Just two days after the S.W.A.T. series finale aired in May, it was announced that won’t be the last time we see Shemar Moore playing Hondo. The show was, in a way, brought back from cancellation yet again. Less than six months later, production officially began on the spinoff series.
On May 18, Sony Pictures Television announced a series order for a spinoff, S.W.A.T. Exiles, with Moore reprising his role as Hondo, Sony Pictures Television will produce and distribute the 10-episode series globally and, at the time, said to be focused on finding the right homes and partners for these new stories. Jason Ning will serve as showrunner.
“My eight seasons on S.W.A.T. have been epic and memorable. We entertained the world, defied the odds, came back from the dead twice, and continued to woo fans and families worldwide. I am excited for this next generation and iteration of S.W.A.T. with Sony. Katherine Pope, Neal H. Moritz, Jason Ning, and I will keep the franchise, thrill ride action, heartfelt drama, and storytelling of S.W.A.T. alive. WE DON’T LOSE!!!! ROLL SWAT!!!,” said Shemar Moore in a statement.
Sony Pictures Television
“We are thrilled to usher this beloved franchise into a new era with S.W.A.T. EXILES,” said Keith Le Goy, Chairman of Sony Pictures Television. “We believe in championing powerful storytelling and in our teams’ exceptional ability to create and deliver these stories to audiences around the world. This belief is embedded in our DNA and central to every decision we make.”
Added Katherine Pope, President, Sony Pictures Television Studios, “We couldn’t be more excited to bring the next chapter of S.W.A.T. to life — both for our incredibly dedicated fans of the original franchise and for a new generation of viewers. We’re grateful to our incredible partners Neal H. Moritz, Pavun Shetty, Jason Ning, and Shemar Moore for embarking on this journey with us. This team’s commitment to the global fanbase, to our beloved crew and to our city runs deep!”
Read on for everything we know so far about S.W.A.T. Exiles, from the cast (and who’s returning) to what it’s about and more.
When will S.W.A.T. Exiles premiere?
That has yet to be announced, but production has officially begun as of October 9, 2025. Moore confirmed the news in a statement.
“Get ready for S.W.A.T. 2.0!” he said. “After eight incredible years of defying the odds and entertaining the world, we’re about to take the franchise to a whole new level—bigger, better, and edgier. With a fresh cast and a darker, more intense Hondo, we’re ready to bring this story to life and show you what we’ve created together. Thanks to the fans and Sony for keeping us alive, you won’t want to miss what’s next.”
Ning added, “It’s been electric being back on set. You can feel the creative energy shift. We’re honoring what made S.W.A.T. great while reinventing it through this scrappier, more character-driven lens. The new cast came in hungry, the crew’s firing on all cylinders, and it already feels like Exiles has its own heartbeat.”
Where will S.W.A.T. Exiles air?
That, too, is unknown.
What is S.W.A.T. Exiles about?
In S.W.A.T. Exiles, the logline teases, “After a high-profile mission goes sideways, Daniel ‘Hondo’ Harrelson is pulled out of forced retirement to lead a last-chance experimental SWAT unit made up of untested, unpredictable young recruits. Hondo must bridge a generational divide, navigate clashing personalities, and turn a squad of outsiders into a team capable of protecting the city and saving the program that made him who he is.
Who’s in the S.W.A.T. Exiles cast?
Moore is back as Hondo. And on Monday, September 8, it was announced that Jay Harrington (Sergeant David ‘Deacon’ Kay) and Patrick St. Esprit (Commander Robert Hicks) will appear in the first episode. They starred alongside Moore across all eight seasons of the CBS series.
We’ll have to wait to see if anyone else who was still on 20-Squad alongside Hondo and Deacon — Tan (David Lim), Powell (Anna Enger Ritch), Alfaro (Niko Pepaj), and Gamble (Annie Ilonzeh) — will show up in this new series.
It has also been announced that Lucy Barrett, Adain Bradley, Zyra Gorecki, Freddy Miyares, and Ronen Rubinstein have joined as series regulars. They all appeared with Moore in the first photo from the set (below).
Sony
Joining showrunner Ning as executive producers are Neal H. Moritz and Pavun Shetty of Original Film, Shemar Moore, James Scura, and Jon Cowan. Kevin Tancharoen will direct the first episode.
“I couldn’t be more thrilled to partner with Sony to bring S.W.A.T. EXILES to life. It’s an incredible honor to carry forward the legacy of a show that fans around the world have come to love. Working with Shemar Moore, who defines what it means to be a leading man, and introducing a new generation of characters into this world is a dream,” said Ning when the series was first announced.
How did S.W.A.T. end?
S.W.A.T. ended its eight-season run on CBS with Hondo still leading 20-Squad and the team heading out to respond to another call like any other day.
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