David Charvet Teases ‘Baywatch’ Reboot Return: “It Has to Be About the Story”

David Charvet made his name running down the beach on Baywatch in the '90s. Now he's back on Fox for Special Forces: World's Toughest Test — and teasing a return to the sand.

David Charvet says a return to Baywatch is officially on the table. In a press-junket interview promoting the new season of Fox's reality competition Special Forces: World's Toughest Test, the 90s beach-drama star revealed he is talking with Fox executives about the network's upcoming Baywatch reboot — though he is making one thing clear: it has to be about the story. With Fox's revival in the works and several of the original cast members already set to return, the possibility of Charvet back in the red trunks adds a fresh layer of intrigue to one of TV's most anticipated reboots.

The actor explained that it would take a great storyline to get him back on the beach, recalling that the Baywatch of 25 years ago was anchored by an incredibly close cast — a feeling he says he rediscovered, surprisingly, on Special Forces. He confirmed he has connected with the other originals who are returning and that they enjoyed the experience, but for him, the story always comes first

As for the show itself, Charvet said he signed on because of his children, who have never seen him on live television; after roughly 20 years away from the game, he wanted something unscripted, dangerous, and outside his comfort zone to show his kids that dad still has what it takes.

Also in the junket was Olympic figure skater Maxim Naumov, who joined the same Special Forces season and offered his own reasons for saying yes. The 2026 U.S. national medalist said he has always been comfortable pushing limits within his sport, but wanted to test whether those tools worked in a completely different environment — being comfortable with being uncomfortable.

Asked whether the Olympics or the show was more intimidating, he said the pressure felt different, but the nervous physical and emotional response was eerily similar to standing on the ice. He hopes viewers, especially athletes, take away the message that they are more capable than they think, and he is using his platform to push fellow skaters — and himself — to chase things beyond their sport, while also cheering on Amber Glenn's run on the new season of Dancing with the Stars.

The two recruits also opened up about the bonds formed in the Malaysian jungle, where the season was filmed. Charvet said the most important victory was keeping his head in the game, and Naumov revealed he trauma-bonded the most with an NBA veteran named Matt, calling him a connected team player who went right for the hard tasks — the two, he said, went through experiences together that came close to death. He also credited fellow contestant Colin, who is close to him in age, with building his confidence through athlete-to-athlete conversations behind the scenes. Naumov also mentioned his strength-training studio, BUILD, which focuses on culture and community — a place where people can congregate and feel seen. For Charvet, the takeaway is bigger than any one challenge: everyone on the show has a why, and once you learn the story behind the person in front of you, the bond runs far deeper.