Which ‘S.W.A.T.' Stars Are — And Aren't — Returning for Surprise Spinoff After Multiple Cancellations?
The cast of S.W.A.T. has weathered multiple cancellations while continuing to advocate for more seasons of the show — but that doesn't mean everyone is returning for the surprise spinoff.
Based on the 1975 TV show and 2003 film adaptation of the same name, S.W.A.T. centered around the Los Angeles Police Department. The CBS series premiered in 2017 and aired six seasons before it was picked up for a seventh and final season. CBS ultimately reversed that decision and S.W.A.T. returned for season 8. But the celebration didn't last long — the network canceled the show for a second time in March 2025.
S.W.A.T. seemingly came to an end two months later when the series finale aired on CBS. In the final episode, the team survived yet another mission and the last scene showed 20 Squad leaving headquarters to take on their next crisis.
Just two days after the finale aired, Sony Pictures Television picked up a spinoff titled S.W.A.T. Exiles, which will pick up 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." Shemar Moore's character 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."
Which TV Shows Were Canceled Multiple Times Before the Decision Stuck? From 'S.W.A.T.' to '7th Heaven'
Moore reacted to the 10-episode continuation of S.W.A.T., saying in a statement, "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."
He continued: "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!!!'
While Moore's return was announced, fans couldn't help but notice that the rest of the cast wasn't confirmed. The last season of S.W.A.T also starred Jay Harrington, David Lim, Patrick St. Esprit, Anna Enger Ritch, Annie Ilonzeh and Niko Pepaj.
Keep scrolling for what each cast member has said about whether they would reprise their character — and whether they have officially been offered the chance to return:
'To all my homies, fans and baby girls… to everybody out there around the world who have supported us for eight years, first of all, thank you," the actor, who plays Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson, said in a video shared by Sony Pictures Television. "We couldn't have done this without you,' he said. 'I know the sad news is we got cancelled, but the good news is we don't stop fighting. And guess what happens when you don't stop fighting? We won! S.W.A.T. ain't going nowhere! Hondo ain't going nowhere!"
Before the series finale, Harrington reflected on his character Deacon's conclusion, telling TV Insider in May, "The way the writers crafted this entire 13 episodes was really, really interesting because they didn't want it to be — not just because there's a chance we could come back, but sometimes in shows when they just end and they tie it all into this bow and it's perfect, yeah, you want to do that in some way, but these guys, SWAT officers, they're special."
He continued: "So they really wanted the idea of, the show must go on and it's a job that doesn't go away and we don't lose them. They crafted it very, very smartly, I think."
Despite showing interest in a return, Harrington hasn't publicly reacted yet to the spinoff news and his name wasn't listed in the press release.
When viewers last saw Tan, he accepted a liaison position but remained in the field with the rest of 20 Squad. Lim, meanwhile, has yet to address the surprise spinoff but has expressed interest in remaining in the universe.
'It might not be just over for S.W.A.T. just yet,' he said on KTLA 5 Morning News in April 2025. 'We believe in the show. We believe in what we've built. We're passionate. We want to continue. We're actively trying to find a new home for S.W.A.T., and there's been an outpouring of love and support from our fans.'
Ritch, who plays Zoe Powell, has pitched ideas for what other stories there are still left to tell, sharing with Collider in March 2023, 'I think it would be interesting to see the women go through trying to juggle what it would be like to have a family and also maintain a SWAT tactical officer career. I don't think that's anything I've ever dove into on this show particularly, but hopefully, as we continue, should we continue, that would be an interesting exploration.'
The actress, however, hasn't sounded off on the spinoff — or whether Powell will appear — yet.
Every TV Spinoff to (Hopefully) Look Forward to in 2025: From 'The Testaments' to 'The Madison'
After being promoted to main cast, Pepaj has continued to show support for his character Alfaro's journey. Pepaj documented the days leading up to the series finale but hasn't weighed in on S.W.A.T.'s spinoff.
Before news of S.W.A.T. Exiles broke, Ilonzeh spoke with Us Weekly about attempts to revive the series.
"We are crossing our fingers. So there is a particular discussion being had. I hope I can say [soon] that we really did it. We rallied for a third time," she shared in April 2025 while reflecting on her time playing Gamble. "But we're making noise. They do see it — producers and streamers that are interested — they are like, 'OK, this is something.' So if we can plug and play, we're all geared up to go. We don't want this ride to be over."
Despite fighting for S.W.A.T. to get a new home, it would be the show's last battle to stay on the air.
"I was just talking to [my costar] Shemar [Moore] yesterday and he was like, 'If we do this for a third time — whenever we do get canceled again — I will be OK with it. I'm not fighting for a fourth [time] because we really did it and we end on that,'" she noted. "We will end on the fight and the win and relish in all of this and squeeze the life out of it. We will know that we did it, we did our job and we can walk away happy campers."
Ilonzeh has also not acknowledged the spinoff news yet.
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