David Chokachi Talks About The "Baywatch" Revival In An Exclusive Interview

Who is your favorite character in 'Baywatch'?

David Chokachi (Witchblade), who starred as Cody Madison on 'Baywatch" from seasons 6 to 9, was gracious enough to answer my questions regarding the 'Baywatch" revival series on Fox, which sees Stephen Amell taking over the role of Hobie Buchannon (previously played by Brandon Call and Jeremy Jackson) and sees "Cody running The Shoreline, the unofficially official Baywatch bar-and-grill, and still puts on the red trunks for the occasional shift saving lives. He’s a mentor to and a friend, providing a second home for his fellow lifeguards… and always offering free wings after a big save.”

Q: With your casting, is the show a revival which takes place in the same universe, or a reboot?

The show absolutely takes place in the same universe as the original 'Baywatch'. It has the same heart and soul — the same DNA — but it’s evolved in a smart, grounded way.

Back in the original series, there were moments where we’d read the scripts and then go perform scenes that, even at the time, made us cringe a little — like rescuing someone trapped in an ocean cave with an electric eel, or an alligator living in a storm drain. And I’m not saying that negatively at all — those episodes worked. In fact, that storm-drain alligator episode pulled huge ratings. But that was nearly 30 years ago, and audiences — and storytelling — have evolved.

What’s impressed me most is how thoughtful the creative team has been about adapting without reinventing. When I met with Matt Nix, the showrunner, along with the writers, and heard the vision from Fox and Fremantle, it was very clear: this is not a reboot. It’s essentially picking up where the original series left off — just fast-forwarded about 25 years. I think that’s incredibly smart. You don’t try to reinvent a show that once had over a billion viewers worldwide. You respect it and build forward.

They’ve also added elements we didn’t have back then that really deepen the storytelling. For example, my character now owns a bar where the lifeguards gather after work. That single choice opens up so much opportunity for character development. When you’re on duty, you’re doing the job — rescues, protocol, responsibility. You’re not exactly unpacking your personal life.

In the original show, once the sun went down, the episode usually ended. We found ways here and there to explore life off duty, but this gives us a real, physical space where the action, romance, and drama can continue long after the beach closes. You get to see who these lifeguards really are when they’re not in their reds — when they’re just people dealing with real lives, real relationships, and real problems.

That evolution — while staying true to the original spirit — is what makes this feel like a continuation rather than a reboot, and I think it’s going to resonate in a big way with both longtime fans and a whole new generation.

Q: How and when did they reach out to you to return?

I’ve actually been pushing for a 'Baywatch' return for close to ten years. I stayed in touch with one of the executive producers and we came close once, but it didn’t come together at the time. When I found out that Fox had officially greenlit 12 episodes, I went into full hustle mode.

I’ve remained very close with Greg Bonann, one of the original creators of Baywatch, who also runs the Junior Lifeguard program at Zuma Beach. My daughter is heading into her sixth year this summer and will finally be training with Greg and the A-group, so we’re in regular contact. I’d pick his brain when I could, and I kept hearing there was a lot of back-and-forth creatively, but nothing locked yet.

After 30 years as a working actor, one thing I’ve learned is that when you truly believe in a project — and know you belong in it — you sometimes have to go outside the lines. So I cut together a very specific highlight reel, and luckily, it found its way into the writers’ room and in front of some key decision makers for the new show. They saw it. And they loved it.

At that point, the question wasn’t if — it was how. Specifically, how does a legacy character fit into a show centred around lifeguards half his age? According to someone involved in the decision-making, when the idea came up to bring back a legacy character who not only owns and runs the bar but can still jump into his reds and go full lifeguard mode when needed, the list of actors from the original series who could genuinely pull that off was exactly one name long. That’s when everything clicked.

They loved the idea of what I could bring — not just as a legacy character, but as someone who’s lived a lifetime as a high-level waterman. About two weeks ago, I got the call from my manager and agent. We worked the deal out quickly, and before I knew it, Fox released a really great announcement welcoming me back.

They also invited me to join Stephen Amell, Matt Nix, and McG at the open casting event, which doubled as a major press junket that day — a pretty surreal and full-circle moment.

Q: What was your favorite storyline from the show?

I really loved the relationship between Cody and CJ and the way it evolved over time. Pam and I genuinely had a lot of fun working together. We shared a very similar zest for life, and she’s incredibly funny and quick-witted — which, for me, is always very attractive.

I think part of what made our on-screen chemistry work so well is that I was probably one of the only guys on set who wasn’t trying to hit on her. That created a level of comfort and trust between us. She felt safe, and that allowed us to relax and just be present in the scenes together.

Because of that, what audiences saw didn’t feel forced or performative. It felt authentic. And I think viewers respond to authenticity more than anything — especially in a relationship storyline. The connection felt real because it was grounded in genuine friendship and mutual respect off camera.

Q: What storyline do you want to see for Cody?

I really love the setup that’s been established so far based on what I’ve learned from Matt Nix, the writers, and the creative team at Fox Entertainment. Cody now owns the shoreline bar where the lifeguards gather after work. It naturally puts him in a mentor role — giving advice to the younger guards, offering perspective, and serving as someone they can lean on.

I also love that he gets to help Stephen Amell’s character, Hobie, navigate a complicated relationship with his daughter when she suddenly reenters his life. That dynamic feels grounded, emotional, and very real — and it gives Cody a deeper purpose beyond just nostalgia.

Personally, I’d love to see Cody continue to be involved in as much water work/Rescues as possible. Thats where my real strength is. I have exceptional skills when it comes to driving boats, wave runners, scuba diving, and ocean swimming. The ocean has been a huge part of my life for as long as I can remember. I’ve been surfing for over 30 years. Some of my favorite days filming the original series were the water-work days, when we’d spend the entire day doing action in and on the ocean.

I started sailing when I was seven years old, and the ocean has always been something I’m deeply drawn to. When there’s good surf, it’s like it’s calling me — I can’t focus on anything else until I get in the water. The ocean is incredibly healing for me. When you’re surfing, you have to be completely present, or you wipe out. There’s no past, no future — just the moment you’re in.

And the feeling afterward is pure bliss. That calm stays with me for hours. I can be stuck in traffic, surrounded by noise and stress, and none of it touches me. That’s what the ocean does.

I’d love for Cody’s storyline to reflect that connection — someone who’s still very much capable in the water, still answering the call when it matters, while also being the steady, experienced presence on shore.

Q: Did 'Baywatch' have an easier shooting schedule since the beach scenes were all done in daylight?

I wouldn’t say the schedule was easier at all. Even though most of the beach scenes were shot during daylight, we almost always had two units running simultaneously. First unit handled the dialogue and character scenes, while the second unit was dedicated entirely to water work and action.

If you had a strong presence in an episode, a typical day meant shooting first unit for several hours and then heading straight to second unit for the rest of the day. And daylight doesn’t mean comfort. A lot of mornings were foggy and misty, the ocean temperature was often in the 50s, and you’d be in the water by 6:30 in the morning, jumping in and piecing together complex rescue sequences.

One of the toughest shoots was an episode where some of the top lifeguards in the world from Australia came to compete against us. There was a whole competitive storyline, and one scene involved a night pier swim at Huntington Pier. We were all in Speedos (no wetsuits), the surf was big, the water was freezing, and I was swimming against professional Australian lifeguard competitors — absolute beasts in the ocean.

They had lights and cameras mounted on the pier shooting down into the water, and the scene was a race: sprint into the ocean, fight through the surf, swim out around the pier, and back in. If you know Aussies, they know how to have fun in any situation. When they called action, we charged in — and those guys were literally trying to drown me on camera. They were grabbing my legs, swimming over the top of me — all in the name of Aussie fun.

Afterward, I remember thinking, What just happened? I’m a very strong ocean swimmer, and they almost took me out. But it was a great lesson: no matter how good you think you are at something, there’s always someone out there who’s better.

That moment stuck with me. It’s why I train the way I do now — whether it’s ocean swimming, rucking, lifting, or anything physical. I train with the mindset that I won’t be outworked, and that when it counts, I’ll be the guy who surprises you — the same way those Australians surprised me that night.

Q: Any chance you will shadow directors in the first season to move into directing?

Directing isn’t really my lane. I have enormous respect for directors because their commitment to a project goes far beyond what most people see. They’re involved long before the actors arrive and often long after wrap — especially if they’re part of the edit, which they usually are. It’s a massive responsibility.

What I truly love is inhabiting a character — fully committing to that role for however long the journey lasts — and then moving on to something completely different. That’s what excites me creatively.

With Baywatch, though, I’ll play Cody all day long — and I say when the show is a success, not if. I genuinely believe we have the best possible team behind this series. The writers are incredibly talented, the directors are strong, and our showrunner, Matt Nix, is a seasoned pro with a clear, compelling vision for where this story is going.

McG is directing the first episode and serving as executive producer. His stylized approach is going to give the show a visual identity audiences haven’t seen before. Mike Horowitz and Dante Di Loreto are executive producing as well, alongside the three original executive producers — Greg Bonann, Doug Schwartz, and Michael Berk. And we have the full backing and strong enthusiasm from Fox Entertainment and Fremantle, who truly believe in this project and are investing in giving it every opportunity for long-term success.

For me, that’s where my focus is — bringing everything I can to Cody and helping make this version of Baywatch the best it can possibly be.

Q: What project besides 'Baywatch' are you most approached about?

'Witchblade' — without question. Outside of 'Baywatch', that’s the project I’m most often approached about.

We filmed it in the early 2000s, and it was based on a hugely successful comic book that’s still running today. The writing and character development on that show were unlike anything I’d experienced before. Ralph Hemecker — the showrunner, director of many episodes, and the creative force behind the series — is a true visionary. He brought a stylized look to television that really hadn’t been done before at that level.

As an actor, you know the writing is special when you barely need to read a scene more than once or twice before it fully sinks in. That was 'Witchblade'. The dialogue, the rhythm, the character arcs — it all just worked.

We also had an incredible cast: Yancy Butler, Will Yun Lee, Eric Etebari, Anthony Cistaro, John Hensley, Peter Mensah, Néstor Serrano, Kathryn Winslow, and a lineup of great guest stars, including Roger Daltrey, Jeffrey Donovan, Malin Åkerman, Robert John Burke, and many others who made this show a hit for TNT and Warner Bros.

Add to that a killer soundtrack and an outstanding stunt team led by Ken Quinn and Wade Eastwood, and you had something really special. The show was a hit when it aired, and what’s amazing is how timeless it still feels. You can watch 'Witchblade' today, and it feels like it could’ve been made yesterday.

Q: Being from Boston, what did you think of the Super Bowl and the New England Patriots' chances next season?

Oh man, that one hurt. I’m a die-hard New England Patriots fan, so every Super Bowl is emotional one way or another.

I loved the run Tom Brady had — especially knowing his story. He was written off as “limited” at Michigan, drafted as an afterthought by the Patriots, and then went on to prove everyone wrong, becoming the greatest quarterback of all time. That kind of trajectory — turning doubt into dominance — always resonates with me.

After some rebuilding years, here comes Drake Maye. Different era, but a similar narrative. Early doubts, questions about readiness — and instead of folding, he turned that noise into fuel. I respect that mindset deeply. The unshakable belief in yourself. The resilience. The perseverance. Brady and Maye are two powerful examples for anyone who’s ever been doubted and decided to answer with action.

As for next season? I wouldn’t sleep on the Pats. With Drake Maye under center and Mike Vrabel leading the charge, this team feels hungry. There’s toughness there. Cohesion. A group that looks ready to impose its will.

And if there’s one thing I’ve learned watching New England football over the years — never count them out.

Q: Can you talk about Wings of Rescue and how you got involved with the animal organization?

I’ve been an Ambassador for Best Friends Animal Society since 2000. During the Palisades Fire, Best Friends called and asked if I’d be willing to come to Burbank to help load dogs onto a Wings of Rescue flight. I said yes immediately.

Wings of Rescue is a U.S.-based nonprofit that conducts large-scale air transports for at-risk pets — especially from overcrowded shelters and disaster zones — flying them to partner rescues across the country where space, resources, and often pre-approved adopters are waiting.

That first day we unloaded more than 120 dogs onto the tarmac. It was extremely hot, and time mattered. Ric Browde, the CEO of Wings of Rescue — who not only coordinates the operations but flies with the animals himself — asked if anyone would volunteer to climb into the cargo hold and help load and stack the crates.

I’ve had a deep-rooted love for dogs my entire life. I grew up in Plymouth, Massachusetts, where my parents instilled a serious work ethic in all of us from a young age. I understood immediately that speed and efficiency were critical — not just to stay on schedule, but for the safety and well-being of the animals. It’s always like solving a giant jigsaw puzzle inside those planes. Space is limited, and you never want to leave a single animal behind.

About an hour and a half later, every dog was safely secured. I was drenched in sweat. As I was walking toward my car, Ric asked someone from Best Friends, “Who was that guy? In all my years running this organization, I’ve never had a volunteer work that hard — efficient, problem-solving, and clearly in it for the animals.”

They told him, “That’s the guy from Baywatch.” But that part didn’t matter. What mattered was the work. I went on to load seven more flights. About a month later, Ric called me out of the blue and asked if I would become a volunteer Flight Crew member. I said yes instantly. Since then, I’ve flown on at least 30 missions all over the country, including international transports out of St. Kitts and Puerto Rico.

Over time, I was asked to step into the role of Flight Crew Leader. It’s not honorary — it’s hands-on and operational. I fly with the dogs and cats on these life saving missions, help coordinate loading and unloading, monitor animals during flight, calm stressed dogs, and support the team from start to finish. Outside of being a father to my daughter, it’s the most rewarding work I do.

Beyond the flights themselves, I use my platform to bring awareness to the organization — not as a spokesperson, but as someone who’s in it doing the work. For me, it aligns with how I try to live: show up, serve, don’t ask for credit, and help where help is needed.

I’m also an active member of the Malibu Community Fire Brigade, working alongside Los Angeles County Fire on wildfire readiness and emergency support, and I serve as an ambassador for the Surfrider Foundation, whose mission is to protect our oceans, waves, and beaches.

I don’t share this for ego or attention. One of the biggest reasons I do this work — beyond how meaningful it is to me — is to show my daughter what service looks like. No one wants to be preached to. So I lead by example and try to leave things a little better than I found them — whether that’s for people, animals, or the planet. I don't sit around hoping these issues will solve themselves; I take action.

Are you excited for more 'Baywatch'? Comment below with your thoughts.

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Written By: Dan Lalonde

Photo Credit: Fox/David Chokachi

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