PRODUCTION UNDERWAY ON S.W.A.T. EXILES—SHEMAR MOORE’S HONDO RETURNS WITH EXPERIMENTAL SWAT UNIT
TL;DR: S.W.A.T. Exiles has officially begun production, bringing Y&R alum Shemar Moore back as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson with a brand-new team of untested recruits. Filming began in Los Angeles on October 9, 2025, and Moore promises a “bigger, better, edgier” take on the franchise.
Cameras Are Rolling on S.W.A.T. Exiles!
Get ready for S.W.A.T. 2.0! Shemar Moore is back in action as production kicks off on S.W.A.T. Exiles, the spinoff bringing everyone’s favorite SWAT leader back to our screens. Sony Pictures Television shared the first cast photo on October 9, 2025, showing Moore with his new squad of rookies. Fans: energized. Hype: activated.
“Get ready for S.W.A.T. 2.0,” Moore teased to Deadline. “After eight incredible years, we’re taking it to a whole new level—bigger, better, edgier. With a fresh cast and a darker, more intense Hondo, you won’t want to miss what’s next.”
What’s S.W.A.T. Exiles About?
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 of untested, unpredictable 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.
Translation: Gen-X discipline vs. Gen-Z candor. Sparks will fly. Promise.
The New Cast Joins Shemar Moore
Alongside Shemar Moore, new faces include Ronen Rubinstein (9-1-1: Lone Star), Freddy Miyares (When They See Us), Lucy Barrett (Charmed), Zyra Gorecki (La Brea), and Adain Bradley (All American).
Expect: a charismatic former Marine from South Central, an undercover cop with a questionable shooting in his past, an amputee who topped her academy class and refuses to ride a desk, a tactical prodigy with a disruptive streak, plus more recruits who will challenge Hondo every step of the way.
Some Familiar Faces Will Return
Good news for longtime viewers: Jay Harrington (Sergeant David “Deacon” Kay) and Patrick St. Esprit (Commander Robert Hicks) will appear in the first episode as guest stars, giving a proper passing of the torch to the new squad.
The Behind-the-Scenes Drama
S.W.A.T. was canceled (again) in March 2025, and less than 48 hours later Sony announced this spinoff. Without most of the original series regulars. Jay Harrington has said Shemar Moore called the team personally before the announcement to give everybody a heads-up. Disappointment aside, the old 20-Squad has publicly wished the new show well.
As one does.
Why a Spinoff Instead of Season 9?
Cost and timing, friends. What else? Long-running ensemble dramas get expensive as contracts escalate. Sony TV fast-tracked Exiles to keep Moore, the soundstages, and 200+ crew members employed. Plus, they wanted to present the project – the entire kit AND the kaboodle – to global buyers immediately.
The Creative Team
Showrunner Jason Ning (Lucifer, The Brothers Sun) executive produces with Neal H. Moritz and Pavun Shetty of Original Film, along with Shemar Moore, James Scura, and Jon Cowan. Kevin Tancharoen directs the first episode. Power players filling multiple rolls.
Production Details & What’s Next
Sony Pictures Television Studios is producing a 10-episode season in Los Angeles, using much of the original crew. A U.S. network/streamer has not yet been announced; Sony is shopping the series domestically and internationally. With cameras rolling now, expect first footage and a premiere window in the coming months.
What Fans Are Saying
Reactions are mixed but mostly positive. Some miss the full 20-Squad; most are thrilled that Hondo is back in any capacity. After cancellations, uncancellations, and one last run, Shemar Moore and Sony have kept the S.W.A.T. universe alive—now with a darker, scrappier edge. Roll SWAT.
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