Actress Jessica Belkin Joins 'Baywatch' Reboot

The 'Hunting Wives' and 'American Horror Story' star will play the long-lost daughter of the Baywatch captain.

Published on Mar. 4, 2026

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Fox's upcoming Baywatch reboot has added actress Jessica Belkin, 23, in a central role opposite Stephen Amell and original series star David Chokachi. Belkin will play Charlie Vale, the long-lost daughter of Amell's Baywatch captain Hobie Buchannon, who shows up at his door seeking to become a Baywatch lifeguard.

Why it matters

The Baywatch reboot aims to revive the popular 1990s TV series, which was known for its iconic red swimsuits and high-stakes beach rescues. Belkin's casting as a new central character adds a fresh dynamic to the show's legacy, as her character Charlie navigates a complicated relationship with her estranged father while pursuing her dream of joining the Baywatch team.

The details

Belkin, best known for roles in Netflix's 'The Hunting Wives' and 'American Horror Story: Hotel', will play Charlie Vale, a 'fearless, passionate, and occasionally reckless' young woman who leaves behind a 'complicated' home life in Galveston to seek out her father Hobie Buchannon, the Baywatch captain, with the goal of earning a spot as a Baywatch lifeguard. Her character is described as having 'all the makings of a Buchannon legend', though she has 'a lot to learn' and may find her estranged father to be the mentor she's always needed.

  • The Baywatch reboot is set to premiere on Fox during the 2026-27 season.
  • Production on the new series is scheduled to begin in Los Angeles this spring.

The players

Jessica Belkin

A 23-year-old actress known for her roles in Netflix's 'The Hunting Wives' and 'American Horror Story: Hotel', who has been cast in a central role for the Baywatch reboot.

Stephen Amell

The lead actor in the Baywatch reboot, playing the role of Hobie Buchannon, the Baywatch captain and father of Belkin's character.

David Chokachi

An original Baywatch series star who is reprising his role as Cody Madison, now running 'The Shoreline', the unofficial Baywatch bar-and-grill.

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What’s next

Production on the Baywatch reboot is scheduled to begin in Los Angeles this spring, ahead of the show's premiere on Fox during the 2026-27 season.

The takeaway

The casting of Jessica Belkin, a rising young actress, as the long-lost daughter of the Baywatch captain adds a fresh dynamic to the reboot of the iconic 1990s series. Her character's journey to earn a spot on the Baywatch team while navigating a complicated relationship with her estranged father promises to bring new depth and intrigue to the beloved beach rescue drama.