A legendary naiad from Baywatch will return in the new series
Sexy icon of the first seasons of the cult series, Erika Eleniak will make her return in the sequel to Baywatch, dedicated to Mitch Buchannon’s son.
She was a sex symbol of the 1990s, an incendiary blonde from the beaches of California in the first seasons of Baywatch, starred on the cover of Playboy before playing a tender-hearted stripper alongside Steven Seagal in the cult action film, Trap on the High Seas (1992)…
Erika Eleniak is preparing to return to action in the sequel to Baywatch. Aged 56, the one who made her film debut in Spielberg’s ET (she played the classmate kissed by Elliott) joins the cast and will reprise her iconic role of Shauni McClain, as a guest star (in one or two episodes).
Shauni McClain was the female star of the first two seasons of the original series, alongside David Hasselhoff, before giving way to Nicole Eggert (Summer Quinn), then Pamela Anderson (CJ Parker), then Yasmine Bleeth (Caroline Holden) and Carmen Electra (Lani McKenzie).
So what happened to her after all these years away from the fine sand? A former lifeguard, Shauni is now elected to the Santa Monica City Council. She will return to the beach to help Hobie Buchannon – now played by Stephen Amell – launch the “Beach Games”, a competition pitting the Baywatch champions against the coast guard.
Erika Eleniak admits to being “very excited” at the idea of returning and meeting another veteran of the slow race, David Chokachi, also back in the shoes of Cody Madison.
The new cast will be led by Stephen Amell, but also Jessica Belkin (Charlie Vale), Shay Mitchell (Trina), Hassie Harrison (Nat), Thaddeus LaGrone (Brad), Brooks Nader (Selene), Noah Beck (Luke), Livvy Dunne (Grace) and Nadia Gray (Lisa).
Decades after the Baywatch phenomenon, the franchise is attempting a new plunge. This time, with a series that continues the original story. At the helm, Matt Nix serves as showrunner, supported in particular by director McG. Filming is currently taking place in Los Angeles.
The 2026 version of Baywatch is expected in the United States on Fox for the 2026-2027 season.
