‘S.W.A.T.’ Lives: Shemar Moore to Star in Spinoff ‘S.W.A.T. Exiles,’ Ordered to Series by Sony With Showrunner Jason Ning

by

In an unexpected turn of events revealed on Sunday night, Sony Pictures Television – famed for discovering innovative means to resurrect supposedly terminated shows – has independently decided to revive the spin-off series titled “S.W.A.T. Exiles”, which won’t be easily dismissed or halted.

Actor Shemar Moore, known for his role in “S.W.A.T.”, is returning to star again as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson in a 10-episode follow-up series. The announcement was made only two days after “S.W.A.T.” concluded its eight-season run on CBS, with a finale airing on May 16th. Interestingly, Sony has given the go-ahead for this new show, despite the fact that “S.W.A.T. Exiles” has not yet been purchased by any networks, be it within the U.S. or internationally.

In unveiling this news at its LA Screenings event, Sony is taking a risk that it can find suitable platforms and collaborators for these fresh narratives to captivate the dedicated ‘S.W.A.T.’ audience and entice new spectators. The company plans to present the series to streaming services, as well as broadcast and cable networks.

It appears that the “S.W.A.T.” series is available on platforms such as CBS, its associated streaming service Paramount+, and perhaps even Netflix at the moment.

In March, CBS confirmed that they were ending “S.W.A.T.” after eight seasons and 163 episodes, marking the third instance of this series being canceled by CBS (known as The Eye network). Interestingly, despite earlier announcements that its seventh season would be its last, “S.W.A.T.” was revived for a Season 8. This isn’t the first time it has been resurrected either; CBS had previously terminated the show after Season 6 in 2023 only to announce later that it would return again.

In the past, CBS, Sony Pictures TV, and CBS Studios managed to negotiate terms that allowed them to revive the show at a fee acceptable to all parties. However, this time around, an agreement couldn’t be reached, leading Sony to independently produce “S.W.A.T. Exiles.

As a devoted fan, I’m thrilled about Sony’s promise to continue nurturing the “S.W.A.T.” universe. This commitment signifies their dedication to creating top-notch content that adds even more value to their significant intellectual properties in today’s ever-changing TV environment.

Sony announced they’re already working on a new installment of the show, with plans to begin filming in Los Angeles this coming summer. The studio emphasized that by greenlighting “S.W.A.T. Exiles,” they were ensuring jobs for the 200-strong local crew who have been crucial to the success of the original series for the past eight seasons.

In this spinoff, we find Daniel ‘Hondo’ Harrelson brought back from retirement following an unexpected turn in a high-profile operation. Now, he’s tasked with leading an experimental SWAT team, a group of raw, unpredictable rookies. As Hondo juggles the challenges of bridging a generational gap and managing diverse personalities, his mission is to mold this motley crew into a cohesive unit capable of safeguarding the city and preserving the program that defined him.

Jason Ning, known for “Lucifer” and “The Brothers Sun,” has come aboard the show as both executive producer and showrunner, under his freshly extended contract at Sony Pictures TV. Additionally, Moore is an executive producer, with Neal H. Moritz, Pavun Shetty from Original Film, and James Scura all holding similar roles.

In a statement, Moore expressed: “My eight seasons on ‘S.W.A.T.’ have been incredible and unforgettable. We captivated the globe, surpassed expectations, rose from the ashes twice, and maintained our appeal to fans and families worldwide. I’m thrilled for this new era and adaptation of S.W.A.T. with Sony. Katherine Pope, Neal H. Moritz, Jason Ning, and I will ensure that the spirit, high-octane action, emotional drama, and storytelling of S.W.A.T. endure. We won’t falter! Onward, SWAT!

Keith Le Goy, chairman of Sony Pictures TV, explained that extending the “S.W.A.T.” series demonstrates their commitment to fostering impactful storytelling and confidence in their teams’ talent for crafting and distributing these narratives globally. This philosophy is deeply rooted within them and guides every choice they make.

Katherine Pope, president of Sony Pictures TV Studios, expressed her enthusiasm: “We’re thrilled to start the next phase of ‘S.W.A.T.’ production, catering not only to our devoted fans of the initial series but also to a new audience. We’re thankful to Neal H. Moritz, Pavun Shetty, Jason Ning, and Shemar Moore for joining us on this adventure. Their dedication to the worldwide fanbase, our talented crew, and our city is profound.

Among Ning’s accomplishments are the works “Perception”, “The Expanse”, and “Mrs. Davis”. His next project is co-writing and executive producing (alongside Ronald D. Moore and Sony Pictures TV) a screen adaptation of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon”, based on the novel series penned by Wang Dulu.

Ning expressed great pride in continuing the tradition of a beloved show, as fans worldwide have grown fond of it. Working alongside Shemar Moore, an epitome of a leading actor, and bringing fresh characters to life within this universe has been a long-held ambition.

Read More

2025-05-19 05:21