Jay Harrington and Patrick St. Esprit will return to the S.W.A.T. universe — both are set to guest-star in the pilot of the new spinoff S.W.A.T. Exiles, joining Shemar Moore as he leads the fresh series. Production on the 10-episode project is slated to begin in Los Angeles later in September, and Sony Pictures Television is producing and will handle global distribution. The series does not yet have a broadcast or streaming home.
Familiar faces step back into the unit
Harrington and St. Esprit will reprise characters fans know well: Harrington returns as Sergeant David “Deacon” Kay, while St. Esprit will appear again as Commander Robert Hicks. Both actors are confirmed to appear in the pilot episode, offering a direct bridge from the original show into the new chapter. (Harrington is represented by UTA, A Management Company and Brecheen Feldman Breimer Silver Thompson; St. Esprit is represented by Justice & Ponder.)
The premise: Hondo leads a last-chance squad
S.W.A.T. Exiles resumes the story of Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson (Moore) after a high-profile mission spins out of control. Pulled out of forced retirement, Hondo must take command of an experimental, last-chance SWAT unit made up of untested, unpredictable young recruits. The series centers on his effort to weld that disparate group into an effective team while navigating culture and generational clashes — a through-line the creative team describes as a collision of duty-driven leadership and a new generation’s different priorities.
Creative team and production details
Jason Ning serves as showrunner and executive producer. Neal H. Moritz and Pavun Shetty of Original Film executive produce alongside Moore, James Scura and Jon Cowan. Sony Pictures Television produces and will distribute the series globally. The production plans to use much of the same crew that worked on the original S.W.A.T., and filming will begin in Los Angeles later this month for the 10-episode run.
Reactions from the original cast
The spinoff’s announcement has stirred a range of responses among the original ensemble. David Lim, who portrayed Victor Tan across all eight seasons, publicly expressed disappointment that the new show rolled out so soon after the finale and that not all original cast members were included. Lim conveyed that he had poured himself into the role and felt the timing of the spinoff’s reveal stung — though he also reiterated pride in what the original cast and crew created together.
Studio response and the promise of familiar faces
Studio executives have signaled they’re open to bringing more original characters into Exiles, but have kept the door intentionally flexible. Leadership at Sony Pictures Television has described the S.W.A.T. world as a family and indicated that how and when legacy characters might appear is still being worked out — it could range from frequent returns by several cast members to more occasional guest appearances.
Studio executives have also emphasized the tonal focus of Exiles: the show will explore the tension between traditional law-enforcement values and a generation of recruits with different attitudes about mental health, communication and teamwork — a generational dynamic the producers see as a core storytelling engine for the spinoff.
What to expect next
S.W.A.T. Exiles does not yet have a premiere date. While fans wait for scheduling and network details, the original S.W.A.T. remains available to stream on Paramount+. With established characters appearing in the pilot and the original production team largely intact, the new series aims to both honor the franchise’s roots and take it in a younger, riskier direction.
As production ramps up in Los Angeles, the key question will be how Exiles balances returning favorites with its new ensemble — and whether that blend satisfies longtime viewers while building a fresh audience for Hondo’s next chapter.
