Upon reflection, it becomes evident that Shemar Moore exhibited an unusually reserved demeanor on social media following the May 16th series finale of S.W.A.T. Now, the reason behind his lack of repetitions of phrases like "we ain't done chasing bad guys and blowing up stuff," which he often uttered after CBS's second cancellation of his show, is clear: he wasn't bidding farewell to Hondo, after all. Sony Pictures Television has spun off the popular cop drama into a new show titled S.W.A.T. Exiles. Moore will once again embody the character of Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson, while the 200-member production crew that contributed to S.W.A.T.'s success on CBS will retain their jobs as production resumes this summer in Los Angeles.
Jason Ning (Lucifer) will take the reins as showrunner under his recently renewed overall deal with SPT. The studio's plan is to produce and distribute the 10-episode series globally, searching for the ideal platforms and partners to reach the devoted S.W.A.T. fanbase and entice new viewers. Joining Moore as executive producers are Neal H. Moritz and Pavun Shetty of Original Film, along with James Scura.
The spinoff's premise reads as follows: "After a high-stakes mission takes an unexpected turn, Hondo is reluctantly pulled out of retirement to lead an experimental SWAT unit comprising untested, unpredictable young recruits. Facing a generational gap and conflicting personalities, Hondo must transform this group of outsiders into a cohesive team capable of safeguarding the city and rescuing the program that shaped his identity." No additional cast members have been unveiled yet.
"My eight seasons on S.W.A.T. have been nothing short of epic and unforgettable," Moore stated. "We entertained the globe, overcame adversity, rose from the ashes twice, and continued to captivate fans and families worldwide. I am thrilled for this next evolution and iteration of S.W.A.T. with Sony."
"We're overjoyed to bring the next chapter of S.W.A.T. to life, catering not only to our incredibly devoted fans of the original franchise but also to a fresh generation of viewers," added Katherine Pope, President of SPT Studios. "We're grateful to our incredible partners, Neal H. Moritz, Pavun Shetty, Jason Ning, and Shemar Moore, for embarking on this adventure with us. This team's dedication to our global fanbase, beloved crew, and city runs deep!"
S.W.A.T. concluded its eight-season run on CBS on May 16th, with Hondo and his Squad 20 responding to an ongoing robbery. They affectionately tapped the S.W.A.T. symbol as they departed headquarters. Over the past two years, Sony successfully negotiated financial terms with CBS, securing last-minute renewals for dramas from Shawn Ryan and Aaron Rahsaan Thomas. However, this time, CBS chose not to engage in renewal talks, opting instead to conclude the long-running series to pave the way for new Paramount-owned shows like Sheriff Country.
