Shemar Moore Returns in Explosive New 'S.W.A.T. Exiles' Spin-Off Trailer
Shemar Moore returns as Hondo in “S.W.A.T.: Exiles,” premiering September 25 on Starz. The spin-off follows Hondo as he forms a new S.W.A.T. unit from a group of rejects while uncovering a dangerous mole within his own ranks. This new series promises high-stakes action and internal intrigue.
Starz is set to premiere the highly anticipated spin-off series “S.W.A.T.: Exiles” on September 25, with new episodes airing weekly on Fridays. This continuation of the popular action series sees Emmy-nominated Shemar Moore reprise his iconic role as LAPD S.W.A.T. Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, bringing him out of forced retirement for a new mission.
The journey to “S.W.A.T.: Exiles” has been a dynamic one. The original “S.W.A.T.” reboot, which first aired on CBS in 2017, faced two cancellations—once after its sixth season and again after its eighth season, which concluded in May 2025. Despite these challenges, the series consistently found ways to survive, thanks in part to its dedicated fanbase. Following its final cancellation, Sony Pictures Television decided to commission the spin-off, “S.W.A.T.: Exiles,” initially without a network partner, banking on the show’s strong international following. Starz eventually acquired the series for its 2026 programming slate, joining other notable shows like “Fightland” and the “Power” franchise.
The premise of “Exiles” diverges significantly from the original series, which saw Hondo leading Twenty Squad in his home community. In the spin-off, a botched raid results in the death of a young operator, forcing Hondo into retirement and away from the life he painstakingly built. However, his old commanding officer, Robert Hicks (Patrick St. Esprit), offers him a new opportunity: to create and lead a new S.W.A.T. unit composed of Los Angeles’s most talented “rejects.” This squad is, by many accounts, built to fail.
Hondo’s new team is a diverse and colorful bunch. It includes gun-show influencer Sammy Bishop (Lucy Barrett), the socially awkward tactical savant Ethan Cole (Freddy Miyares), the guarded Cassidy Reed (Zyra Gorecki), the wildcard Jude Callan (Ronen Rubinstein), and the ambitious Malik Anderson (Adain Bradley). Original cast members Jay Harrington and David Lim are also slated to make appearances. As Hondo strives to mold this unconventional group into a disciplined and loyal unit, he faces the constant paranoia of an internal threat: a mole within his team feeding information to outside interests. This adversary aims not only to derail the Exiles but potentially to set up all of S.W.A.T. for failure.
The series will delve into Hondo’s efforts to build trust and camaraderie within his squad while simultaneously uncovering this hidden threat. He must contend with superiors who view him and his new team as rejects, using this perceived disadvantage as a rallying cry to forge them into a well-oiled machine. Jason Ning serves as showrunner and executive producer, alongside Shemar Moore, Neal H. Moritz, Pavun Shetty, James Scura, and Jon Cowan.