Just days after S.W.A.T. aired its series finale on CBS, the show’s studio, Sony Pictures Television, and its star, Shemar Moore, are charging back with a bold plan to keep the franchise kicking. Announced on May 19, 2025, at Sony’s annual L.A. Screenings event, a new spinoff titled S.W.A.T. Exiles is in the works, with Moore reprising his role as the tough-as-nails Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson. After eight seasons, three cancellations, and two miraculous revivals, this move shows Sony and Moore aren’t ready to let their action-packed police drama fade away.
A Franchise That Won’t Quit
S.W.A.T., a reboot of the 1975 series and inspired by the 2003 film, premiered on CBS in 2017, developed by Aaron Rahsaan Thomas and Shawn Ryan. Produced by Sony Pictures Television, CBS Studios, and Original Film, it followed Hondo and his elite Los Angeles SWAT team, tackling high-stakes crimes while grappling with issues like race, loyalty, and justice. The show, led by Moore alongside Jay Harrington, David Lim, and others, built a loyal fanbase with its heart-pounding action and diverse cast, averaging 8 million viewers per episode at its peak, per Deadline.
But the road wasn’t smooth. CBS canceled S.W.A.T. after six seasons in May 2023, citing high costs despite strong ratings, only to reverse the decision days later for a seventh “final” season after Moore’s fiery social media pleas and fan outcry. History repeated in 2024 when CBS greenlit an eighth season, but by March 2025, the network pulled the plug again, with the finale airing May 16, 2025. Each time, Moore rallied fans, calling for networks like Netflix to pick it up, and Sony negotiated hard to keep the show alive. Now, they’re betting on S.W.A.T. Exiles to carry the torch.
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Enter S.W.A.T. Exiles
S.W.A.T. Exiles promises a fresh twist on the franchise. Moore returns as Hondo, who’s pulled out of forced retirement to lead an experimental SWAT unit of untested, unpredictable young recruits after a mission goes wrong, according to Sony’s description reported by The Hollywood Reporter. Jason Ning, a producer from the original series, will serve as showrunner, with Neal H. Moritz and Pavun Shetty among the executive producers. Sony has ordered 10 episodes, with production slated to start this summer in Los Angeles, keeping around 200 crew members employed.
The spinoff’s concept feels like a natural evolution, blending Hondo’s seasoned grit with a new generation of cops. “It’s an incredible honor to carry forward the legacy of a show that fans around the world have come to love,” Moore said in a statement to Variety. “I’m excited for this next generation and iteration of SWAT with Sony.” Sony Pictures TV chairman Keith Le Goy echoed the enthusiasm, calling Exiles a way to usher the “beloved franchise into a new era” with “powerful storytelling.”
Shemar Moore’s Relentless Fight
Moore, 54, has been the heart and soul of S.W.A.T., both as Hondo and an executive producer. His outspoken passion saved the show twice before, and he’s not backing down now. After the March 2025 cancellation, Moore took to Instagram, saying, “I ain’t done yet,” and pitching S.W.A.T. to Netflix, NBC, Fox, and ABC. “We entertained the world, defied the odds, came back from the dead twice,” he told The Hollywood Reporter, reflecting on the show’s eight seasons. His hustle paid off with Exiles, which he sees as a chance to “keep the franchise, thrill ride action, heartfelt drama, and storytelling of SWAT alive.”
Moore’s connection to S.W.A.T. runs deep. “This is still a dream job for me,” he said in 2024 when Season 8 was renewed, per Deadline. He’s credited fan support and his own persistence for the show’s survival, joking to People that getting “canceled twice in a row and uncanceled twice in a row” was thanks to him “running my mouth on social media.” Even as he admitted to People that playing Hondo is tough on his knees at 54, Moore’s committed to pushing for more, dreaming of reaching Season 13.
Why a Spinoff?
S.W.A.T.’s resilience comes from its fan base and solid performance. Seasons 1–7 stream on Netflix, and Season 8 is on Paramount+, exposing it to a global audience. The show’s diversity—Moore is one of the few Black leads on network TV—and its mix of action and social commentary have kept it relevant, though some critics, per IMDb, noted predictable plots. Sony’s decision to greenlight Exiles without a network or streamer attached is a gamble, but it’s a calculated one. The studio plans to shop the series to buyers soon, banking on Moore’s star power and the franchise’s track record.
The timing is tight—S.W.A.T.’s finale just aired, and Season 8’s 4.9 million viewers per episode (down 20% from Season 7, per TVLine) didn’t sway CBS. But Sony’s move keeps the crew working and taps into the show’s global appeal. “We’re grateful to our incredible partners Neal H. Moritz, Pavun Shetty, Jason Ning, and Shemar Moore for embarking on this journey with us,” said Sony’s Katherine Pope, per The Hollywood Reporter.
Exiles could refresh the formula by focusing on younger characters while keeping Hondo’s leadership front and center. Fans hope for cameos from originals like Jay Harrington’s Deacon or even Alex Russell’s Jim Street, whose exit left gaps. The finale tied up some arcs but left room for more, and Exiles seems poised to explore Hondo in a new chapter—mentoring rookies while still chasing bad guys.
A Legacy Worth Fighting For
S.W.A.T.’s journey—canceled three times, saved twice, now reborn as a spinoff—shows the power of Moore’s determination and Sony’s belief in the franchise. “My eight seasons on SWAT have been epic and memorable,” Moore told Variety. As he and Sony roll the dice on S.W.A.T. Exiles, they’re betting fans will follow Hondo into this next adventure. Whether it lands on Netflix, a network, or elsewhere, one thing’s clear: Moore and S.W.A.T. aren’t done defying the odds.