Sony Pictures Television is taking S.W.A.T. to the next level, fam! They just announced that S.W.A.T. EXILES has officially begun production in Los Angeles. And we’ve got a sneak peek at the cast’s first day on set.
This ain’t your mama’s S.W.A.T., though. This new series is a bold, high-octane evolution of the franchise. Think higher stakes, fresh faces, and a darker edge to Shemar Moore’s iconic character, Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson.
“Get ready for S.W.A.T. 2.0!” Moore himself exclaimed. “After eight incredible years of defying the odds and entertaining the world, we’re about to take the franchise to a whole new level—bigger, better, and edgier. With a fresh cast and a darker, more intense Hondo, we’re ready to bring this story to life.”
Showrunner Jason Ning (The Expanse, Lucifer) says the energy on set is electric. “We’re honoring what made S.W.A.T. great while reinventing it through this scrappier, more character-driven lens,” Ning explained. “The new cast came in hungry, the crew’s firing on all cylinders, and it already feels like Exiles has its own heartbeat.”
The series is bringing a dynamic new lineup to our screens: Lucy Barrett (Charmed), Adain Bradley (Warfare), Zyra Gorecki (La Brea), Freddy Miyares (When They See Us), and Ronen Rubinstein (9-1-1: Lone Star). And for the OGs, Jay Harrington and Patrick St. Esprit will appear in the premiere episode, reprising their roles as “Sergeant David ‘Deacon’ Kay” and “Commander Robert Hicks.”
Here’s the deal: Hondo is pulled out of forced retirement after a mission gone wrong. He’s gotta lead an experimental SWAT unit made up of unpredictable, untested recruits. He’s gotta mold these misfits into elite protectors, while also confronting a new generation’s way of policing and the moral complexities that come with it. Heavy stuff, right?
With S.W.A.T. racking up nearly 2 billion viewing hours globally and landing as a top 10 series in 47 countries, S.W.A.T. EXILES has big boots to fill. But if Moore and Ning’s passion are anything to go by, we are definitely in for something special.
From the streets of L.A. to the global stage, the S.W.A.T. legacy continues—grittier, bolder, and unapologetically reborn.
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