Shemar Moore was the one forged member to be forged within the S.W.A.T. spinoff — however what has everybody else stated about being excluded?
S.W.A.T., which premiered in 2017, constructed a stable fanbase as viewers tuned in each week to see 20 Squad tackle the most recent disaster. All through the seasons, the forged developed however Moore, Jay Harrington, David Lim and Patrick St. Esprit remained on our screens as S.W.A.T. confronted a number of cancellations.
By the ultimate season, S.W.A.T had been canceled twice and wrapped up with Moore, Harrington, Lim and Esprit on the heart alongside newbies Anna Enger Ritch, Annie Ilonzeh and Niko Pepaj. Your entire forged advocated for S.W.A.T. to return, which it did when Sony Photos Tv picked up a derivative titled S.W.A.T. Exiles days after the collection finale.
The information was met with criticism although when followers questioned why Moore was the one one to reprise his character. Moore defended the choice to return with out the remainder of the forged by his facet.
“No one likes change. I perceive that. I get it one hundred pc. However with out change, you’ll be able to’t develop. You’ll be able to’t win with out taking your lumps,” he defined in a Might 2025 Instagram video. “It ain’t straightforward making it within the recreation of Hollywood. It ain’t. TV exhibits don’t final eight years anymore. The sport has modified. However S.W.A.T. Exiles, child! S.W.A.T. Exiles. Greater, bolder. S.W.A.T. on steroids.”
He continued: “I’m not saying I’m Tom Brady, however I’m the Tom Brady of S.W.A.T. That’s not boastful. That’s not ego. It’s a reality. I’m the quarterback. I’m Shemar Moore a.okay.a Hondo. However I had a squad. A powerful squad. A household. A crew. And I’d be remiss If I didn’t say out loud to the world and to them — as a result of I do know they’re watching this — I really like you. I respect you. I admire you.”
The remainder of the S.W.A.T crew initially remained silent on the exclusion. Lim was the primary to interrupt his silence whereas applauding his former costars for his or her dedication to the present.
“I’m happy with how we fought for a ninth season. We believed we nonetheless had extra to present, extra tales to inform. We needed it for our crew, for one another, and for the newer faces simply becoming a member of us,” he wrote through Instagram that very same month. “It wasn’t within the playing cards for all of us — and that’s okay. We had a magical run and went out on a excessive word with these remaining two episodes.”
Lim acknowledged that he wasn’t thrilled to listen to about Sony Tv Photos ordering S.W.A.T. Exiles with solely Moore connected to look.
“I’d be mendacity if I stated the rollout of the brand new spinoff didn’t sting. It was robust to see it introduced simply two days after our finale — with no point out of the forged who helped construct S.W.A.T. from day one,” he continued. “After 8 unbelievable seasons, it felt like we have been brushed apart when there might’ve been a second of reflection and recognition — for the individuals who constructed this present, and for the influence it had on so many.”
Different S.W.A.T. stars have since subtly weighed in on the surprising information. Maintain scrolling for every part the S.W.A.T. forged has stated about not being introduced again for Exiles:
David Lim
“I’ve been sitting with every part that got here out final week, and I simply need to say this,” Lim, who performed Tan, wrote through Instagram in Might 2025. “Being part of S.W.A.T. for the previous 8 seasons has been one of many nice honors of my life. I poured my coronary heart into taking part in Tan — and much more than that, into the crew and friendships we constructed on and off display screen.”
Lim mirrored on the group dynamic behind the scenes, including, “What made S.W.A.T. particular wasn’t simply the motion, or one character. It was the squad. The bond. The camaraderie. The shared blood, sweat, tears, and laughs we gave to each episode. That easy chemistry was there from the very first day we got here collectively for the pilot, and it carried via all 8 seasons.”
Annie Ilonzeh
In response to Lim’s message, Ilonzeh confirmed her assist, writing, “Very properly stated David🫶🏽🤎.” Ilonzeh, who joined the present within the remaining season as Gamble, beforehand spoke concerning the forged’s efforts to revive S.W.A.T collectively.
“We’re crossing our fingers. So there’s a explicit dialogue being had. I hope I can say [soon] that we actually did it. We rallied for a 3rd time,” she solely advised Us Weekly in April 2025. “However we’re making noise. They do see it — producers and streamers which can be — they’re like, ‘OK, that is one thing.’ So if we will plug and play, we’re all geared as much as go. We don’t need this trip to be over.”
Ilonzeh famous that if S.W.A.T. was to obtain one other renewal, a ninth season can be the final, including, “I used to be simply speaking to [my costar] Shemar [Moore] yesterday and he was like, ‘If we do that for a 3rd time — every time we do get canceled once more — I will probably be OK with it. I’m not preventing for a fourth [time] as a result of we actually did it and we finish on that.’ We’ll finish on the battle and the win and relish in all of this and squeeze the life out of it. We’ll know that we did it, we did our job and we will stroll away blissful campers.”
Niko Pepaj
Pepaj, who additionally joined within the remaining season, replied to Lim’s put up, writing, “Love you brother.”
Jay Harrington
Harrington, who performed Deacon since season 1, replied with a number of fist bump emojis to Lim’s assertion concerning the shakeup.
Anna Enger Ritch
After being promoted to most important forged within the remaining season, Ritch despatched Lim a coronary heart emoji for talking out about them not being part of the following present within the S.W.A.T. franchise.
Rochelle Aytes
Whereas Aytes beforehand stepped away from S.W.A.T. to hitch Watson, she nonetheless weighed in on Lim’s public assertion, writing, “Fantastically stated!! Right here’s to an incredible 8 years! Might your subsequent journey be simply as unbelievable if no more!! ❤️❤️🙏🏽🙏🏽.”