Fox's Revival Of A 37-Year Iconic Show Punches Above Its Weight

Published Sep 11, 2026, 7:30 PM EDT Cher Thompson is a Senior Staff Writer at Screen Rant, where she covers everything from explosive reality TV moments to cast interviews about the twists and turns of scripted dramas. With a background in creative writing, marketing, and teaching, Cher knows how to spot both the storytelling genius and the guilty pleasures in pop culture. Her work blends wit with insight, making readers feel like they’re chatting with a friend who just happens to know way too much about TV. TV history is full of revivals and reboots that never quite justify their existence, but the upcoming Fox revival of a series that's nearly 40 years old seems to be doubling down on why it's necessary even before its debut. While networks have been turning to their existing properties in recent years to flesh out their programming schedules, taking a look at what classic series can be revived into something new, some of the revivals that have come out of the current era aren't as good as they seem, whether it's a story that doesn't work or something more sinister. With the modern TV landscape full of examples of reboots and revivals that have had a tough time finding their footing, seeing shows that are able to cut through the noise is exciting. In the fall 2026 season, one show hopes to prove that it's deserving of its spot in the revival hall of fame, and it's already gotten such praise that it's been renewed for a second season ahead of its release. With other shows moving away from the source material of its original series, the Baywatch reboot appears to be doing exactly the opposite, sticking to its inspiration. While there was originally some skepticism surrounding the Baywatch reboot, the fact that Fox has such faith in the series that it's already slated to return for another season is a great sign for the series. After nearly 40 years, the world may be ready for another version of Baywatch. Fox's Baywatch Was Met With Skepticism When It Was First Announced With so many reboots and revivals that haven't been up to par, hearing that Baywatch was a property that was getting a second life seemed like a strange idea at first. Fox officially ordered a re-imagined version of the series in September 2025, getting a straight-to-series order rather than greenlighting a pilot episode. With 12 episodes in the first season, Baywatch appears to be something that Fox feels strongly about, and while the original series took its time to get on its feet, it appears that the reboot has enough direction that it will work directly out of the gate. The original Baywatch aired more than 200 episodes over the course of a decade, becoming one of the most recognizable shows in the world. With a global impact, the franchise was quiet for quite some time before re-emerging during the 2010s with a movie reboot, but the 2027 TV reboot appears to be something entirely different. With Stephen Amell, Shay Mitchell, Hassie Harrison, Brooks Nader, Livvy Dunne, and Noah Beck rounding out the cast, the first-look photos for the series have spared curiosity among potential viewers. With a revival that will expand the scope of the original series, Baywatch is back. The Baywatch Reboot Is Reportedly Already Renewed For Season 2 Jennifer Graylock/INSTARimages Although Fox has yet to announce it directly, recent developments have made it seem like Baywatch season 2 is already in the works. The series is expected to return to film in Los Angeles, with logistical measures already in place for the show to come back to the public beaches of the area in order to film the outdoor scenes. While logistics don't mean a formal confirmation, it appears that everything is lining up in order for Baywatch to return to Fox for a second season, even if the first doesn't land in the way the network is expecting. Fox's commitment to the Baywatch reboot is great news for the series, and has been evident from the beginning. With the network having given the show a straight-to-series order, Baywatch already has the network's blessing, and while there's still a lot of pressure on the show to perform, knowing that the network is supportive is a great sign. For a franchise that debuted nearly 40 years ago, Baywatch being so accepted by the public and the industry before it even hits the airwaves is an impressive accomplishment. Network FOX, Hulu Showrunner Lara Olsen, Matt Nix Directors Michael Goi, McG Cast Stephen Amell Hobie Buchannon