David Hasselhoff’s Baywatch Era Looms Large as Reboot Adds Original Star David Chokachi and Opens Casting Call

The new Baywatch reboot has confirmed the return of original series actor David Chokachi in the role of Cody Madison, a move that underscores the franchise’s ties to its past and the continuing resonance of david hasselhoff’s original run. The casting news arrives as the series prepares for in-person auditions and the start of production.

What happened and what’s new: David Hasselhoff connection and the Chokachi return

The rebooted series has added David Chokachi, who will reprise the character Cody Madison. The project has already set a production timetable: a 12-episode order was secured for the 2026–2027 broadcast season, an open casting call is scheduled for Feb. 18, and production is slated to begin this spring in Los Angeles. Stephen Amell is attached as the series lead, playing Hobie Buchanon, described as the son of the franchise’s original head lifeguard.

In the updated character description, Cody Madison now runs The Shoreline, described as the unofficially official Baywatch bar-and-grill, and still puts on the red trunks for occasional shifts saving lives. The role frames Cody as a mentor figure and a social hub for the lifeguard team, with a lighter touch noted in the mention of free wings after a big save.

Behind the headline

The reboot arrives with a creative team anchored by a named showrunner and several executive producers. The showrunner will oversee the series, while an executive producer will direct the premiere episode. Production is a joint effort between the network’s entertainment division and an international production company. These elements indicate an intent to blend legacy franchise recognition with a contemporary broadcast rollout, leveraging familiar characters to connect older audiences while staging auditions to find new talent for visible lifeguard roles.

David Chokachi’s return ties the new series explicitly to the franchise’s history. Chokachi originally joined the earlier run of the show in its sixth season and remained through the ninth. His credits include roles on cable drama and a young-adult surf series, plus several film appearances. Representation for Chokachi is listed with two talent agencies.

What we still don’t know

• Which other original cast members, if any, will appear in the reboot.
• Full casting breakdown for new lifeguard roles beyond the series lead and Chokachi’s return.
• Specific production schedule dates and the precise timeline for filming and postproduction.
• How closely the reboot’s tone and format will mirror the original series versus the 2017 film adaptation.
• Details on episode storylines, writers’ room composition, and distribution plans beyond the initial order.

What happens next

• Open casting call proceeds on Feb. 18: the production may fill several principal and recurring lifeguard roles from these auditions; strong audition turnout would accelerate on-camera casting decisions.
• Principal photography begins this spring in Los Angeles: a smooth start could keep the series on track for the planned broadcast season; scheduling delays could push back the premiere window.
• Additional legacy casting announcements: if more original performers are added, the series may lean further into nostalgia; otherwise, it may emphasize a younger ensemble with selective legacy guest spots.
• Marketing and rollout strategy development: early promotional material that highlights returning characters alongside new leads will shape audience expectations and initial ratings potential.

Why it matters

The reboot’s combination of legacy casting and new lead placement seeks to balance franchise recognition—rooted in the era that made david hasselhoff a global identifier for the original show—with contemporary broadcast ambitions. A return by an original cast member provides a tangible link for longtime viewers and can serve as a narrative bridge for introducing new characters to a broader audience. Near term, the casting call and production timetable will determine the show’s ability to meet its intended season slot and influence early public perception. Over the longer term, how the reboot leverages legacy figures and establishes its own identity will affect audience reach, syndication prospects, and the brand’s standing in a crowded scripted-TV marketplace.