S.W.A.T. Exiles Spinoff to Bring Back Favorite Characters, Including Hondo

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Sony officials hint that several well-known personalities from the S.W.A.T. series might appear in the upcoming spinoff titled S.W.A.T. Exiles. Following multiple instances of cancellation and renewal, S.W.A.T. was ultimately canceled after its eighth season, with no revival this time around. However, the franchise lives on through CBS with a new spinoff series, S.W.A.T. Exiles. Notably, Shemar Moore, who portrayed Hondo in the long-running CBS show, will reprise his role in the spinoff; it was previously uncertain whether other original characters would be featured too.

In an interview with Variety, Sony executive Katherine Pope affirms that some beloved characters may feature in S.W.A.T. Exiles. Despite being a new series, Exiles falls within the same universe as the original show, so it’s likely we’ll see familiar faces pop up. Katherine Pope and her colleague Keith Le Goy also mention that the spinoff is still in its early stages, as they are only “a few weeks in.” Read on for more of her insights below:

Absolutely, as Keith mentioned earlier, this is indeed a universe we’re delving into. We’re about four weeks into the journey, and while we’re still piecing everything together, I have no doubt that you’ll see some familiar elements incorporated within it.

What This Means For S.W.A.T. Exiles

More Familiar Characters Can Help Fix A Recent Mistake

The revelation of S.W.A.T. Exiles has sparked a variety of reactions among the fanbase and the original show cast. Actor David Lim from S.W.A.T. expressed that it was particularly painful for the spinoff to be announced just two days after the series finale, without acknowledging the cast members who had been part of the show for eight seasons. Despite their justified concerns about how the franchise transition unfolded, there’s a likelihood that several of their characters will make an appearance in the spinoff.

Having Hondo feature in the new series is strategic, given that he was a key character from the original show and a major attraction. There are numerous lingering questions and enigmas left by S.W.A.T., as well as beloved characters that could benefit from further development. Introducing familiar faces other than Hondo might make the S.W.A.T. Exiles series more appealing to viewers, and the spinoff will acknowledge its roots by not disregarding its connection to the original show.

Our Take On Katherine Pope’s Comments

It’s Good News, But Raises Another Question

It’s encouraging that Hondo isn’t the only recognizable SWAT character in Exiles, but it leaves me pondering why CBS opted to terminate the original series and instead develop a spinoff. If the spinoff had centered around Hondo and other established characters, perhaps the original SWAT could have continued into season 9. Essentially, SWAT: Exiles must demonstrate that it offers a more suitable direction for the franchise than season 9 would have.

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2025-06-03 05:27