Erika Eleniak, a former star of the original Baywatch series, has been spotted on the set of the upcoming reboot, marking her first appearance in the franchise in over 30 years. The 56-year-old actress will reprise her role as Shauni McClain in a guest capacity, according to Deadline. The reboot, produced by Fox and Fremantle, also features original cast member David Chokachi and new stars Brooks Nader, Shay Mitchell, and Livvy Dunne.
Eleniak shared her excitement about returning to the show on Instagram, expressing enthusiasm for reuniting with Chokachi and meeting the new cast. Fans have reacted positively to the news, with many celebrating the nostalgia and hoping for more original cast members to join the reboot. The series is set to air in the 2026–2027 season.
In her upcoming storyline, Shauni, now a city councilwoman in Santa Monica, will assist Hobie Buchannon in organizing the first-annual Beach Games. The event will feature Baywatch lifeguards competing against the Coast Guard. Notably, Hobie, originally played by Jeremy Jackson, has been recast with Stephen Amell, who will portray the character as the captain of the Baywatch team—a role previously held by his father, Mitch Buchannon, played by David Hasselhoff.
Eleniak’s return adds to the growing list of original cast members involved in the reboot, following Chokachi’s confirmation. The reboot aims to blend nostalgia with new talent, capturing the spirit of the original 1990s series while introducing fresh faces to modern audiences.