Ilfenesh Hadera

EXCLUSIVE: Casting my #BAYWATCH love interest wasn’t easy (extremely tough job but hey I’m one of the producers;) but we finally found her. For our coveted role of "STEF", she had to be a lot of things: Strong, intelligent, formidable, beautiful and funny. Want to welcome the talented @ilfenator Ilfenesh Hadera to our #BAYWATCH family. She’s a 5’11 walkin’ smokestack with legs for days. Smart and tougher than new rope.. just the way we like ’em. And seeing as she’s playing my love interest – my strong calloused hands are the ONLY HANDS allowed to rub suntan oil on her soft supple skin. You hear that Efron? Step out of line Zac and she’ll knock your unattractive candy ass into next week. Mine too��. Our dope cast is coming together nicely with a few more big announcements/cool surprises along the way. Let’s have some rated R fun.. We are the keepers of "The Bay". We are… #BAYWATCH. #SandSquadUpInThisBitch ��������������

A photo posted by therock (@therock) on


Dwayne "The Rock" Johnson posted the above item to his Instagram page this morning, which speaks for itself (and more).

Ilfenesh Hadera, still a relative newcomer, has worked with Spike Lee on 3 different projects, appearing in "Da Brick" (which was never released by HBO), "Oldboy" (Spike’s version) and, most recently, "Chi-Raq."

On the small screen, her credits include parts in "The Blacklist," "Chicago Fire" and can currently be seen in a recurring role in Showtime’s new series "Billions."

The "Baywatch" movie stars Dwayne Johnson and Zac Efron, with “Quantico” star Priyanka Chopra, “San Andreas” actress Alexandra Daddario and model Kelly Rohrbach recently joining them in the Paramount film.

Details on plot have been kept underwraps, but it’s "Baywatch." What more do you really need to know? Although a casting notice I came across in search of extras, says that the film will tell a story that centers on a lifeguard (Dwayne Johnson) who is forced to team up with a young upstart (Zac Efron) in order to save a beach.

Seth Gordon is directing from a script that’s apparently changed a few hands, with Damian Shannon and Mark Swift writing the latest draft.

Johnson will also produce the film with his partner Dany Garcia through their Seven Bucks Productions banner. Beau Flynn and Ivan Reitman are producing as well, along with Michael Berk, Douglas Schwartz and Greg Bonann.

Filming is set to begin in March.