The new S.W.A.T. spinoff series starring Shemar Moore has officially found its U.S. home. Starz has picked up the action drama, and the show will premiere on September 25, 2026.
The 10-episode series follows Moore’s character Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson as he comes out of retirement to lead a new team of young and untested recruits. Sony Pictures Television produced the show without a distributor attached, a rare move that allowed the studio to keep creative control.
What S.W.A.T. Exiles Is About
The spinoff picks up after a high-profile mission goes wrong. Hondo gets pulled from forced retirement to lead an experimental S.W.A.T. unit made up of unpredictable young recruits.
The official logline says 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.”
The show explores what happens when a battle-tested leader from an older generation faces recruits who challenge his methods at every turn.
Cast and Returning Faces
Shemar Moore leads the cast as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson.
New series regulars include:
- Ronen Rubinstein (9-1-1: Lone Star)
- Freddy Miyares (When They See Us)
- Lucy Barrett (Deep Water)
- Zyra Gorecki (La Brea)
- Adain Bradley (Warfare)
Some familiar faces from the original S.W.A.T. will also appear. Jay Harrington returns as Sergeant David “Deacon” Kay, and Patrick St. Esprit reprises his role as Commander Robert Hicks. David Lim will also return as Victor Tan in the penultimate episode.
Jason Ning serves as showrunner and executive producer. Neal H. Moritz and Pavun Shetty of Original Film also executive produce alongside Moore, James Scura, and Jon Cowan.
International Release and Streaming Details
Sony has secured distribution deals across every major region worldwide, including Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, and Africa.
Select international territories will premiere the show day-and-date with the U.S. release.
New episodes will air weekly on Fridays on Starz and also stream on the Starz app and on-demand platforms.
The Show’s Unusual Journey to Starz
The path to getting S.W.A.T. Exiles on air was far from typical. Sony Pictures Television announced the spinoff in May 2025, just days after CBS canceled the original S.W.A.T. for the final time following eight seasons.
The studio made the bold choice to produce the 10-episode series on its own without securing a U.S. distributor first. Production wrapped in February 2026. Sony then screened the first episode for buyers in Los Angeles, New York, and London, with Moore attending the events.
The strategy worked. Starz picked up the U.S. rights, and Sony closed deals with broadcasters in every major territory. The studio is also in talks with Netflix about second-window streaming rights, similar to how the original S.W.A.T. has been available on the platform for over three years.
Behind-the-Scenes Drama
The spinoff’s announcement in May 2025 created tension among the original cast. David Lim, who played Victor Tan for eight seasons, expressed his feelings on social media.
“I’d be lying if I said the rollout of the new spinoff didn’t sting. It was tough to see it announced just two days after our finale — with no mention of the cast who helped build S.W.A.T. from day one,” Lim wrote. “After 8 incredible seasons, it felt like we were brushed aside when there could’ve been a moment of reflection and recognition.”
Moore responded to the criticism by comparing himself to quarterback Tom Brady. “I’m not saying I’m Tom Brady, but I’m the Tom Brady of ‘S.W.A.T.’ — that’s not arrogant, that’s not ego, it’s the fact,” Moore said in an Instagram video. “I’m the quarterback.”
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What to Expect
Showrunner Jason Ning described the series as pushing into more personal territory. “This time, it’s not just about what happens on the streets of L.A., it’s about what it costs the people in that stack,” Ning said in a statement.
He added, “Pairing a battle-tested leader like Hondo with a generation that challenges him at every turn creates real friction and real evolution. It feels modern, character-driven, and built for the long haul.”
The series is produced by Sony Pictures Television and distributed globally.
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