Lead: On Feb. 18, 2026 at the Marina del Rey Marriott, an open casting call that drew more than 2,000 hopefuls coincided with the public reveal that Stephen Amell will play Hobie Buchannon in Fox and Fremantle’s Baywatch reboot. Production is slated to begin in March on Venice Beach and the Fox lot in Century City, with Matt Nix as showrunner and McG executive producing and directing the first episode. Amell told reporters he actively pursued the part, has begun physical and mental preparation, and will lean on experience rather than chasing a twenty-something physique. The casting surge underscored both the property’s enduring pull and the production’s economic footprint in Los Angeles.
Key Takeaways
- More than 2,000 actors packed the Marina del Rey Marriott on Feb. 18, 2026 for an open Baywatch casting call hosted by Fox and Fremantle.
- Stephen Amell was confirmed this week to play Hobie Buchannon; production is scheduled to start in March 2026 in Venice Beach and on the Fox lot in Century City.
- Matt Nix is the showrunner; McG is attached as executive producer and will direct episode one, while Jessica Lowrey is set to direct episodes two and three.
- Amell said he actively pursued the role and is preparing with sustainable nutrition and consistent gym work rather than extreme short-term transformations.
- The reboot will spotlight a storyline in which Hobie’s life shifts when Charlie, the daughter he never knew, arrives hoping to follow the Buchannon lifeguard legacy.
- Producers and cast framed the project as a California-based production expected to create local employment and honor first responders in the state.
Background
The original Baywatch, long associated with the 1990s beach-lifesaving drama led by David Hasselhoff as Mitch Buchannon, became a global cultural touchstone after its 1989 launch. Reboots and legacy continuations have been a frequent trend in television as studios mine known brands for built-in audiences. For Baywatch, that legacy brings both opportunity and scrutiny: producers must balance nostalgia with contemporary storytelling and local production realities.
Open casting calls have become a visible tactic for high-profile reboots, signaling both an attempt to discover fresh faces and a public-relations moment that demonstrates local engagement. In this case, the thousands who attended the Marina del Rey event reflect strong community interest in on-location production in Los Angeles—a point producers emphasized as beneficial for local jobs and for authenticity in a show so closely tied to California’s coastline.
Main Event
The Feb. 18 open call filled the lobby, ballroom and corridors of the Marina del Rey Marriott as hopefuls—many in red swimwear and some carrying rescue cans—waited to audition for roles on the new series. The public gathering amplified attention on the reboot and highlighted the logistical scale of casting for ensemble-driven, physically demanding shows. Industry figures on site included showrunner Matt Nix and executive producer McG; director Jessica Lowrey was also noted as participating in the early episode slate.
Stephen Amell, best known for his lead role on Arrow, said he actively sought the part after hearing positive reports about Nix’s leadership and after being encouraged by colleagues. Producers described Amell as taking an intentionally sustainable approach to preparation—prioritizing nutrition and steady training—rather than rapid, short-lived physical transformations to match much younger castmates.
The series will center Hobie Buchannon and a newly introduced character, Charlie, the daughter Hobie never knew, who arrives determined to carry on the family tradition as a Baywatch lifeguard. Executive producers have framed the arc as both a personal family story and a chance to showcase the lifeguard profession and California first responders.
Analysis & Implications
Economically, staging principal photography in Venice Beach and on the Fox lot is likely to generate local hires for production crews, extras, vendors and related services—an often-cited selling point for keeping shoots in California. That argument resonates with both civic leaders and industry unions campaigning for more on-location work, especially for projects tied to a region’s identity. The public open call also functions as a practical recruitment tool and a marketing moment that signals community access to the entertainment economy.
Culturally, the reboot faces the familiar tension of honoring the original while updating tone, casting and themes for contemporary viewers. Casting a seasoned television lead as Hobie, who will be portrayed as a veteran among younger lifeguards, positions the series to explore intergenerational dynamics rather than simply replicating the franchise’s glossy surface. That approach may broaden appeal beyond nostalgia-seeking viewers to those interested in character-driven drama.
From a production standpoint, the timeline—casting revealed in mid-February with a March start—creates compressed prep windows. That schedule pressures wardrobe, stunt coordination, and logistics, particularly for water sequences. The series’ success will depend in part on how well the creative team balances ambitious beach-set action with feasible, safe shooting practices that respect cast and crew welfare around cold Pacific conditions.
Comparison & Data
| Title | Open Call Attendance | Production Start | Primary Locations |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2026 Baywatch Reboot | >2,000 (Marina del Rey, Feb. 18, 2026) | March 2026 (planned) | Venice Beach; Fox lot, Century City |
| Original Baywatch | N/A (traditional casting 1989–2001) | 1989 (series launch) | Primarily California locations |
The table highlights the visible public interest in the reboot via a large open call, compared with the original series’ traditional casting pipeline. That public interest can translate into marketing momentum but also raises expectations for authenticity and local impact.
Reactions & Quotes
“I chased this job — I wanted it. There was a moment after getting it where I thought, ‘What am I going to do now?’”
Stephen Amell, interview with The Hollywood Reporter
“No matter how hard I work, there will be younger cast members who can just roll out of bed and look the part; my focus is to bring other strengths as the veteran.”
Stephen Amell, interview with The Hollywood Reporter
Unconfirmed
- The exact March 2026 filming start dates and episode production schedule have not been publicly released by Fox or Fremantle.
- The full principal cast beyond Stephen Amell and the character details for Charlie have not been officially disclosed at the time of reporting.
- The final size and composition of the crews and the total number of local hires resulting from on-location production have not been independently verified.
Bottom Line
The Baywatch reboot’s high-profile open call and Stephen Amell’s casting underscore both the franchise’s persistent cultural cachet and producers’ intent to root the series in California production. Amell’s willingness to pursue the role and to emphasize sustainable preparation signals a pragmatic approach to joining a physically demanding ensemble while leaning on experience and character work.
As production moves toward March, key indicators to watch include additional principal casting announcements, how the show balances legacy elements with contemporary storytelling, and measurable local economic outcomes from filming in Venice Beach and Century City. For viewers and industry observers alike, the series will be a test of whether a familiar brand can be refreshed for a new era without losing the community and workforce benefits that local production can deliver.