Shay Mitchell says ‘Baywatch’ reboot role felt like wearing a superhero suit

Shay Mitchell is stepping into one of television’s most iconic worlds, and she’s still thinking about the red swimsuit.

The Pretty Little Liars star is set to play Trina in the upcoming Baywatch reboot, which reimagines the classic lifeguard drama for a new generation.

Speaking about her experience on set, Mitchell described slipping into the famous red lifeguard outfit as a surreal moment.

“Putting on the red outfit… I was like, ‘This is insane,’” she said, adding that it felt “like putting on a superhero outfit minus the cape.”

The actor revealed that the swimsuit itself has become the one item she would most like to keep from the set.

“That will definitely be something I take out of this show,” she said, noting that the costumes stand out as a memorable part of filming.

Mitchell plays Trina, a lawyer who leaves a big firm behind to become a full-time lifeguard, according to production details reported by The Hollywood Reporter.

The reboot also stars Brooks Nader, Livvy Dunne, and Stephen Amell, and is expected to follow a new generation of lifeguards patrolling Southern California.

At the Fox Upfront 2026 event, Mitchell also leaned into nostalgia, wearing a vintage T-shirt featuring the original Baywatch cast. She credited her stylist for helping her choose the look, saying it was a deliberate tribute.

“We had to pay respect to the OG cast, and that’s the whole reason why we’re here,” she said.

The original Baywatch series debuted in 1989 and became a global pop culture staple, running for 11 seasons before ending in 2001. Mitchell says that legacy is part of what makes the reboot feel timely.

“It had action in it, and it was just a really fresh take,” she said of the original series. “We’re hoping to do the same.”

The reboot is slated to premiere on Fox in 2027.