“S.W.A.T.” can’t be swat down. In a surprise move announced Sunday evening, Sony Pictures Television — a studio known for finding every way imaginable to revive its seemingly canceled series — announced that it had picked up, on its own, the spin-off series “S.W.A.T. Exiles.”
“S.W.A.T.” star Shemar Moore is back to star in the new show, reprising his role as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson in the 10-episode sequel. The news comes just two days after “S.W.A.T.” completed its eight-season run on CBS with a two-hour finale on May 16; Sony gave the greenlight even though “S.W.A.T. Exiles” has not yet been sold to any outlets, either domestically or internationally.
But in announcing the news at its LA Screenings event for international buyers, Sony is making a bet that it will find “the right homes and partners for these new stories to reach the passionate ‘S.W.A.T.’ fanbase and attract new viewers,” the company said in a release. Sony will pitch the show to streamers, broadcast and cable networks.
That presumably includes either CBS or its sister streamer Paramount+, or even Netflix, where “S.W.A.T.” library can currently be found.
CBS announced in March that it was cancelling “S.W.A.T.” after eight seasons and 163 episodes — but that repped the third time “S.W.A.T.” has been cancelled by the Eye net. “S.W.A.T.” had previously brought back to life for a Season 8 after CBS previously announced that its seventh season would be its last. And that wasn’t its first time, as CBS also axed the show in 2023 after Season 6, before announcing it would return for another run.
In both of those previous uncancellations, CBS, Sony Pictures TV and CBS Studios were able to work out the deal to bring the show back at a license fee that made sense for all involved. But that wasn’t the case this time, which is why Sony is opting to go it alone with “S.W.A.T. Exiles.”
In keeping the “S.W.A.T.” universe alive, Sony said in its release that this underscored its “commitment to producing high-quality content and enhances the value of key intellectual property in the evolving television landscape.”
Sony said it’s already developing the new show, and that it plans to start production this summer in Los Angeles. The studio noted that in greenlighting “S.W.A.T. Exiles” that it was “preserving jobs for the 200-person local production crew who have been instrumental to the success of the original series for the last eight seasons.”
Here’s the longline for the spinoff: “After a high-profile mission goes sideways, Daniel ‘Hondo’ Harrelson is pulled out of forced retirement to lead a last-chance experimental SWAT 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.”
Jason Ning (“Lucifer,” “The Brothers Sun”) has joined the series as an executive producer and showrunner, as part of his recently renewed overall deal at Sony Pictures TV. Moore is also an EP, along with Neal H. Moritz and Pavun Shetty of Original Film, as well as James Scura.
In a statement, Moore said (yes, the caps and exclamation marks are all his): “My eight seasons on ‘S.W.A.T.’ have been epic and memorable. We entertained the world, defied the odds, came back from the dead twice, and continued to woo fans and families worldwide. I am excited for this next generation and iteration of S.W.A.T. with Sony. Katherine Pope, Neal H. Moritz, Jason Ning, and I will keep the franchise, thrill ride action, heartfelt drama, and storytelling of S.W.A.T. alive. WE DON’T LOSE!!!! ROLL SWAT!!!”
Sony Pictures TV chairman Keith Le Goy said expanding the “S.W.A.T.” franchise was an example of how “we believe in championing powerful storytelling and in our teams’ exceptional ability to create and deliver these stories to audiences around the world. This belief is embedded in our DNA and central to every decision we make.”
Added Sony Pictures TV Studios prexy Katherine Pope: “We couldn’t be more excited to bring the next chapter of ‘S.W.A.T.’ to life — both for our incredibly dedicated fans of the original franchise and for a new generation of viewers. We’re grateful to our incredible partners Neal H. Moritz, Pavun Shetty, Jason Ning and Shemar Moore for embarking on this journey with us. This team’s commitment to the global fanbase, to our beloved crew and to our city runs deep.”
Ning’s credits also include “Perception,” “The Expanse” and “Mrs. Davis.” He’s next writing and exec producing (with Ronald D. Moore and Sony Pictures TV) an adaptation of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” based on the book series by Wang Dulu.
“It’s an incredible honor to carry forward the legacy of a show that fans around the world have come to love,” Ning said in a statement. “Working with Shemar Moore, who defines what it means to be a leading man, and introducing a new generation of characters into this world is a dream.”
