S.W.A.T. Exiles brings Hondo back to Starz on 25 September

Shemar Moore is back as Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson in S.W.A.T. Exiles, which premieres on Starz on 25 September 2026. Starz

The series is a spin-off, a new story built around a character from an earlier show. Hondo leads a last-chance experimental unit of untested recruits. He is pulled back into action and must hold the group together as tensions rise. Starz

The original S.W.A.T. premiered in November 2017. It starred Moore as Sergeant Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson, a former Marine leading Twenty Squad in Los Angeles. The story was loosely based on real-life police experiences and drew on the 1975 series and the 2003 film. The Hollywood Reporter

That run had a bumpy ending. CBS cancelled the show in May 2023 after six seasons, then reversed the decision. Season seven started on 16 February 2024, followed by an eighth and final season that closed the CBS run on 16 May 2025. Sony Pictures Television, which produces and distributes the franchise, ordered the spin-off days later. The Hollywood Reporter Deadline

He did not stay away long. The new series is guided by showrunner Jason Ning, the writer-producer in day-to-day charge of the series. His earlier credits include The Brothers Sun on Netflix and Lucifer.

Exiles brings in five new faces alongside Moore. Ronen Rubinstein plays Jude Callan, Freddy Miyares plays Ethan Cole and Zyra Gorecki plays Cassidy Han. Lucy Barrett plays Samantha "Sammy" Bishop and Adain Bradley plays Malik Henderson.

Ning said his approach was sparked by an article about Navy SEALs struggling to bring Gen Z recruits into their ranks. That generation gap shapes the new unit, with a veteran leader and young officers learning how to work together.

For viewers keeping track, this means a new home and a new squad. The CBS chapter is finished, and Hondo's next mission starts on Starz with a team that has everything to prove.