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Baywatch Alum Erika Eleniak Covers Up Tattoos for Revival Role
The '90s icon is reprising her role of Shauni McClain on the Fox reboot of the classic beach drama.
Apr. 16, 2026 at 10:10pm
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The 'Baywatch' revival aims to recapture the nostalgic glamour of the original 1990s series with a new generation of lifeguards.Santa Monica TodayErika Eleniak, who played lifeguard Shauni McClain on the original 'Baywatch' series, was spotted on set of the Fox revival covering up her colorful sleeve tattoos to reprise her iconic role. The 56-year-old actress, who exited the show in its third season, is returning as Shauni, now a Santa Monica city councilwoman, to help kick off the annual 'Beach Games' competition.
Why it matters
The 'Baywatch' revival is bringing back several familiar faces from the original 1990s series, including Eleniak and David Chokachi, as the show aims to recapture the nostalgia and popularity of the classic beach drama. Eleniak's return as Shauni, with her tattoos covered, signals the production's commitment to staying true to the original character designs and aesthetics.
The details
Eleniak was photographed on the set wearing a dark green tank top and matching slacks with a cropped, white linen shirt. Her hands and arms were visibly bare, with no trace of the elaborate tattoos that typically cover both of her arms, including a skull, spiderwebs, a wolf, a monarch butterfly, and other eccentric designs. The actress, who starred in the first two seasons of 'Baywatch' from 1989 to 1992, is reprising her role of the girl-next-door lifeguard Shauni McClain, who is now a Santa Monica city councilwoman.
- Eleniak was spotted on set filming the 'Baywatch' revival on Thursday, April 16, 2026.
- Eleniak starred as Shauni McClain in the first two seasons of the original 'Baywatch' series from 1989 to 1992.
The players
Erika Eleniak
A 56-year-old actress who is reprising her role of Shauni McClain, the girl-next-door lifeguard, on the Fox reboot of 'Baywatch.'
Shauni McClain
Eleniak's character on the original 'Baywatch' series, who is now a Santa Monica city councilwoman in the revival.
What they’re saying
“It was kind of a great time to go because my swansong was the introduction of C.J. Parker, Pamela Anderson's character. And I mean, they hit the lottery.”
— Erika Eleniak
What’s next
The 'Baywatch' revival is set to premiere as part of the 2026-2027 season on Fox, with Eleniak and David Chokachi reprising their roles alongside new stars like Brooks Nader, Shay Mitchelle, Noah Beck, and Livvy Dunne.
The takeaway
Eleniak's return to 'Baywatch' as Shauni McClain, with her iconic tattoos covered up, signals the revival's commitment to honoring the original series' aesthetic and character designs. As a familiar face from the 1990s show, Eleniak's presence will help bridge the nostalgia of the past with the new generation of lifeguards.
