Los Angeles is where television was born, and the rebooted Baywatch is making a stand to keep it that way. Showrunner Matt Nix says the new series will remind the entertainment industry that there are still enormous advantages to filming in the City of Angels, even as more productions flee to other states and countries.
The iconic lifeguard drama, which helped define California's image for a generation, secured a $21.1 million tax credit from the California Film Commission. That's 40 percent of its production costs, and it signals that the state is finally waking up to the economic reality that Hollywood needs to stay competitive.
Why is the Baywatch reboot filming in Los Angeles?
Nix, a native Californian, told Deadline that shooting in L.A. was a major reason he signed on to the project. He boarded the long-gestating series while first responders were practically living at his house during last year's devastating wildfires.
“I've been very aware of the challenges facing production in Los Angeles, but I'd love to remind the broader Hollywood community that there are also enormous advantages to shooting here,” Nix said. “People say it's impossible to shoot in L.A., but it isn't.”
He points to the obvious: the beach is the beach. You can't fake that anywhere else. And with the actors already living in Southern California, the logistics make sense.
What role does Stephen Amell play in the Baywatch reboot?
Stephen Amell, best known for his role in Arrow, steps into the red shorts as Hobie Buchannon, son of David Hasselhoff's legendary Mitch Buchannon. The new series follows Hobie's daughter returning to his life, determined to follow in his footsteps and train as a lifeguard.
Amell, who grew up in Toronto, remembers watching the original series as a kid and dreaming of California.
“When you watched the show as a kid in Toronto in February, you wondered, 'Is that a real place? Can you really go there and live?' It created this aspirational view of California,” Amell said.
He admits there's pressure taking on a role tied to such an iconic character, but he's approaching it with a clear mindset: this is a father-daughter story set against the backdrop of Baywatch.
Who is Noah Beck and how did he join the cast?
Noah Beck brings a modern twist to the cast. The former soccer player and TikTok sensation broke out during the pandemic and found his way into acting. He's too young to remember the original series, but he understands the weight of the red shorts.
“There's a massive responsibility when you put on those red shorts. It almost felt like putting on superhero armor every morning,” Beck said.
Beck, who lives in California, knows his social media following can open doors, but he's determined to prove he belongs on merit.
When does the Baywatch reboot premiere on Fox?
The reboot launches on Fox next year, with Fremantle selling the series at MIPCOM Cannes this year. Amell says thoughts have already turned to Season 2, but he's staying focused on the work ahead.
The show represents more than just entertainment. It's a bet that Hollywood can still compete, that the industry's roots in Los Angeles still matter, and that American production can thrive at home.
As Nix puts it, we forget at our peril that the TV and movie business began in Hollywood. With the right incentives and the right attitude, it can stay there.