Shay Mitchell is heading to the beach.
Fox announced Wednesday that Mitchell has been cast in the Baywatch reboot as a series regular. She joins the show as Trina, a former lawyer who walked away from a top-tier firm to become a full-time lifeguard.
Mitchell is best known for starring as Emily Fields across all seven seasons of Pretty Little Liars. In the show’s first season — which aired on ABC Family (now Freeform) — her character came out as gay. Speaking with The Hollywood Reporter ahead of the series’ 15-year anniversary in June, Mitchell reflected on how the role helped advance LGBTQ+ representation on TV.
“Emily was such a trailblazer, especially at that time and on that network,” she said. “It was super important. That storyline is such a crucial one. I wish it had been a lot more common, but her character really started the conversation for so many people, and continues to.”
Mitchell has also appeared in Netflix’s You and Hulu’s Dollface. She is the founder and chief creative officer of travel and lifestyle brand Béis.
The upcoming Baywatch series will consist of 12 episodes and is slated to premiere during the 2026–27 season. The show hails from Fox Entertainment and Fremantle, which holds the rights to the original series.
The original Baywatch debuted in 1989 and starred David Hasselhoff.
Additional cast members joining Mitchell include Stephen Amell as series lead Hobie Buchannon, Jessica Belkin as Charlie Vale, Hassie Harrison as Nat, Thaddeus LaGrone as Brad, Brooks Nader as Selene and Noah Beck as Luke. David Chokachi will reprise his role as Cody Madison from the original series.
Matt Nix (The Gifted, True Lies) serves as showrunner and executive producer. McG, Michael Berk, Greg Bonann, Doug Schwartz, Dante Di Loreto and Mike Horowitz also executive produce. McG (The O.C., Charlie’s Angels) will direct the pilot.
Mitchell is represented by Linden Entertainment, WME and Grubman Shire Meiselas & Sacks.
