Shemar Moore’s S.W.A.T. Spin-Off Series Left Multiple People Furious

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Refer to it as the franchise that just won’t fade away or take a moment to appreciate its uncanny fortune; after miraculously escaping cancellation on two prior occasions, the “S.W.A.T.” universe narrowly danced with the specter of television’s end, lasting merely 48 hours before being revived. In the final episode, Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson (Shemar Moore) delivered a fitting closing remark, but the character will continue in a fresh ten-episode spin-off series titled “S.W.A.T.: Exiles.” However, this swift decision left many who have been part of the extended franchise feeling upset and out in the cold, including the writers, directors, and actors from the original show. It’s even said that CBS executives only learned about the new series through media reports, causing a wave of hurt feelings and confusion over the rapid approval of “Exiles.

It seems Moore made an additional effort by personally informing his co-stars about the upcoming spin-off before the news was public. This is quite bold on his part, considering he’s the sole cast member set to appear in the new series. His former colleagues reportedly felt let down since they had lost their jobs and weren’t informed about the situation by Sony Pictures Television. However, at least they were given a heads-up before hearing about it from the media, which left none of them thrilled with the news that the “S.W.A.T.” franchise would persist without them.

CBS and the show’s writing staff found out about it in the trades

It seems that the agreement for “S.W.A.T.: Exiles” came together rather swiftly, with Sony eager to secure Moore under contract and retain the show’s team, as well as its production facilities. The aim is to present “S.W.A.T.: Exiles” to potential international buyers during the LA Screenings in May, and if successful, to progress from there. Remarkably, the process from idea conception to deal closure was completed by showrunner and co-EP Jason Ning within just two weeks.

It seems that all the writers of the series learned about the upcoming spin-off either through industry news or from the cast members. A talent representative, talking to Deadline about this matter, described the lack of communication from Sony as a “small oversight,” stating further that such unprofessional behavior was inappropriate. Another individual, speaking anonymously to Deadline, found the situation extremely strange.

Although Shemar Moore publicly expressed his affection for the ‘S.W.A.T.’ cast on Instagram, he simultaneously highlighted his significance to the series by stating, “I may not be Tom Brady, but I am the Tom Brady of ‘S.W.A.T.’ This isn’t boasting; it’s a statement of fact.” He continued, “I am the team leader… I had a powerful team, a family, a squad. And it would be unfair if I didn’t express to everyone, both watching and within the cast – I love you, I respect you, I value you.

Will S.W.A.T.: Exiles survive?

Nearly every series encountering a significant plot shift often faces difficulties. However, the TV show “S.W.A.T.” has managed to persist despite shedding numerous cast members over time, suggesting that fans might embrace the concept of the series evolving into a student-mentor format. If Hondo indeed serves as the principal character, similar to Tom Brady, then the absence of other cast members may not be felt for long. In fact, many shows have weathered similar transformations successfully; “Frasier” is one example, having achieved great success as a spin-off that branched out from its original show in a way that was comparably (though less contentiously) different.

From a devoted fan’s perspective, one of the key factors that sets S.W.A.T. apart is the camaraderie within the SWAT team, serving as a surrogate family for its members. With the spin-off introducing an entirely new set of characters, it raises the question: will fans find themselves bonding with these fresh faces, or might they opt for another series that offers the chance to follow a group from their inception? Though many adore Hondo, it seems like a long shot to keep viewers hooked on his journey without the familiar cast we’ve grown attached to. However, the unpredictable nature of S.W.A.T. has always been full of surprises, so who knows what twists and turns might be in store?

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2025-05-24 00:30