The S.W.A.T. franchise is roaring back to life. After the mothership series was canceled twice and ultimately ended its eight-season run in May 2024, the long-rumored spin-off S.W.A.T. Exiles has officially landed at Starz. The streaming and cable network announced today that the show, starring Shemar Moore as fan-favorite Daniel 'Hondo' Harrelson, will premiere on September 25.
The news caps a months-long bidding war that erupted after production on the first season wrapped in February. Sony Pictures Television, which produced the original series, screened early episodes in Los Angeles, London, and New York to drum up interest. Starz ultimately won the rights, with President Alison Hoffman calling the acquisition a perfect fit: 'S.W.A.T. Exiles engages a deeply passionate fan base that aligns strongly with our audience. We're thrilled to join forces with Sony to be the first place U.S. fans can experience the thrilling new chapter in the franchise.'
Moore's Passion Project
For Shemar Moore, this spin-off is deeply personal. The actor, who also serves as an executive producer, has been the driving force behind the franchise's survival. When CBS canceled S.W.A.T. in 2023, Moore rallied fans and the show was revived for a final season. Now, with Exiles, he's taking the story in a new direction. 'S.W.A.T. Exiles is coming in hot! I couldn't be more excited that Starz is bringing this next chapter to audiences in the U.S.,' Moore said in a statement. 'A huge thanks to Sony Pictures Television for believing in this franchise and continuing to invest in what we've built together.'
The spin-off picks up after the events of the original series, sending Hondo and a select team of operatives on high-stakes missions that take them beyond Los Angeles. While plot details remain under wraps, early buzz suggests a grittier, more serialized tone than the network procedural. The show joins a growing slate of police dramas on streaming, including recent hits like Peter Krause's 'Line of Fire' on NBC.
A Franchise Reborn
The S.W.A.T. franchise has proven remarkably resilient. Based on the 1975 TV series and the 2003 film, the modern reboot debuted on CBS in 2017 and quickly built a loyal audience. Despite two cancellations—first in 2023 and again in 2024—the show kept finding new life, thanks in large part to Moore's advocacy and Sony's commitment. The spin-off was first reported last summer, and fans have been eagerly awaiting news of a distributor ever since.
Starz, known for hits like Power and Outlander, is betting that S.W.A.T. Exiles will attract both existing fans and new viewers. The network has been expanding its original programming, and this acquisition gives it a proven IP with a built-in audience. For Moore, the move represents a homecoming of sorts: he previously starred on the long-running CBS soap The Young and the Restless before transitioning to primetime.
As the entertainment landscape continues to shift, S.W.A.T. Exiles stands as a testament to the power of fan passion and star power. With a premiere date locked and production already complete, the countdown to September 25 has officially begun. Stay tuned for more updates on this and other upcoming releases, including 'Silo' Season 3 on Apple TV+.
