Baywatch, once the most-watched TV series in the world, is returning to the small screen with a new installment.
The hit series, which originally aired from 1989 to 2001, is getting a fresh reboot featuring an all-new cast led by Stephen Amell. The revival, also titled Baywatch, is scheduled to premiere early next year.
The network announced the premiere date alongside a promotional image of the cast. However, the first look quickly drew criticism for one aspect many viewers found troubling.
Highlights
- The upcoming Baywatch reboot has drawn criticism following the release of a new promotional image featuring its cast.
- The image has revived discussions about the original series’ history with diversity and representation.
- Recent developments involving the Emmys and The Pitt have added to the wider debate over representation in Hollywood.
Baywatch reboot faces criticism after new promo featuring the lead cast
Reports of a Baywatch revival first surfaced in 2018. After years of development, the series was formally greenlit in September 2025 and received a 12-episode direct-to-series order.
In October 2026, the series was announced to premiere on January 6, 2027, on Fox.
At the same time, the network unveiled a new promotional still featuring the cast, led by Stephen Amell as Baywatch Captain Hobie Buchannon.
The cast also includes Brooks Nader, Hassie Harrison, Jessica Belkin, Livvy Dunne, Noah Beck, and Thaddeus LaGrone, while David Chokachi returns as Cody Madison from the original series
After the cast photo appeared online, many fans on X pointed out that Thaddeus LaGrone’s Brad appeared to be the only Black character represented in the image. The observation prompted criticism of the reboot's approach to diversity.
“Diversity is adding 1 black guy and calling it a day,” one user said.
Another wrote, “They did not cast a black woman.”
“I hate when you can tell the black person was a diversity hire,” a third added.
Some viewers criticized the limited representation of women of color, noting that most of the actresses pictured are white.
Original Baywatch star recalled painful experience as a Black actor on the show
Other viewers compared the reboot to the original series, which faced similar criticism over its lack of cultural and ethnic diversity
Like the reboot, the original series faced questions about representation, with no people of color initially included among its lead actors.
Gregory Alan Williams, a Black actor who played Garner Ellerbee, initially appeared in a recurring role before joining the main cast.
In the docuseries After Baywatch: Moment in the Sun, Williams reflected on his time working on the hit series in the 1990s, recalling an incident that left him feeling sidelined.
Williams recalled being invited to a promotional beach photoshoot, only to be told that his presence was unnecessary. He later explained:
"I realized that I was not what they were selling. Baywatch was a show that celebrated European beauty."
Efforts to broaden representation on the show continued in its later seasons.
Alexandra Paul, who played lifeguard Stephanie Holden, said she had asked the producers to give her character “a boyfriend of color.”
However, the producers planned to introduce a Latino character tied to gang violence. As a result, Paul criticized the choice for reinforcing harmful stereotypes.
In season 7, Traci Bingham became the series' first woman of color to join the cast, playing Jordan Tate and quickly became a fan favorite.
Hollywood’s lack of diversity was criticized after the recent Emmy Awards
The latest Emmy Awards renewed conversations about racial representation in television, with viewers questioning the absence of actors of color among the major acting winners.
At the 78th Primetime Emmy Awards, held on September 14, 2026, all 12 major acting prizes went to white performers. Some viewers argued that Black actors, including Sterling K. Brown for Paradise and Janelle James for Abbott Elementary, were overlooked
The results prompted criticism from viewers who felt that the awards overlooked performers of color.
“It’s a shame that exceptional black actors and other actors of color were shut out,” one person said.
Another wrote, “The Emmys are so white, and that’s why it’s so boring.”
“I don’t think the problem is that the wrong people won. The problem is that poc aren’t being cast in spectacular roles in the first place,” a third added.
The Emmy-winning medical drama The Pitt has faced criticism over its portrayal of women of color, particularly after Tracy Ifeachor's character was written out following the first season
The show later faced further backlash after reports emerged that Supriya Ganesh, who plays Dr. Samira Mohan, would leave following season 2.
"Baywatch should just stay in the 90s": Fans have low expectations for the new series after the first trailer
