Baywatch icon reveals why she left the show at 20… and names the cast of the spin-off that never came to be

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A former star of Baywatch recently shared the reason she left the series right before it became hugely popular worldwide.

Nicole Eggert, known for her role as Summer Quinn on the show starring David Hasselhoff between 1992 and 1994, recently shared details about a significant life choice she made during an interview on the Still Here Hollywood podcast.

The actress remembered when she was on the ’80s TV show Charles in Charge with Scott Baio. The show’s creators started talking with the team behind Baywatch, and those conversations led to the idea for a new spin-off series.

According to Eggert, the network executives envisioned a show similar to ‘Beverly Hills 90210,’ but with a beach setting.

She remembered him saying he wanted Nicole to be part of the show. Then David Charvet and others suggested they create a spin-off series – a show about high school students training to be lifeguards at the beach. It would have been a completely separate project.

Eggert was thrilled to be on Baywatch, believing a spin-off series starring him would soon follow.

But the massive success of the show changed everything.

I started on Baywatch when it was being shown in reruns. I was on the show for the first two seasons, and it quickly became the most popular show globally. The producers didn’t want to change anything that was working so well, and they turned down any ideas for a spin-off, wanting to keep the show as it was, she explained.

After appearing for two seasons, Eggert decided to leave the show, explaining that it had changed from what she originally expected.

I used to think leaving the show would somehow free me from the label it had given us actors, but looking back, I was only 20 and had some pretty unrealistic thoughts,” she said with a laugh.

After Nicole Eggert left, Baywatch continued to be a huge hit on television for many years, ultimately becoming one of the longest-running shows ever.

I’ve been a fan forever, and it’s amazing to think this incredible show originally ran for eleven seasons, all the way from 1989 to 2001! Even now, it’s still a huge part of our culture, and it was so cool to see it get a movie adaptation back in 2017.

With a fresh start planned, Baywatch is feeling timely again, even though the recent remake hasn’t been well-received by viewers.

But despite leaving the show, Eggert still holds the idea fondly.

‘And it would’ve been great. I think it would’ve been a great show, and it was a great idea.’ 

She even revealed that a Saved by the Bell icon was once tapped for the project. 

Oh my gosh, Elizabeth Berkley was going to be in it! Can you believe it? Seriously, we had such a fantastic cast lined up, it was going to be amazing. It still makes me think about what could have been, you know? It was a dream team!

In December, Eggert gave her fans a positive update on her fight against breast cancer.

In January 2024, she announced she had been diagnosed with stage two cribriform carcinoma and started chemotherapy. She also had a mastectomy as part of her treatment.

She shared that her recent tests came back clear and her white blood cell count had increased – and she’d achieved this without needing blood injections! She celebrated by blasting music in her car, expressing her excitement and joy.

Fox revealed in September that it’s planning a new version of the classic series, ordering 12 episodes for the 2026-2027 television season.

As a lifestyle expert, I’m excited about the reboot! It centers around Hobie Buchannon – you might remember him as the son of the iconic Mitch Buchannon – now taking the lead as Baywatch captain. He’s joined by a fresh crew of lifeguards, all keeping our Los Angeles beaches safe and sound. It’s really a passing of the torch, and it’s fun to see a new generation stepping up!

The announcement of the cast caused a surprise, as social media influencers Livvy Dunne and Brooks Nader were chosen for the lifeguard roles – they’re more famous for their large Instagram followings than for any acting experience.

I’m so excited about the cast! We’ve got Stephen Amell, Shay Mitchell, and Noah Beck joining the fun, and it’s amazing to have original Baywatch star David Chokachi back as Cody Madison. It really brings a special touch of nostalgia to the show!

When initial photos and video previews were released in March, fans immediately reacted negatively, criticizing the reboot as unoriginal, questioning the casting of influencers, and predicting the story wouldn’t be successful.

A lot of people still seemed bothered by how poorly the 2017 ‘Baywatch’ movie, with Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron, had performed.

One critic posted, ‘Who the hell thought a Baywatch reboot was a good idea?’ 

Okay, I saw this comment and it killed me, honestly. Someone just straight-up said it’s going to be a disaster – a total flop! They were so harsh, asking why anyone would even think this was a good idea. It’s like, can’t people see how amazing it’s going to be?! They said Hollywood’s run out of creativity, but this is pure genius, I swear!

One person jokingly predicted the show wouldn’t last, saying it would be cancelled after just one season because no one was watching. Someone else commented that things feel like they’ve gone backwards since the 1990s.

The cast’s influencer-heavy lineup didn’t go unnoticed either.

One person commented that the script must be terrible if the filmmakers were relying so heavily on influencers instead of professional actors. Another user pointed out that it seems like Hollywood is no longer prioritizing hiring trained actors.

The new Baywatch series follows Hobie, whose life changes when Charlie arrives, wanting to follow in her father’s footsteps and join him as a lifeguard.

Okay, so you guys won’t believe this – Cody Madison, remember him? Total 90s heartthrob? Well, he’s traded in acting for… lifeguarding! He actually owns this amazing bar and grill called The Shoreline – it’s basically the Baywatch hangout. And get this, he still jumps in the red trunks every now and then to do a shift as a lifeguard. Seriously, he’s living the dream!

Michael Thorn, President of Fox Television Network, told Variety that the original Baywatch series was hugely popular and made lifeguards famous. He announced that the show is being revived with Fremantle, promising a contemporary update.

Fox and Fremantle are teaming up with the creators of the original series, Matt Nix and Greg Bonann, to revive Baywatch for a new audience. The reboot will feature new characters, exciting storylines, and the same high-energy action that made the show famous worldwide.

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2026-04-08 01:04