By Thomas Miller The newest update on the S.W.A.T. Exiles spinoff sheds light on its cast of characters. Just days after the S.W.A.T. series finale aired back in May, it was announced that Sony Pictures Television, which produces the action drama, was moving forward with the spinoff S.W.A.T. Exiles. Shemar Moore will be back as Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson Jr. However, he'll be joined by fresh faces.
In interviews, executives have been optimistic about the possibility that fan-favorites from S.W.A.T. will join the spinoff in some capacity. But, for the moment, the focus is on surrounding Hondo with a new group. Filming on the Sony TV project will start soon, as the first casting descriptions have started to trickle out.
TVLine reveals that filming on S.W.A.T. Exiles will begin in September, with casting currently underway for five characters. Initial details reveal that the five will consist of a Black former Marine from South Central, described as charismatic, and an undercover cop who has a questionable shooting in his past.
As for the remaining three, they'll include an amputee who has the distinction of being at the top of her class and refuses to settle behind a desk, in addition to a tactical prodigy whose social skills are disruptive. Lastly, the spinoff will feature a former beauty queen who now works as a law enforcement influencer.
What This Means For The S.W.A.T. Spinoff
Exiles Expands Its Focus
Shemar Moore as Hondo with his arm around the shoulder of Kenny Johnson as Dominque Luca in S.W.A.T.
The plot of S.W.A.T. Exiles is still mostly under wraps, including the way it may run counter to the original S.W.A.T. But the spinoff, which has been compared to Top Gun: Maverick, will see Hondo mix it up with an up-and-coming team. The team will likely test his patience, serving as a bit of a clash between different generations and viewpoints.
Fans could be surprised by fairly recurring presences by some familiar faces from the original. But the goal, at least for now, is to see whether the franchise's name could still find success with a group of newcomers. That will very much depend on who ends up in these lead roles, especially considering the frustration over the S.W.A.T. season 9 cancellation.
Our Take On S.W.A.T. Exiles
It's A Big Opportunity For The Actors
S.W.A.T. two people hiding in a bushy area
SWAT Season 8 Miko, Hondo, Tan
gamble and powell in swat s8e13
Four members of the S.W.A.T. cast in tactical gear.
The cast of S.W.A.T. in tactical gear.
The original series was fortunate enough to run for nearly a decade, building up a list of favorite S.W.A.T. episodes and serving as a reliable gig for the many recurring and regular performers that passed through the action drama. The S.W.A.T. Exiles spinoff, from Lucifer's Jason Ning as showrunner and executive producer, could serve as a launching pad for a whole new cohort.
