Stephen Amell Reveals the Unsexy Reality of Filming Baywatch

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Baywatch may be all sunshine and tan bodies on the screen.

Filming the new Baywatch series isn’t as glamorous as it looks. Stephen Amell, who plays Hobie Buchannon, can confirm that the reality of shooting on the beach is far from romantic.

He jokingly told TopMob News at the FOX Upfront on May 11th that people probably don’t want to hear this, but he remembers watching Baywatch in Toronto in the early 90s. He explained that while the show makes you think the water and air temperature are warm – around 82 and 84 degrees – that’s definitely not the case.

He continued, “So, getting in the water when the water is freezing cold is just part of the job.”

Filming the series, which features stars like Shay Mitchell, Brooks Nader, Noah Beck, and Livvy Dunne, wasn’t easy. Besides the freezing water, the cast and crew also had to deal with sand.

“It’s really tough running on sand,” Stephen said. “I thought I was decent at holding my breath, but I’ve realized I needed to get much better at it.”

In short, as he put it, “It’s just a very physically challenging show.” 

Plus, the revealing swimsuit costumes are a far cry from the 45-year-old’s time on Arrow. 

I’m not wearing any bulky superhero armor, so there’s no padding to enhance my physique. It’s just me in a swimsuit, and getting into good shape has been a really great feeling.

Although the original Hobie, Jeremy Jackson, sent supportive messages online, Stephen hasn’t asked him for advice on how to play the character now.

Honestly, it’s like he’s completely reinvented himself – he really stressed that this is a ‘new Hobie.’ He’s matured, and things have changed for him, so he’s just focusing on being himself and doing his own thing now, which I totally respect.

I’ve noticed he really connects with the character he plays, especially when it comes to being a dad. It’s clear it’s a personal thing for him! He and his wife, Cassandra Jean Amell, are parents to two wonderful kids – a 12-year-old daughter, Alexandra, and a 4-year-old son, Bowen. You can tell that fatherhood really resonates with him, and it definitely comes across in his work.

He described Hobie as remarkably calm under pressure, even when things are falling apart. However, when it comes to his own daughter, even simple tasks seem to overwhelm him and he gets flustered.

He said the experience has been insightful, showing him he can cope well under pressure. However, personal issues, like when his daughter is ill, really affect him and he struggles to stay composed.

The new series Baywatch will debut on FOX in January 2027. In the meantime, check out these other shows about lifeguards to keep you entertained!

-Reporting by Nikaline McCarley

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2026-05-12 23:56