Fox Sets Cast for Lifeguard Drama Series ‘Rescue: Hi Surf’
Fox has found its main cast for the upcoming drama series “Rescue: Hi Surf,” Variety has learned.
The show was originally greenlit at Fox in April 2023. The series regulars will include: Robbie Magasiva (“Wentworth,” “Bad Behaviour”), Arielle Kebbel (“The Vampire Diaries,” “John Tucker Must Die”), Adam Demos (“Sex / Life,” “UnReal”), Kekoa Kekumano (“The White Lotus,” “Aquaman”), Alex Aiono (“Pretty Little Liars: Original Sin,” “Doogie Kameāloha M.D”), and Zoe Cipres (“Roswell, New Mexico,” “Long Pork”). In addition, Sea Shimooka (“3 Body Problem,” “Arrow”) will appear in a recurring role.
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Full character descriptions can be found below.
The official description of the series states that it will follow “the personal and professional lives of the heavy-water lifeguards who patrol and protect the North Shore of O’ahu—the most famous and dangerous stretch of coastline in the world. Each episode will feature these dedicated, heroic, and adrenaline-seeking first-responders saving lives in the difficult and often life-threatening conditions of Hawaii’s Seven Mile Miracle.”
Matt Kester wrote the pilot and serves as executive producer and showrunner. John Wells executive produces via John Wells Productions and will direct the first two episodes. Erin Jontow of John Wells Productions and Daniele Nathanson also executive produce. The series is co-produced by Warner Bros. Television and Fox Entertainment. Wells is currently under an overall deal at WBTV.
Magasiva is repped by Impression Entertainment and Sue Barnett & Associates. Kebbel is repped by Independent Artist Group, Untitled Entertainment, Vision PR, and Hanson Jacobson. Demos is repped by Untitled Entertainment, Independent Artist Group, and Sophie Jermyn Management in Australia. Kekumano is repped by Luber Roklin Entertainment & Bliss Models and Talent. Aiono is repped by UTA , Luber Roklin Entertainment and Myman Greenspan. Cipres is repped by Brave Artists Management. Shimooka is repped by Buchwald and Anonymous Content.
Kester and Wells previously had a pilot order at Max for a drama titled “Ke Nui Road,” which was also about lifeguards in Oahu and also starred Magasiva and Kekumano. That project ultimately did not go forward at the streamer.
Fox ordered “Rescue: Hi Surf” not long before it was announced that its hit drama series “9-1-1” would be moving to ABC for its seventh season, while the sister series “9-1-1: Lone Star” was renewed for a fifth season that will debut on Fox in fall 2024.
Character Descriptions:
Robbie Magasiva as HARLAN “SONNY” JENNINGS — SONNY JENNINGS is a surfer, waterman, and North Shore lifeguard captain with deep ties to his community and an iron clad commitment to his team of heavy water first responders. A charismatic leader who inspires courage and loyalty, SONNY’S grief over his nephew’s death threatens to cost him the job and team he loves.
Arielle Kebbel as Emily “EM” WRIGHT — In a lifeguard force that is 90% male, EM WRIGHT is still the best. A true maverick, EM is the first female lieutenant in Ocean Safety history, an accomplished surfer and record setting paddler who has her sights set on the captain’s job, a position currently held by Sonny, her struggling mentor and friend.
Adam Demos as WILL READY — An Aussie surfer and certified lifesaver since his nipper days at the local board riders club, WILL came to the North Shore to challenge himself and stayed. Good-natured and loyal, WILL’s blue-collar work ethic and incomparable fitness means he’s game to tackle any situation the ocean throws at him.
Kekoa Kekumano as LAKA HANOHANO—Confident, competent, and hilarious, LAKA is an uber-fit Native Hawaiian lifeguard from Honolulu who patrols the busy North Shore beaches with a style all his own. Fearless in the ocean and never afraid of a good time, Laka loves his job and the lifestyle that comes with it.
Alex Aiono as KAINALU — Cocky and competitive, sweet but stubborn, KAINALU was born into privilege in an upscale neighborhood just outside Honolulu. With a politician father who’s on the rise, Kainalu is defying lots of expectations (like finishing college) to be a rookie North Shore lifeguard.
Zoe Cipres as HINA — Rookie North Shore lifeguard from a large, working-class Hawaiian family. Smart, sassy, fiercely competitive. Top of her training class, concerned with how to balance her professional duties (and the fishbowl of being one of only a dozen women on the job) with her deep love for her family and community.
Sea Shimooka as JENN (RECURRING) — A big wave surfer and working EMT born and raised on Kauai, JENN came to Oahu for med school – but the proximity to big surf was also a key motivator. JENN is serious about her job, serious about big waves, and has a sense of commitment that drives her to take everything to the next level.
(Pictured, left to right: Adam Demos, Arielle Kebbel, Alex Aiono, Zoe Cipres)
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