Baywatch Reboot Brings the Heat as Original Star David Chokachi Returns

Time to dust off the red trunks. Baywatch is officially headed back to TV, and the reboot just reeled in a familiar face to make the water feel a little more, well, Baywatch-y.

Who is running in slo-mo this time?

Days after the announcement that Stephen Amell (yes, Oliver Queen himself from the Arrowverse) is leading the new Fox take as Hobie Buchannon, we now have a legacy return: David Chokachi is back as Cody Madison.

• Stephen Amell is playing Hobie Buchannon, the role originally played by Jeremy Jackson. For anyone new here, Hobie is the son of legendary lifeguard Mitch Buchannon, made iconic in the 90s by David Hasselhoff.
• David Chokachi reprises Cody Madison, who joined the original series in season 6 and stuck around through the end of season 9. Back then, Cody was best known as a top-tier swimmer. In the new series, he has traded the tower for a business license.

So what is Cody up to now?

In the reboot, Cody owns The Shoreline, the hangout spot that has basically become home base for the team. He still jumps back on duty when needed, mentor vibes fully engaged, and yes, there is a perk for heroic days at the office.

"The Shoreline, the unofficially official Baywatch bar-and-grill, and still puts on the red trunks for the occasional shift, saving lives. He is a mentor to and a friend, providing a second home for his fellow lifeguards... and always offering free wings after a big save."

Why this matters

Bringing Chokachi back as Cody gives the new Fox series a clean line to the original show's later seasons, while handing fans a character who can bridge old and new. Pair that with Amell stepping into Hobie, and this reboot is leaning hard into the legacy-done-fresh approach.

More lifeguards are surely on the way. For now, Amell in the Buchannon family and Chokachi behind the bar is a solid start.