Fox has secured a script+penalty deal for a reboot of the iconic TV series “Baywatch.” The new version of the show will be led by showrunner Lara Olsen, known for her work on “Spinning Out.” The original “Baywatch” series, created by Michael Berk, Douglas Schwartz, and Gregory J. Bonann, starred David Hasselhoff and ran from 1989 to 1999. It was later retooled as “Baywatch Hawaii” from 1999 to 2001.
The new “Baywatch” will be a one-hour drama and will feature daring ocean rescues, pristine beaches, and the iconic red bathing suits that made the original series famous. It will also introduce a whole new generation of Baywatch lifeguards who navigate complicated personal lives. The reboot aims to showcase the idea that there’s the family you’re born into and the family you find.
This isn’t Fox’s first venture into the world of “Baywatch.” The network previously aired the TV reunion movie “Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding” in 2003. The original series had a star-studded cast over the years, including Pamela Anderson, Yasmine Bleeth, Alexandra Paul, Erika Eleniak, Nicole Eggert, and Parker Stevenson, among others. David Hasselhoff also starred in a spinoff series called “Baywatch Nights,” which aired from 1995 to 1997.
“Baywatch” was a syndication sensation, airing in over 145 countries and earning the title of the “No. 1 series in the world,” according to its PR company. The show’s concept was inspired by Bonann’s experience as a Los Angeles County lifeguard. After years of pitching the idea, Bonann met Berk and Schwartz, and together they developed “Baywatch” for Grant Tinker’s GTG shingle. Although CBS initially had a series commitment, they passed on the pilot, titled “Baywatch: Panic at Malibu Pier.” NBC then picked up the pilot as a movie, which led to a 12-episode season.
Despite its initial flop on NBC, the producers managed to buy back the rights to the show from GTG and produced new episodes in syndication. They secured various investors, including LBS and an earlier version of Fremantle, which saw the popularity of Hasselhoff in Germany. All-American TV and Pearson TV also became involved in the production and distribution of the show. Eventually, FremantleMedia, now known as Fremantle, acquired the rights to “Baywatch” through a series of mergers.
The idea of a “Baywatch” reboot has been discussed in the past, and in 2017, a film adaptation starring Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron was released, grossing $178 million globally. Lara Olsen, the showrunner for the new “Baywatch” reboot, has experience in reviving classic TV franchises. She has previously worked on the revivals of “90210” and “Beauty and the Beast” at The CW. Her other credits include “Blood and Treasure,” “Reign,” “Life Unexpected,” and “Private Practice.”
With Fox securing the script+penalty deal for the “Baywatch” reboot, fans can look forward to a new generation of lifeguards hitting the beach. The series promises to deliver the same thrilling action and personal drama that made the original show a worldwide phenomenon.