Original 'Baywatch' Star Erika Eleniak Joins Reboot

Eleniak will reprise her role as Shauni McClain in a guest starring capacity.

Apr. 16, 2026 at 12:00am

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An extreme close-up of shimmering gold sequins and glittering disco ball fragments, captured in dramatic high-contrast studio lighting to create a glitzy, high-fashion aesthetic representing the glamour of the 'Baywatch' reboot.The 'Baywatch' reboot promises to recapture the glamour and nostalgia of the original series with the return of iconic cast members.Los Angeles Today

Erika Eleniak, who starred in the first two seasons of the original 'Baywatch' series, has joined the reboot at Fox. Eleniak will reprise her role as Shauni McClain, a former Baywatch lifeguard who is now a Santa Monica city councilwoman. She will return to the beach to help Hobie Buchannon (Stephen Amell) kick off the annual 'Beach Games' between Baywatch and the Coast Guard.

Why it matters

The 'Baywatch' reboot is a highly anticipated revival of the iconic 1990s television series that launched David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson to global stardom. The return of Eleniak, an original cast member, adds to the nostalgia factor and will likely appeal to longtime fans of the show.

The details

Eleniak starred in the first two seasons of the original 'Baywatch' series before departing at the beginning of Season 3. In the reboot, her character Shauni McClain will return to the beach to help Hobie Buchannon (Stephen Amell) kick off the annual 'Beach Games' between Baywatch and the Coast Guard. Eleniak joins a cast that includes returning cast member David Chokachi as Cody Madison, as well as newcomers Jessica Belkin, Shay Mitchell, Hassie Harrison, Thaddeus LaGrone, Brooks Nader, Noah Beck, Livvy Dunne, and Nadia Gray.

  • The 'Baywatch' reboot is set to premiere on Fox as part of the 2026-2027 season.

The players

Erika Eleniak

An American actress who starred in the first two seasons of the original 'Baywatch' series before departing at the beginning of Season 3. She is now reprising her role as Shauni McClain in the reboot.

Shauni McClain

A former Baywatch lifeguard who is now a Santa Monica city councilwoman. She will return to the beach to help Hobie Buchannon kick off the annual 'Beach Games' between Baywatch and the Coast Guard.

Hobie Buchannon

A character played by Stephen Amell in the 'Baywatch' reboot. Shauni McClain will return to the beach to help him kick off the annual 'Beach Games'.

David Chokachi

An actor who is reprising his role as Cody Madison from the original 'Baywatch' series in the reboot.

Matt Nix

The showrunner for the 'Baywatch' reboot, who is executive producing alongside director McG, Michael Berk, Greg Bonann, Doug Schwartz, Dante Di Loreto and Mike Horowitz.

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What’s next

The 'Baywatch' reboot is set to premiere on Fox as part of the 2026-2027 season.

The takeaway

The return of Erika Eleniak, an original 'Baywatch' cast member, to the reboot series adds to the nostalgia factor and will likely appeal to longtime fans of the show. The reboot aims to continue the storyline of the iconic 1990s series that launched several stars to global fame.