S.W.A.T. gets the axe as Exiles scores a fresh start at Starz
Case closed: SWAT spin-off Exiles finally has an official premiere date.
Well, that did not take long. After CBS pulled the plug on S.W.A.T. earlier this year, the franchise is already rebooting itself with a new chapter. And yes, Shemar Moore is back.
So where is S.W.A.T.: Exiles landing?
Starz has picked up the spinoff S.W.A.T.: Exiles, with Sony Pictures Television handling international distribution across Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East, Africa, and more. The show is set to premiere on September 25, 2026, in the U.S. on Starz, with the exact time still TBA.
Worth noting: Sony built Exiles on spec before locking in a buyer. In 2026, that is a confident swing.
The setup
Exiles brings Daniel 'Hondo' Harrelson out of retirement to drill a fresh batch of recruits and, if things go sideways the way they usually do, keep the S.W.A.T. program from getting shut down after a mission goes wrong.
Who is in it
- Shemar Moore returns as Daniel 'Hondo' Harrelson.
- Also back: Jay Harrington, Patrick St. Esprit, and David Lim.
- New faces joining the team: Lucy Barrett, Adain Bradley, Zyra Gorecki, Freddy Miyares, and Ronen Rubinstein.
A quick word from Hondo himself
"I couldn't be more excited that Starz is bringing this next chapter to audiences in the U.S. A huge thank you to Sony Pictures Television for believing in this franchise and continuing to invest in what we've built together."
How we got here
The current S.W.A.T. run launched in 2017, quickly found its audience, and lasted almost eight seasons before CBS finally canceled it. Now Sony is keeping the brand very much alive, just changing the jersey from broadcast to premium cable.
Need something to watch while you wait?
If you want a similar hit of tactical action and squad drama, The Unit is still a rock-solid binge. Created by David Mamet, it aired on CBS from 2006 to 2009, ran 4 seasons (69 episodes), and took cues from the real-world Delta Force. It even snagged a Primetime Emmy nomination. The cast included Dennis Haysbert, Scott Foley, Regina Taylor, Robert Patrick, Max Martini, and Audrey Marie Anderson. And if you want more boots-on-the-ground procedural energy, Chicago P.D. plays in a similar sandbox.