Huge 90s TV show to return 22 years after it was axed from ITV

Huge ’90s TV show which ran for 11 seasons and turned its stars into household names is ‘in talks’ to return… 22 years after it was axed

The 90s hit drama Baywatch could be returning to screens soon – with ‘talks’ for a reboot in the works.

The American hit, which premiered in September 1989 and went on for 11 seasons until 2001, made international stars of David Hasselhoff and Pamela Anderson. 

And now, Fremantle has reportedly been developing a reboot of the classic beach drama series.

According to Deadline, the British TV giant has ‘held early talks’ with ‘a number of broadcasters and streamers’.

Meanwhile, there are currently no creatives attached to the reboot, the publication added.

Big return? The 90s hit drama Baywatch could be returning to screens soon – with ‘talks’ for a reboot in the works 

The action drama series followed a group of lifeguards who patrolled the beaches of Los Angeles, California, and Hawaii. 

Despite being canceled after its first season, it was later brought back and became the most-watched show of its time – with an estimated weekly audience of one billion viewers.

The fan-favourite cult classic has since become a pop culture phenomenon and has inspired numerous spinoffs, reboots, and parodies.

Baywatch producer Pearson Television North America announced it was ending in 2001, by which point the show had moved to Hawaii.

President and CEO Brian Harris said at the time: ‘The economics associated with bringing the program back could not be justified.

‘It has been an amazing success story, but over the last couple of years, one wouldn’t have been surprised with this announcement.

‘This is a logical and natural end to the show.’

The main show also spawned the short-lived spinoff Baywatch Nights and two movies.

Iconic: The American hit, which premiered in September 1989 and went on for 11 seasons until 2001, made international stars of David Hasselhoff (right) and Pamela Anderson (left)

Plot: The action drama series followed a group of lifeguards who patrolled the beaches of Los Angeles, California, and Hawaii 

Success: Despite being canceled after its first season, it was later brought back and became the most-watched show of its time – with an estimated weekly audience of one billion viewers

Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding showing the moment Mitch Buchanan gets married, aired in 2003.

The format was also revived for the Baywatch movie starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Zac Efron in 2017.

Back in 2018, Fremantle International COO Bob McCourt told Deadline that a remake has ‘definitely been discussed’, but the mixed reaction from the 2017 film put a pin in plans.

‘I think we thought the film might have given us reason to reboot the TV series, but given the mixed reviews that didn’t happen straight away,’ he said when discussing remastering old episodes of the show in high definition.

‘I think if this remastered version is sold extensively and a new audience comes to Baywatch, then it will give us a real indication as to whether a new series could be successful.

‘We would definitely think seriously about making a new series and maybe we’ll get approached by some broadcasters about making one.’ 

Mixed reviews: The format was also revived for the Baywatch movie starring Dwayne ‘The Rock’ Johnson and Zac Efron in 2017

Original Baywatch cast member David Chokachi previously said he had pitched a reboot, but believes the film led to his ideas being quashed.

‘I had pitched them, they rebooted every show from the ’90s and I’d say half of them were hits,’ Chokachi said in 2020 during an episode of The Production Meeting.

‘I was like, “Why are you guys lagging on this, why didn’t you try and strike?”… Then the movie came out and the movie squashed any idea.

‘CBS was going to do the show, I had a meeting with them, a location scout. Then the movie came out and instead CBS went with Magnum P.I. that year.’

Meanwhile, speaking recently, Pamela Anderson revealed she still has the swimsuit she wore on the hit TV series Baywatch.

The 55-year-old star shot to fame as lifeguard C. J. Parker on the 1990s action-drama show and revealed that she has kept one of the famous red garments she wore over the course of five seasons.

And the beauty – who has said she doesn’t get good residuals from the show – said she likes to slip it on every so often.

‘I had a couple back then. Now I only have one and it fits,’ shared the mother of two, who is promoting her new memoir and documentary.

‘I put it on every once in a while,’ she told Entertainment Tonight. 

Wow! Meanwhile, speaking recently, Pamela Anderson revealed she still has the swimsuit she wore on the hit TV series

The former Playboy model – who has used her celebrity status to front numerous animal rights campaigns over the years – left the series in 1997.

But she returned to the role in 2017 for a cameo appearance in the movie spinoff.

However, Anderson admitted she only agreed to take on the part once more after ‘a lot of bullying.’

The ex of Tommy Lee also shockingly claimed bosses had expected her to do it for free.

She said: ‘It was becoming really, really awful. They said they wanted me to do it as a favor. 

‘I said, “I do favors for animals, not for Paramount.” 

‘There was just so much bullying to do it. They wanted me to do it for free, as an homage or something. I said, “Come on, guys. I mean, really?”‘

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