More than three decades after she patrolled the beaches as Shauni McClain, Erika Eleniak is heading back to Baywatch. The 56-year-old actress recently shared photos from the set of the upcoming FOX reboot, giving longtime fans their first look at her return to the franchise.
According to TV Insider, her appearance will begin as a cameo, with the episode currently scheduled to air in January 2027. But Eleniak already has bigger hopes. She wants to return as a regular if the series reaches a second season, and she would love to bring Billy Warlock back as Eddie Kramer for a reunion that could revive one of the original show’s most memorable romances.
Erika Eleniak Shares a Sneak Peek at Her ‘Baywatch’ Comeback
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Eleniak posted several behind-the-scenes photos from filming, including shots of herself on the beach wearing an olive green jumpsuit and white tie-front cardigan. Along with celebrating her return, she asked fans whether they would watch if Shauni and Eddie reunited. Her question quickly brought enthusiastic responses from viewers who still remember the couple.
Fans filled the comments with support for seeing both characters back together. Some called Shauni and Eddie the best couple on Baywatch, while others said they wanted the reboot to undo the separation revealed years later. One follower even remarked that Eleniak looked as though she had never left the series.
Shauni and Eddie’s Romance Still Means Something to Fans
In the original series, Shauni and Eddie began as lifeguards who frequently clashed before their relationship slowly turned into friendship and romance. They eventually became engaged and married during Season 3. Their story gave the action-heavy beach drama a romantic thread that many viewers continued to remember long after both characters left.
The 2003 reunion movie Baywatch: Hawaiian Wedding later revealed that the couple had separated, which helps explain why fans reacted so strongly to the possibility of another chapter. The original Baywatch ran for 11 seasons from 1989 to 2001, and the new version will mix returning faces with a fresh cast when it premieres in January 2027. For Erika Eleniak, even a brief return offers a chance to reconnect with a role that remains deeply tied to ’90s television nostalgia.