Fox announced on Thursday that Livvy Dunne, the former LSU gymnast turned social media personality, has joined the network’s Baywatch reboot in a recurring role. Dunne will play Grace, described by producers as “a highly enthusiastic junior lifeguard,” and is set to appear alongside a cast led by Stephen Amell and Shay Mitchell. The series is slated for the 2026–2027 broadcast season after Fox ordered 12 episodes in September 2025. Producers Fremantle and Fox Entertainment say the show will mix returning legacy characters with new lifeguards and community set pieces.
Key Takeaways
- Livvy Dunne joins Fox’s Baywatch reboot as a recurring character named Grace, billed as an enthusiastic junior lifeguard.
- The series was picked up by Fox in September 2025 with a 12-episode order for the 2026–2027 season.
- Stephen Amell will lead as Hobie Buchannon; Shay Mitchell, Jessica Belkin, Hassie Harrison, Thaddeus LaGrone, Brooks Nader, Noah Beck and David Chokachi are also in the cast.
- David Chokachi is returning to reprise his original role of Cody Madison; Chokachi’s character now runs The Shoreline bar-and-grill and occasionally lifeguards.
- Livvy Dunne is a former LSU gymnast who became a social media figure with more than 15 million followers and has appeared on the Sports Illustrated swimsuit cover.
- Production credits include showrunner Matt Nix and executive producers McG, Michael Berk, Greg Bonann, Doug Schwartz, Dante Di Loreto and Mike Horowitz; McG will direct the premiere.
- The series is a co-production between Fox Entertainment and Fremantle; Fox Entertainment Global holds domestic distribution rights while Fremantle handles international sales.
- Dunne is represented by Brillstein Entertainment Partners and The Team, per industry notices.
Background
The Baywatch franchise, launched in the late 1980s, became an international television staple and has been periodically revived in various forms, most recently as a 2017 feature film. The reboot effort aims to blend nostalgia with contemporary television production values, leveraging recognizable character names while introducing new arcs and younger cast members to broaden appeal. Fox’s decision in September 2025 to commission a 12-episode season reflects a midstream strategy among broadcast networks to hedge investment against audience fragmentation.
Livvy Dunne’s path to the role is rooted in sport and digital media. A former LSU gymnast, she rose to prominence as one of the highest-earning female college athletes before transitioning into full-time content creation; she now totals more than 15 million followers across platforms and has expanded into fashion and media projects. Casting social media figures in scripted television is an increasingly common approach to bring built-in audiences to linear and streaming launches.
Main Event
On Thursday, Fox and co-producer Fremantle announced Dunne’s casting as Grace, a junior lifeguard whose enthusiasm is expected to contrast with more seasoned characters on the beach. The network framed the role as recurring, meaning Dunne will appear in multiple episodes rather than a single guest spot, but the precise number of episodes was not disclosed. Her addition follows a broader casting effort that included a day-long open casting call to find additional players for the new series.
Stephen Amell is cast as Hobie Buchannon, now a Baywatch captain and the son of original lead Mitch Buchannon. The revival’s logline says Hobie’s life is upended when Charlie, a daughter he never knew, arrives seeking to carry on the family legacy. Jessica Belkin will play Charlie Vale; Shay Mitchell is cast as Trina; Thaddeus LaGrone will portray Brad; Hassie Harrison is Nat; Brooks Nader appears as Selene; Noah Beck is Luke; and David Chokachi returns as Cody Madison.
Behind the scenes, Matt Nix serves as showrunner with McG among the executive producers; McG is also set to direct the pilot episode. The series’ business arrangement places domestic distribution with Fox Entertainment Global and international sales under Fremantle, a setup intended to optimize reach for both U.S. broadcast and overseas buyers. Casting announcements have emphasized a mix of legacy continuity and new interpersonal storylines to attract both legacy fans and younger viewers.
Analysis & Implications
Casting a high-profile social media figure like Livvy Dunne signals the production’s intent to tap built-in digital audiences as part of its launch strategy. Dunne’s 15 million-plus followers can provide marketing lift on platforms where younger viewers spend time, potentially increasing tune-in for a broadcast slot that faces stiff competition from streaming. However, social reach does not automatically translate into sustained linear viewership; scripted performance and ensemble chemistry will matter to critics and long-term audience retention.
The presence of legacy cast members such as David Chokachi and the naming of Hobie Buchannon as a central figure indicate the reboot is leaning into continuity rather than a full reboot from scratch. That choice can attract longtime fans but also requires balancing reverence for franchise history with fresh storytelling. The 12-episode order is modest by streaming standards but fairly typical for broadcast network midseason or limited-season experiments, giving producers room to refine the show while limiting upfront exposure risk.
From a business perspective, the co-production model with Fremantle and Fox positions the series for multi-territory monetization. Fremantle’s international sales expertise can help secure licensing deals abroad, while Fox’s domestic distribution control keeps primary ad and syndication economics in-house. Success metrics will likely include linear ratings, delayed viewing, social engagement and international sales performance.
Comparison & Data
| Item | Detail |
|---|---|
| Pickup date | September 2025 |
| Episode order | 12 episodes |
| Premiere window | 2026–2027 broadcast season |
| Showrunner | Matt Nix |
| Lead cast (selected) | Stephen Amell, Shay Mitchell, Jessica Belkin, Livvy Dunne, David Chokachi |
The table above summarizes the production basics disclosed to date. Compared with recent broadcast reboots, a 12-episode initial order fits a conservative investment profile; some reboots receive larger initial commitments, while others are trialed with even shorter runs. For Baywatch, the balance of legacy names and new media talent will determine early critical and commercial reception.
Reactions & Quotes
Producers and trade outlets framed Dunne’s casting as part of a broader effort to blend legacy and new talent. Industry coverage emphasized both the show’s lineage and its contemporary casting choices.
“a highly enthusiastic junior lifeguard.”
Fox/Fremantle (casting announcement, reported by Variety)
This brief character description has been used by producers in publicity materials to signal the tone of Dunne’s role rather than outline plot specifics. The phrase suggests a youthful, energetic presence intended to complement more experienced lifeguards in the ensemble.
“The wild child Hobie Buchannon we all loved from the original series is now a Baywatch captain…”
Fox/Fremantle (series logline, reported by Variety)
The logline, provided by producers and relayed in trade coverage, frames the series around family legacy and mentorship, positioning Hobie as a bridge between the franchise’s past and its new generation of characters.
Unconfirmed
- The exact number of episodes in which Livvy Dunne will appear has not been disclosed.
- The show’s premiere date during the 2026–2027 season (specific month/week) has not been announced.
- Financial terms of Dunne’s contract and production budget figures were not released publicly.
Bottom Line
Livvy Dunne’s casting as Grace adds a high-profile digital influencer to Fox’s Baywatch reboot, a clear signal that producers want to combine nostalgic franchise elements with contemporary audience reach. The 12-episode order and series leadership under Matt Nix and McG suggest a controlled, quality-focused rollout designed to test audience appetite for a legacy-forward revival.
Key unknowns remain—most notably Dunne’s episode count and the show’s exact launch timing—so early assessments should focus on chemistry among the ensemble and initial audience engagement metrics. If the series successfully translates social media interest into sustained viewership and strong international sales, it could become a model for how legacy IP is relaunched for a fragmented media landscape.
Sources
- Variety — Trade press coverage of casting and production details (reported information and producer logline)