Baywatch is coming back to TV, but surprisingly, one major original cast member hasn’t chimed in on the new version yet!
In a world dominated by reboots and sequel series, it was probably inevitable that Baywatch would return. The famed 1990s TV series has name value and the classic storyline of a team of lifeguards involved in various rescue missions in Southern California.
Fox tried to replicate that with 2024’s short-lived Rescue: Hi-Surf. That only lasted one season, with Fox deciding to just go ahead and make a new Baywatch, set to debut in early 2027 (yes, a beach-themed show coming out in winter).
The new version has Stephen Amell as a grown-up Hobie Buchannon, who was played first by Brandon Call and then Joshua Jackson for the majority of the show’s run. He’s following in his dad’s footsteps, heading up the Baywatch team, only to find one of the recruits (Jessica Belkin) is the daughter he never knew he had.
At the Fox upfronts, Amell spoke with Extra about the series and asked the inevitable question: whether Hasselhoff would appear as Hobie's father, Mitch. Surprisingly, it sounds like so far the two actors haven’t touched base on this new take yet.
“No, he hasn’t. I certainly would welcome the advice. My character is trying to survive his father’s… very long shadow.”
Belkin added that she’d also like to have Hasselhoff involved since she’s playing Mitch’s granddaughter. Fans can hope for this, too, as Baywatch without Hasselhoff doesn’t seem right.
Why we need Hasselhoff on Baywatch
The story of Baywatch is still amazing. In 1989, it looked like a typical rescue drama, airing on NBC with David Hasselhoff in his first big post-Knight Rider role. He played Mitch Buchannon, a former NAVY seal now leading a lifeguard team in California. The series had some good stunts and drama, but failed to find an audience and was canceled after its first season.
Hasselhoff was determined and took the show into syndication. It hit at the right time, eventually broadcast worldwide to a massive international audience, making it, for a time, the most-watched show on television. It also pushed new stars like Pamela Anderson, Carmen Electra, and a young Jason Momoa. Yet it was always Hasselhoff who pulled viewers in with Mitch's adventures (including the infamous Baywatch Nights spinoff).
The show ended in 2001, followed by a 2003 Fox TV movie. A 2017 big-screen film with Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron included a Hasselhoff cameo. One would expect him to pop in at some point for this new version to check in on Hobie’s progress. It’s also natural that Mitch would want to meet Hobie’s daughter and offer some advice on being a dad. The show will already welcome back original cast member Erika Eleniak and the possibility of more past actors showing up.
It seems impossible to imagine Hasselhoff doesn’t take part at some point. The man has made a good career mocking his own image and playing on his past roles. Given how Baywatch is probably his most iconic role, the producers have to already be planning for Mitch to come in at some point, if only to pass the torch to Amell.
Hopefully, that happens as the new Batwatch is set to craft a new generation of excitement in 2027.
Baywatch premieres on Fox in 2027.
Add us as a preferred source on Google