S.W.A.T. receiving a by-product after a number of cancellations ought to have been excellent news, however why has the choice — and particularly Shemar Moore — confronted backlash for it?
The procedural confronted its justifiable share of battles to stay on the air because it premiered in 2017. Six seasons had been put out on CBS earlier than S.W.A.T. was picked up for a seventh and remaining season. CBS in the end reversed that call and S.W.A.T. returned for season 8. However the celebration didn’t final lengthy — the community canceled the present for a second time in March 2025.
S.W.A.T seemingly got here to an finish two months later when the sequence finale aired on CBS. Days later, Sony Photos Tv picked up a by-product titled S.W.A.T. Exiles which is about to star Moore and a brand new SWAT unit.
The choice to revamp the forged didn’t sit effectively with viewers who tuned in week after week due to their favourite characters. Moore, nevertheless, defended the choice to solely maintain his character Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson.
“No person likes change. I perceive that. I get it 100%. However with out change, you’ll be able to’t develop. You’ll be able to’t win with out taking your lumps,” Moore defined in an Instagram video that very same month. “It ain’t straightforward making it within the sport of Hollywood. It ain’t. TV reveals don’t final eight years anymore. The sport has modified. However S.W.A.T. Exiles, child! S.W.A.T. Exiles. Larger, bolder. S.W.A.T. on steroids.”
Moore in contrast the artistic shakeup to taking part in soccer.
“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 truth. I’m the quarterback. I’m Shemar Moore a.ok.a Hondo,” he continued. “However I had a squad. A powerful squad. A household. A group. 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.”
Regardless of the controversy, Moore remained hopeful about S.W.A.T. Exiles.
“I’m excited that S.W.A.T. will get to maintain taking part in ball. I’m excited that the crew will get to place meals on their desk and cash of their accounts, and go to soccer apply and put their youngsters via the correct colleges. Saving jobs, working right here in L.A., preserving Hollywood in L.A. This can be a large deal,” he continued on Tuesday. “Yeah, a little bit bit bittersweet in some methods — however man, on the finish of the day, we bought to be so proud. We bought to be so proud as a result of we did the rattling factor. The world took discover. And the business took discover.”
Moore concluded: “Reveals get cancelled on a regular basis, however S.W.A.T. simply gained’t die as a result of y’all love S.W.A.T. You all love that loopy motion. You like the tales. You like the brotherhood, the sisterhood, all of that. That’s who we’re. That’s who S.W.A.T. is. Thrill journey with coronary heart. So, on today, we have fun, however we pay homage to what bought us there and to the people who bought us there, and I’ll always remember. All the time admire, and at all times present love.”
Maintain scrolling for a breakdown of the drama:
CBS’ S.W.A.T. is simply the most recent of many reveals that went via a number of cancellations earlier than the choice lastly caught. Whereas most reveals on CBS have had distinctive luck, S.W.A.T. was put via the wringer. Based mostly on the 1975 TV present and 2003 movie adaptation of the identical identify, S.W.A.T. centered on the Los Angeles Police […]
The Key Gamers
Based mostly on the 1975 TV present and 2003 movie adaptation of the identical identify, S.W.A.T. centered across the Los Angeles Police Division. Moore has led the sequence because it premiered on CBS in 2017 however the remainder of the forged has advanced and adjusted through the years.
The final season of S.W.A.T., which wrapped onscreen two days earlier than the spinoff was introduced, additionally starred Jay Harrington, David Lim, Patrick St. Esprit, Anna Enger Ritch, Annie Ilonzeh and Niko Pepaj.
Regardless of everybody’s efforts to carry the present again, Moore was the one one introduced as a principal forged member within the upcoming spinoff. S.W.A.T. Exiles will choose up after “a high-profile mission goes sideways, Daniel ‘Hondo’ Harrelson is pulled out of pressured retirement to steer a last-chance experimental SWAT unit made up of untested, unpredictable younger recruits.” Moore’s character should “bridge a generational divide, navigate clashing personalities, and switch a squad of outsiders right into a group able to defending town and saving this system that made him who he’s.”
The Gist
Moore initially reacted to the 10-episode continuation of S.W.A.T., saying in an announcement, “My eight seasons on S.W.A.T. have been epic and memorable. We entertained the world, defied the percentages, got here again from the lifeless twice, and continued to woo followers and households worldwide.”
He continued: “I’m excited for this subsequent technology and iteration of S.W.A.T. with Sony. Katherine Pope, Neal H. Moritz, Jason Ning, and I’ll maintain the franchise, thrill journey motion, heartfelt drama, and storytelling of S.W.A.T. alive. WE DON’T LOSE!!!! ROLL SWAT!!!”
Social media customers, nevertheless, identified that solely Pepaj acknowledged Moore’s video in regards to the information. Everybody else shared behind-the-scenes photographs whereas celebrating the S.W.A.T sequence finale at CBS. Since then, it has been largely silent from the remainder of the forged as Moore celebrated his new undertaking.
Why It’s a Large Deal
Moore’s feedback part was flooded with questions on why nobody else was introduced for the spinoff. Moore broke his silence by defending the choice, saying, “That’s my household for all times, OK? However similar to in sports activities, Tom Brady could be the quarterback, however individuals get traded. Tight ends get traded, the operating again will get traded, the receivers get traded.”
In line with Moore, the precedence was bringing S.W.A.T. again — with him on the helm after he originated the sequence. “However the group retains on pushing with their quarterback, and I’m that man,” he stated. “So proud, so grateful. I’m not going to apologize for nothing. Busted my ass for 31 years to do what I do, and I’m excited in regards to the future.”
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What Individuals Are Saying
S.W.A.T. followers had been fast to level out within the feedback part of Moore’s publish that the remainder of the forged from the CBS sequence made the present what it was. Most of Moore’s costars have but to publicly acknowledge him increasing the S.W.A.T universe solo.
Earlier than information of S.W.A.T. Exiles broke, Ilonzeh spoke with Us Weekly about their makes an attempt as a bunch to revive the sequence.
“We’re crossing our fingers. So there’s a specific dialogue being had. I hope I can say [soon] that we actually did it. We rallied for a 3rd time,” she shared in April 2025 whereas reflecting on her time taking part in Gamble. “However we’re making noise. They do see it — producers and streamers which might 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 journey to be over.”
Ilonzeh acknowledged that if S.W.A.T. was introduced again once more, it will be the present’s final battle to remain on the air.
“I used to be simply speaking to [my costar] Shemar [Moore] yesterday and he was like, ‘If we do that for a 3rd time — at any time when we do get canceled once more — I will probably be OK with it. I’m not combating for a fourth [time] as a result of we actually did it and we finish on that,’” she famous. “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 pleased campers.”
What’s Subsequent
Sony Photos Tv picked up S.W.A.T. Exiles for a 10-episode order however there isn’t a official premiere deliberate but. In line with the press launch, Sony is “specializing in discovering the correct properties and companions for these new tales to achieve the passionate S.W.A.T. fanbase and entice new viewers.” Improvement is at the moment underway and manufacturing is scheduled to start in summer time 2025 in Los Angeles and as soon as the spinoff is filmed, it is going to be shopped round.