Baywatch creator Gregory J Bonann conceptualised the 20-episode series with Baywatch writer Tai Collins. Bonann’s Tower 18 Productions is producing with Randall Emmett and George Furla’s Emmett/Furla Productions.

The Bold and The Beautiful’s Texas Battle co-stars with South African actor Karl Thaning and newcomers Danielle Anderson, Jocelyn Osorio, Katie Meehan, Lydia Hull, and Travis Burns.

“SAF3 are the heroes who answer the most challenging calls; specialists who collaborate, coordinate, and initiate daring rescues in the most dangerous venues to save human life,” says Bonann. “Each episode will center on big-action rescues, as well as camaraderie and friendship. They are a team that serve and who have each other’s back.”

SAF3 premiered throughout America on the weekend of 21 September 2013 and is already sold worldwide, including e.tv.

The series is being shot on location in Cape Town, South Africa with Kalahari Pictures.

Kalahari Pictures’ Michael Murphey says, “Greg and his team looked all over the world, including America, New Zealand and Australia, but chose Cape Town for the production value, labor force and gorgeous scenery they could get here.”

Murphey praised the Cape Film Commission and everyone at the City of Cape Town and the Province of the Western Cape for making the shoot possible, particularly the semi-permanent set on Camps Bay beach. “Cape Town has proved again that it’s a film-friendly destination and it’s reaping the benefits,” says Murphey.

He also singled out the Department of Trade and Industry rebate, which offers international productions like SAF3 up to 25% of their qualifying South Africa spend back.

SAF3 is one of the largest TV series yet for South Africa, bringing 103 shoot days, over 200 jobs, and approximately R160-million to the local economy. All post-production is done in South Africa, a first for an international TV series of this scale. SAF3’s legacy also includes a permanent, heated, 30x15m, 3m-deep tank at The Ottery Youth Centre for filming with water in Cape Town.

The first season wraps in Cape Town on Friday, 13 December. To view a teaser for SAF3, click here.

For more information, visit www.saf3tv.com.