The 'Baywatch' Reboot Is Leaning Into Nostalgia, Starting With a Familiar Face

The red swimsuits and slow-motion jogging sequences are coming back, and so is a face longtime fans already know.

The upcoming reboot of Baywatch is tapping David Chokachi for a recurring role, making him the first original cast member officially confirmed to return. Chokachi played Cody Madison during the show’s sixth through ninth seasons, a stretch when the series was fully entrenched as a global pop-culture phenomenon.

Chokachi’s character is positioned as a bridge between generations. In the new series, Cody runs The Shoreline, a Baywatch-adjacent bar and grill that doubles as a hangout for lifeguards. He still suits up when needed, still mentors the team, and still lives close to the action. It’s a role designed to ground the reboot in familiarity, anchoring the new cast to the show’s legacy before the next wave of nostalgia inevitably rolls in.

Chokari Isn't the Only Tie to the Original 'Baywatch'

Chokachi’s return comes just days after news broke that Stephen Amell will headline the series as an adult Hobie Buchannon. Hobie, once the barefoot kid running around Malibu Beach, is now a Baywatch captain himself, stepping into the shadow of his legendary father Mitch. The reboot’s core story revolves around Hobie navigating leadership, legacy, and the sudden arrival of a daughter he never knew he had.

This approach fits the franchise’s long-standing habit of never fully letting go of its past. Baywatch has always treated nostalgia as a feature, not a crutch. When the Baywatch movie hit theaters, it didn’t shy away from that history. David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson both appeared as themselves, turning their cameos into celebratory moments rather than blink-and-you-miss-it jokes.

Will 'Baywatch' Bring Back Other Original Cast Members?

Chokachi’s casting suggests the reboot plans to build on the shows iconic recognition instead of reinventing the wheel. He wasn’t the face of the franchise in the way Hasselhoff or Anderson were, but he represents the era when Baywatch was at full throttle, airing in over 200 countries and drawing massive weekly audiences. Bringing him back first feels intentional. Familiar enough to spark nostalgia. Low-key enough to leave room for bigger surprises later.

And history suggests those surprises could come. Over the years, Baywatch alumni have remained closely tied to the brand. Carmen Electra has said she’d be open to returning, albeit with some hesitation about spending too much time in the ocean. Hasselhoff has never exactly distanced himself from the role that made him an international icon. Even decades later, the show’s extended family continues to orbit the franchise.

The reboot is set to film this spring in Venice Beach and on the Fox Studio Lot, placing it squarely back in the environment that defined the original series. It’s being produced by Fox Entertainment and Fremantle, with Burn Notice creator Matt Nix serving as showrunner. McG, who directed the 2017 film, is also on board to direct the premiere episode.