You can’t keep a thriving franchise down for long, and that’s definitely the case for “S.W.A.T.” Despite the original series facing multiple cancellations, the show demonstrated resilience. Still, it seems the battle has finally reached its end. In Hollywood, when one opportunity fades, another often arises. Realizing “S.W.A.T.” wouldn’t return this time, the creators decided to pivot towards developing a spin-off.

The Season 8 finale of “S.W.A.T.” paved the way for a new spin-off series, now a confirmed reality under the title “S.W.A.T. Exiles.” Exclusively owned and distributed by Sony Pictures Television, it has the potential to appear on any platform with a Sony distribution agreement. This effort aims to keep the spirit of the Twenty Squad alive for the predictable future. But who will star in this new venture, what will its focus be, and who will steer the project? Here’s what we know so far about “S.W.A.T. Exiles.”

In “S.W.A.T. Exiles,” only one familiar face from the Twenty Squad reappears: Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, portrayed by Shemar Moore. Reportedly, Moore reached out to his fellow cast members to inform them they wouldn’t partake in the spin-off, due to narrative choices. This series places Hondo in an unfamiliar setting, engaging with fresh villains and circumstances, resulting in minimal overlap with the original series. He can’t truly be a fish out of water if he’s swimming in familiar waters, after all.

Moore explained via an Instagram reel why the show’s producers made this choice. Comparing the franchise to a football team and calling himself that team’s quarterback, Moore declared: “You know, people get traded. Tight ends get traded. The running back gets traded, the receivers get traded, but the teams keep pushing with their quarterback and I’m that guy. So proud, so grateful. Not gonna apologize for nothing. Busted my a** for 31 years to do what I do, and excited for the future.”

He’s understandably happy that he gets to keep on playing Hondo, but there’s apparently some ill feeling behind the scenes. While Moore reached out to some of his colleagues to break the news, Deadline reports that a lot of people who worked on the show weren’t extended the same courtesy and only found out when the official announcement was made, including those at CBS. The lack of communication from Sony was branded “inappropriate” and “a slight” by one of the talent reps involved.

The premise of “S.W.A.T. Exiles” sees Hondo in an entirely new place in his life. Apparently, Twenty Squad is no more. Hondo is languishing in forced retirement until he’s once more called into action by the government following a botched mission. His new job? To shape a much younger team of recruits and trainees into an elite S.W.A.T. force. He must do this under pain of having the whole S.W.A.T. division permanently disbanded, something Hondo naturally cannot endure.

The generation gap will be a real problem for Hondo. He desperately wants to save the S.W.A.T. division, but these kids don’t play by his long-established rules. Hondo is old school, they are not. He may end up having to take the higher ground if he’s to achieve his goal. While Hondo’s recruits haven’t been cast just yet (Deadline reports that Sony likely plans on “surrounding Moore with up-and-comers”), the series has already landed quite an experienced showrunner.

While the cast, the writers, and the directors are not set in stone yet, “S.W.A.T. Exiles” at least has a showrunner attached, and it’s a man with a lot of TV experience. The series is going to be under the guidance of Jason Ning, who has previously worked as a producer on the likes of “The Expanse,” “Killer Women,” “Perception,” “Mrs. Davis,” “Lucifer,” and “The Brothers Sun.” He will also serve as a producer on the “S.W.A.T.” spin-off. 

Ning’s background is actually in writing. He got his start writing for the NBC series “Crossing Jordan” and went on to work on the likes of “Burn Notice,” the “90210” reboot, and “The Mysteries of Laura.” He has also penned episodes of “Perception,” “The Expanse,” and “Lucifer.” Ning will have a busy 2025; besides his “Exiles”-centered duties, he has been attached to write and co-produce the upcoming “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon” series, which he also had a hand in developing for television. Both series are part of Ning’s overall deal with Sony Pictures Television, which he recently renewed.