Livvy Dunne Lands Her First Acting Gig — And the Baywatch Reboot Might Instantly Become Must-Watch TV

Every once in a while a casting announcement comes out that makes the internet collectively say the same thing.

“Yeah… I’ll probably be tuning in for that.”

That’s exactly what happened this week when former LSU gymnastics star and social media superstar Olivia Dunne officially landed her first acting role in the upcoming reboot of the iconic TV series Baywatch.

The 23-year-old will play Grace, an enthusiastic junior lifeguard, in what will be her first real acting role after retiring from gymnastics and shifting her focus toward entertainment.

And respectfully speaking…

This might immediately become must-watch television.

From LSU Gymnastics to Hollywood

Dunne’s rise over the last few years has been pretty wild.

She became one of the most recognizable names in college athletics during her time at LSU Tigers women's gymnastics, helping LSU win a national championship and becoming one of the highest-earning college athletes during the NIL era.

But even while she was competing, Dunne had already started building a massive brand off the mat.

Between Instagram, TikTok, and sponsorships, she turned herself into one of the biggest social media personalities in sports, with millions of followers across platforms.

After finishing her gymnastics career in 2025, she began taking acting lessons and started exploring opportunities in entertainment — something she had been interested in for years but didn’t have time for while competing at LSU.

Now she’s getting her first big shot.

And it happens to be in one of the most recognizable TV franchises ever.

The Return of an Iconic Show

For anyone who grew up in the 90s, Baywatch was more than just a TV show — it was a cultural phenomenon.

The original series ran for over a decade, starring David Hasselhoff and launching the careers of stars like Pamela Anderson and Carmen Electra.

The show followed lifeguards patrolling the beaches of California, mixing action, drama, and slow-motion beach runs that somehow became one of the most recognizable visuals in television history.

Now the show is getting a modern reboot, with a new cast and a fresh take on the original concept.

The new version will include actors like Stephen Amell, Shay Mitchell, and several other rising stars alongside Dunne.

And yes… the iconic red swimsuits are still very much part of the show.

Livvy Dunne in a Red Lifeguard Suit? Yeah, People Are Going to Watch

Let’s just say what everyone on the internet is already thinking.

Casting Livvy Dunne in a Baywatch reboot feels like a pretty natural fit.

She’s athletic.

She’s comfortable on camera.

And she already has one of the biggest followings in sports and entertainment.

When Dunne teased the role on social media, she even posted a photo wearing a red lifeguard-style swimsuit while reading the script, joking that she might not be a lifeguard in real life, but she’ll be playing one on TV.

That alone sent the internet into a frenzy.

The Transition From Sports to Entertainment

Athletes transitioning into acting isn’t anything new.

Plenty of former athletes have made successful moves into Hollywood over the years.

But Dunne’s situation feels a little different.

She’s already entering the entertainment world with:

• a massive fan base

• strong media presence

• and experience performing in front of cameras

Which makes her one of the more interesting crossover stories in sports and entertainment right now.

It Might Be Must-Watch

Look, I’ll say this as respectfully as possible.

A Baywatch reboot starring Livvy Dunne?

That’s probably going to draw some attention.

Whether you’re watching out of nostalgia for the original show, curiosity about the reboot, or just because Dunne is making her acting debut…

There’s a very good chance a lot of people are going to check out the first episode when it drops.

And if the show ends up being even halfway entertaining?

It might become one of the more talked-about TV launches of the year.