Stephen Amell is trading his superhero suit for a pair of red trunks.
The ‘Arrow’ star has landed the lead role in Fox’s upcoming ‘Baywatch’ reboot, marking the first confirmed casting for the series. Fox picked up the show for the 2026-2027 broadcast season back in September 2025 with a 12-episode order, and production is set to begin this spring in Los Angeles. The network will host an open casting call for the show on February 18.
Amell will play Hobie Buchannon, described as the “wild child we all loved from the original series” who’s now a Baywatch Captain following in the footsteps of his legendary father, Mitch. According to the official character description, “Hobie’s world is turned upside down when Charlie, the daughter he never knew, shows up on his doorstep, eager to carry on the Buchannon family legacy and become a Baywatch lifeguard alongside her dad.”
The role keeps the 43-year-old in the broadcast world after recently leading NBC’s short-lived ‘Suits’ spinoff ‘Suits LA.’ He’s best known for playing Oliver Queen, a.k.a. Green Arrow, in The CW’s ‘Arrow,’ which aired for eight seasons and crossed over into multiple DC superhero shows. His recent credits also include Starz’s pro wrestling drama ‘Heels’ and films ‘Code 8 Parts 1 & 2.’
Showrunner Matt Nix shared his excitement about the casting:
“From the first conversation, Stephen Amell brought exactly what this new chapter of ‘Baywatch’ demands: heart, intensity, and that undeniable hero energy. He’s the kind of lead who can sprint into danger, carry the emotional weight, and still make it feel fun. We’re so excited to get started.”
Hobie Buchannon appeared in the original ‘Baywatch’ across multiple seasons, played first by Brandon Call and later by Jeremy Jackson. The series debuted in 1989 on NBC, airing for one season before moving into syndication for the remainder of its 11-season run with nearly 250 episodes. At its peak, ‘Baywatch’ was the most-watched show in the world, airing in over 200 countries. The ensemble cast included David Hasselhoff as head lifeguard Mitch Buchannon and helped launch careers for stars like Pamela Anderson, Jason Momoa, Yasmine Bleeth, and Carmen Electra.
Nix executive produces alongside McG (who’s also directing the premiere episode), Michael Berk, Greg Bonann, Doug Schwartz, Dante Di Loreto, and Mike Horowitz. The series is co-produced by Fox Entertainment and Fremantle.