Draft:Rescue: HI-Surf

Rescue: HI-Surf (formerly titled Ke Nui Road) is an upcoming American action drama television series created by Matt Kester that is scheduled to premiere with a special preview episode on September 22, 2024, after the NFL on Fox before its official premiere on September 23, 2024, on Fox. The series is produced by John Wells Productions, Fox Entertainment, and Warner Bros. Television, with Matt Kester serves as an executive producer of the series, alongside John Wells, Daniele Nathanson, and Erin Jontow. The series stars Arielle Kebbel, Adam Demos, Robbie Magasiva, Kekoa Kekumano, Alex Aiono and Zoe Cipres.

Premise
The series follows 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.

Main

 * Robbie Magasiva as Harlan "Sonny" Jennings
 * Adam Demos as Will Ready
 * Kekoa Kekumano as Laka Hanohano
 * Arielle Kebbel as Emily "Em" Wright
 * Alex Aiono as Kainalu
 * Zoe Cipres as Hina

Recurring

 * Shawn Hatosy as Clayton Emerson
 * Ian Anthony Dale as Sean Harimoto
 * Sea Shimooka as Jenn

Development
In October 2020, it was announced that HBO Max had set up two more dramas, including a lifeguard drama series from John Wells, then titled Ke Nui Road. It was to be produced from John Wells Productions, Warner Bros. Television, and Animal Kingdom writer Matt Kester. On June 28, 2021, the streaming service finalized to order the pilot.

On April 28, 2023, it was announced that Fox had given a straight-to-series order for the lifeguard drama, now titled Rescue: Hi Surf. Fox Entertainment joined in as the production company of the series. Kester was to write the pilot episode, and Wells was set to direct the first two episodes. However, production on the series was delayed indefinitely due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike and 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike. Production officially began after the strikes ended. On April 12, 2024, Fox extended it's episode order to 19.

Casting
The original cast was announced on November 9, 2021 which included; Andrew Creer, Ethan Rich, George Mason and Kekoa Scott Kekumano. In January 2024, Robbie Magasiva, Arielle Kebbel, Adam Demos, Alex Aiono, and Zoe Cipres were announced as the lead cast for the series, with Kekumano still attached. In addition, Sea Shimooka was added to the recurring cast. On May 7, 2024, Shawn Hatosy and Ian Anthony Dale were cast in recurring roles.

Release
Rescue: Hi Surf is scheduled to premiere with a special preview episode on September 22, 2024, after the NFL on Fox before its official premiere on September 23, 2024, on Fox.