MLB star Paul Skenes’ girlfriend Livvy Dunne joins Baywatch reboot in first major acting role

The move from sports to entertainment is becoming more common, and former LSU gymnast Livvy Dunne, MLB sensation Paul Skenes lover, is the latest athlete taking that step. The 23-year-old has been cast in Fox’s upcoming Baywatch reboot (2026 TV series). The announcement was made in March 2026 and marks her first major acting role.Dunne became widely known during her college gymnastics career and through her large following on social media. With more than 13 million followers, she is one of the most recognizable former NCAA athletes online. Her role in the Baywatch reboot connects her athletic background with a series known for its beach lifeguards and rescue stories.Livvy Dunne will play Grace, a junior lifeguard described as enthusiastic and eager to prove herself in Baywatch reboot. The role is recurring and places her among a new group of lifeguards featured in the show.Her social media reach is also expected to bring attention to the series. The reboot includes a mix of actors and influencers, along with one returning cast member from the original show.David Chokachi, who appeared in the original Baywatch series, returns as Cody Madison. In the new show, his character runs The Shoreline bar and also helps with rescue operations.Livvy Dunne built her public profile while competing for LSU. During the NIL era, she became one of the highest-earning female college athletes through sponsorship deals and social media partnerships.Earlier in 2026, she said she planned to pursue acting after finishing college. She mentioned taking acting classes and reading scripts as she explored opportunities in film and television.The Baywatch reboot role fits closely with her public image. In 2025, a Baywatch-themed Halloween costume she wore went viral online. Many fans reacted quickly after the casting news, calling it the start of her acting career. Her boyfriend, Paul Skenes of the Pittsburgh Pirates, also supported the news publicly.Fox ordered the reboot in September 2025 with 12 episodes planned for the 2026–27 television season. The story follows Hobie Buchannon as he mentors a new team of lifeguards while they handle rescues and personal issues along the California coast.Filming began in March 2026 after an open casting call in Los Angeles earlier in the year. Table reads were already underway in February as the production moved forward.The reboot keeps the original concept of lifeguards handling beach rescues while adding a younger cast and several well-known social media personalities. With Dunne joining the lineup, the show brings one of the most recognizable names from college sports into its new cast.