This isn’t a drill, and no, you don’t need to run in slow-motion to believe it: Baywatch is heading back to the small screen. After years of speculation and the occasional wave of nostalgia, Fox has officially ordered a reboot of the iconic lifeguard drama, according to Variety. The upcoming series, greenlit for 12 episodes, will mark Baywatch’s return to television more than two decades after its original run came to a close. Set to air during the 2026–2027 broadcast season, the new version promises a familiar dose of beachside heroics, personal drama, and, of course, the signature red swimsuits.
Matt Nix, best known for creating Burn Notice (2007-2013) and The Gifted (2017-2019), is on board as showrunner and executive producer. He’ll be joined by some very familiar names: original creators Michael Berk, Greg Bonann, and Doug Schwartz are returning to steer the reboot.
“In its first run, Baywatch defined an entire era of beach life and elevated lifeguards to an iconic status. Now, with our partners at Fremantle, this television juggernaut is set for a modern-day comeback,” said Michael Thorn, President of FOX Television Network, in a press release statement. “Together, FOX and Fremantle, along with Matt Nix and original co-creator Greg Bonann, will bring the California dream to a whole new generation of fans with fresh stories, rising stars and all the spectacle that make the Baywatch franchise a global sensation.”
First launched in 1989 on NBC, Baywatch stumbled out of the gate and was cancelled after just one season. But a switch to syndication saved it, and what followed was an unlikely rise to global dominance. With more than a billion weekly viewers at its peak, Baywatch turned lifeguards into icons, and stars like David Hasselhoff (Knight Rider), Pamela Anderson (The Naked Gun), and Yasmine Bleeth (Nash Bridges) into household names. Despite tepid critical reviews, the show’s influence endured, riding a potent mix of sun-soaked visuals, dramatic rescues, and a universal escapism that struck a chord with audiences around the world.
Production details remain under wraps and there’s no word yet on casting, but with strong creative leads and a studio eager to reinvigorate its catalogue of recognisable IP, Baywatch stands a solid chance at finding its footing again. If it gets the casting right, finds its voice, and manages to honour what worked while evolving with the times, Baywatch 2.0 might just be the reboot nobody knew they needed… until now.
Natalie is a big fan of anything related to movies, TV shows, and anime — you name it. When she’s not reading or being a dedicated cinephile, she’s probably playing gacha and tabletop games, or daydreaming of Caleb from Love and Deepspace.
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