In a career pivot that has sent shockwaves across social media, former LSU gymnastics sensation Livvy Dunne is officially trading her leotard for a red swimsuit.
The 23-year-old social media powerhouse has been cast in FOX’s upcoming Baywatch reboot, marking her professional acting debut.
Confirming the news on X (formerly Twitter) this week, Dunne responded to a casting report from Deadline with an enthusiastic, “Time to get to work!!!”
The announcement comes just months after Dunne retired from competitive gymnastics following a historic NCAA National Championship win with the Tigers in April 2025.
A New Role for the World’s Biggest Sports Influencer
In the new iteration of the legendary lifeguard drama, Dunne will take on the recurring role of Grace, described by production insiders as a “highly enthusiastic junior lifeguard.”
The role seems a natural fit for Dunne, whose athletic prowess and bubbly online persona have already garnered her over 15 million followers across TikTok and Instagram.
While fans might see this as a sudden move, Dunne has been quietly preparing for the spotlight behind the scenes.
In a recent interview with People, the New Jersey native revealed she has been diligently taking acting lessons.
“One thing people would be surprised about is that I take acting lessons and I really love it,” Dunne told People. “It’s something I’ve been passionate about for quite some time. I was interested in doing that at LSU, but sports are your top priority when you’re a student-athlete.”
Now that she has graduated and moved on from the mat, Dunne says she finally has the mental and physical bandwidth to lean into her creative side.
“I love collaborating on creative ideas and seeing the end result when something great comes together,” she added.
The Baywatch reboot, which is slated to premiere during the 2026-2027 television season, is already shaping up to be a cultural event.
Leading the series is Stephen Amell (Arrow, Heels), who steps into the role of Hobie Buchannon.
In a twist that bridges the original series with the new, Amell’s Hobie is now the Captain of the Baywatch team, following in the footsteps of his father, the legendary Mitch Buchannon (originally played by David Hasselhoff).
The plot reportedly thickens when Charlie Vale (played by Jessica Belkin), the daughter Hobie never knew he had, arrives on the scene determined to join the family business.
Joining Dunne and Amell is fellow Louisiana native and Sports Illustrated model Brooks Nader. Nader will portray Selene, the sharp-tongued Captain of the rival Zuma Beach lifeguards.
Her character is expected to serve as a foil to Amell’s Hobie, with their friction providing a central pillar for the show’s drama.
The cast is further rounded out by:
- Shay Mitchell (Pretty Little Liars) as Trina, a former lawyer turned lifeguard.
- Noah Beck, social media star and athlete, as rookie Luke.
- David Chokachi, reprising his fan-favorite role as Cody Madison from the original 90s series.
Bringing back Baywatch is no small feat. The original series was a global juggernaut, at one point holding the title of the most-watched show in the world with over 1.1 billion weekly viewers across 142 countries.
While a 2017 film adaptation starring Dwayne “The Rock” Johnson and Zac Efron leaned heavily into comedy and failed to ignite a long-term franchise, this FOX revival is being positioned as a “continuation” and a “reimagining.”
Under the guidance of showrunner Matt Nix (Burn Notice) and director McG, the show aims to balance high-stakes ocean rescues with the complex, messy personal lives of its young cast.
For Dunne, this is more than just a TV gig; it’s the beginning of a brand evolution. Since signing with the powerhouse agency Wasserman last year, she has pivoted from a collegiate athlete to a global entertainment brand.
Her boyfriend, Pittsburgh Pirates pitcher Paul Skenes, has been a vocal supporter of her transition into acting, often appearing in her content as she navigates her post-LSU life between Florida and New York.
With production officially underway in Venice Beach, the industry is watching closely to see if the “Livvy Dunne effect” can translate from smartphone screens to the high-stakes world of network television.
If her track record of breaking records is any indication, the beaches of Malibu are about to get a lot more crowded.