LA County Officials Gather to Discuss the Future of ‘Baywatch’ Filming in Venice
Fox’s reboot of Baywatch is facing challenges in its production schedule, but local officials in Los Angeles County are committed to ensuring the show remains in the area, despite reports of a potential move from Venice Beach.
On Friday, LA County Supervisor Lindsey Horvath convened with city officials, production personnel, and agency representatives at Fox Studios. The meeting focused on addressing logistical hurdles and government regulations that have impacted filming.
Los Angeles City Councilwoman Traci Park emphasized that the show “was never leaving Venice or Los Angeles,” as reported by ABC7 Los Angeles.
“The city, county, and production team are deeply committed to the success of this marquee effort,” Park stated. “We are excited to meet the needs of their expanded footprint in Venice and all along the coast.”
Filming is set to take place through July, thanks in part to a $21.1 million tax credit from the California Film Commission. Horvath noted that the recent meeting also resulted in updates to the Coastal Development Permit, benefiting future productions.
“Bringing Baywatch back to Los Angeles is not just important — it’s essential to sustaining our local economy and reinforcing our position as the global capital of the entertainment industry,” Horvath stated. “While challenges are inherent to any production, what defines success is how quickly and effectively we address them.”
The meeting also discussed the need for greater flexibility in production hours, expanded parking availability, and the establishment of a dedicated on-set liaison.
Jhamal K. Robinson, head of production for Fremantle, expressed gratitude for the ongoing collaboration, stating, “We’re incredibly grateful to everyone involved in bringing this production to life. Filming continues on Venice Beach and at other locations across Los Angeles County.”
In the reboot, Hobie Buchannon (Stephen Amell), originally portrayed as a wild child, now serves as a Baywatch Captain, following the legacy of his father, Mitch (played by David Hasselhoff in the original series). The storyline takes an unexpected turn when Charlie (Jessica Belkin), a daughter Hobie never knew he had, appears at his doorstep, intent on following in her father’s footsteps as a lifeguard.
The reboot received a 12-episode straight-to-series order from Fox in September, following a development period that began in winter 2024.
