Original ‘Baywatch’ Star Erika Eleniak Returning for Reboot

April 17, 2026

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The original Baywatch and its adventures of lifeguards patrolling the beaches of Los Angeles featured a largely rotating ensemble of actors. With the premise of the series often resulting in its stars wearing skimpy swimsuits, the show was typically a stepping stone in a star’s career, as they could use their small-screen clout to transition to big-screen notoriety. From the original season of the show, David Hasselhoff stuck around the longest, as he starred in ten seasons and then left for Season 11.

With a reboot of the show on the way, it has largely been unclear how a Baywatch reboot would connect to what came before it, if there was any connection at all. As confirmed by Variety, we now know that Erika Eleniak is set to reprise her role of Shauni McClain, having starred in the first three seasons of the original show. This time around, Shauni will be a Santa Monica city councilwoman who will connect with Stephen Amell’s Hobie Buchannon as he tries to arrange the annual “Beach Games.” Hobie is the son of Hasselhoff’s Mitch Buchannon.

Eleniak marks the second confirmed star of the original series who will be appearing in this reboot. It was previously announced that David Chokachi will appear as his former character Cody Madison, who starred in Seasons 6 through 9.

Holly Gagnier and Erika Eleniak star in ‘Baywatch’

NBC

Prior to starring in 45 episodes of Baywatch, Eleniak had roles in The Blob and the TV series Charles in Charge. Her work in Baywatch opened up the door for roles in movies like Under Siege, The Beverly Hillbillies, and Chasers. During her final year on Baywatch, the series added Pamela Anderson, Nicole Eggert, David Charvet, and Alexandra Paul, who helped boost the series’ profile. Yasmine Bleeth, Gena Lee Nolin, Donna D’Errico, Traci Bingham, and Carmen Electra joined in subsequent seasons, which boosted those performers’ notoriety.

Arguably the most successful actor who got their start in Baywatch is Jason Momoa, who has since starred in Game of Thrones, Aquaman, and A Minecraft Movie, and he’s about to unveil his Lobo in Supergirl.

Outside of Arrow star Amell, the cast of this reboot is full of up-and-coming actors, influencers, and personalities, which consists of Jessica Belkin, Shay Mitchell, Hassie Harrison, Thaddeus LaGrone, Brooks Nader, Noah Beck, and Livvy Dunne. In 2017, a cinematic adaptation landed in theaters that starred Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson, Zac Efron, Alexandra Daddario, and Priyanka Chopra. With Johnson playing the role of Mitch Buchannon, it was somewhat perceived as a reboot, though Pamela Anderson briefly reprised her role of Casey from the original show and Hasselhoff also had a cameo.