Where Did ‘S.W.A.T.’ Leave Off? What to Know Before ‘Exiles’ Premieres

You can’t keep S.W.A.T. — and especially Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, played by Shemar Moore — down. The new spinoff, S.W.A.T. Exiles, was announced very soon after the original CBS series ended, and it was filmed before it even had a home. Now, it does, coming to Starz on Friday, September 25.

In the time between series, Hondo’s stepped away from S.W.A.T., but while we wait to find out why — and how we’ll see some other original series characters in the new series — let’s take a look at what you need to know before Exiles.

How did S.W.A.T. end?

The series capped off with a two-parter on May 16, 2025. In the first, Gamble (Annie Ilonzeh) let her brother Leon (Nick Creegan) go after learning he was connected to the team’s target, a drug dealer, and because of that, Hondo let her transfer. However, when HQ came under attack by mercenaries looking to free their leader, Gamble was there to pack up her things and part of 20 Squad (also consisting of Jay Harrington‘s Deacon, David Lim‘s Tan, Anna Enger Ritch‘s Powell, and Niko Pepaj‘s Alfaro) working together — despite some being inside and others outside — to resolve the situation (as they did, successfully).

Two weeks after that, Gamble was still part of the team; Tan, looking to make a difference, had become the S.W.A.T. mayoral liaison; and Deacon’s security firm was going strong, leading to a nice signing bonus that he used to buy the squad watches with 20 Squad and Stay Liquid engraved on the backs. The finale ended with the squad heading out to deal with a robbery in progress.

Why was S.W.A.T. canceled?

It wasn’t easy for S.W.A.T. to even make it to eight seasons. First, it was canceled after the sixth season, only for CBS to bring it back for a seventh and final season. Then, the following year, in May 2024, the network picked it up for the eighth season, which ended up being the last.

In part, during his response to the final cancellation, Moore said, speaking to CBS, “If you’re done — I know it’s about money, optics, politics — I don’t think you’re making the right decision. But if you are done, I say thank you, genuinely, honestly.”

Executive producer Shawn Ryan suggested to Deadline in January 2025, ahead of the final cancellation, reasons why the series might not return for a ninth season.

“We understand that a corporate change is happening in the world,” he said. “I don’t know what the plans are. I don’t know what the criteria for renewal is going to be. It seems like it could be much different than years past. I don’t know if it’s an advantage or disadvantage that we’re produced by an outside studio this year. I think economics are going to play into things, so it’s all uncertain, but we’re just going to continue to make the best show we can that our audience loves, and we’ll see where the chips fall. And that’s what we’ve done the last few seasons. We’re really proud of the legacy of that show.”

Is anyone from S.W.A.T. returning besides Shemar Moore for Exiles?

The spinoff was announced two days after the finale aired. At the time, Moore was the only one said to be reprising his role.

After the news broke, Lim posted a lengthy message on Instagram that included, in part, “I’d be lying if I said the rollout of the new spinoff didn’t sting. It was tough to see it announced just two days after our finale—with no mention of the cast who helped build S.W.A.T. from day one. After 8 incredible seasons, it felt like we were brushed aside when there could’ve been a moment of reflection and recognition—for the people who built this show, and for the impact it had on so many.”

Harrington told TVLine that the announcement “stung,” explaining, “It’s just a fine line between ‘owed’ and ‘just let me know,’ for the studio just to say, ‘Hey, this is what we’re thinking…. It’s a new idea, but this is the route we gotta go, and unfortunately, the way it’s structured, we want to make a clean break, start fresh.’ Well, what do you say to that? ‘OK, well, good luck!’”

He added, “So if there was any disappointment, it’s that when they announced it, we weren’t mentioned at all. That was it. And it was short-lived because I thought, ‘I’m not going to let that take away from what I know in my heart is eight years of putting in some great work.’”

Since then, it has been announced that Harrington, Lim, and Patrick St. Esprit (Commander Robert Hicks) will all be in S.W.A.T. Exiles.

What is S.W.A.T. Exiles about?

According to the logline, “After a high-profile mission goes sideways, Daniel ‘Hondo’ Harrelson is pulled out of forced retirement to lead a last-chance experimental S.W.A.T. unit made up of untested, unpredictable young recruits. Hondo must bridge a generational divide, navigate clashing personalities, and turn a squad of outsiders into a team capable of protecting the city — and saving the program that made him who he is.”

Who’s in the S.W.A.T. Exiles cast?

In addition to Shemar Moore reprising his role as Hondo, S.W.A.T. Exiles stars Ronen Rubinstein as Jude, Freddy Miyares as Ethan, Zyra Gorecki as Cassidy, Adain Bradley as Malik, and Lucy Barrett as Sammy.

When does S.W.A.T. Exiles premiere?

S.W.A.T. Exiles premieres on Friday, September 25, on Starz.