Shemar Moore Returns as Hondo in S.W.A.T. Exiles on Starz

Hondo is back on duty. Shemar Moore returns as Sergeant II Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson Jr. in S.W.A.T. Exiles, which premieres on Starz on 25 September.

The series is a spinoff, meaning a new show built around a character from an earlier one, of CBS's S.W.A.T. The original police drama ran for eight seasons. Season 1 of the new chapter comprises 10 episodes and is set two years after that story ended, according to Variety.

The mission is different. After a fatal decision costs Hondo his career, he gets one shot at redemption to build a brand-new unit, Starz says in its synopsis for the opener. He comes out of retirement to lead it. The network describes the assignment as a last-chance experimental S.W.A.T. unit made up of untested recruits.

That team is 44 Squad, called the Exiles. Patrick St. Esprit reprises his role as LAPD Commander Robert Hicks, Hondo's former boss. The recruits bring fresh faces and fresh friction to the squad room.

Lucy Barrett plays Sammy Bishop. Adain Bradley plays Malik Henderson. Freddy Miyares plays Ethan Cole. Zyra Gorecki plays Cassidy Han, and Ronen Rubinstein plays Jude Callan.

The season starts with Episode 1, titled "Clean Entry". Episode 4 is titled "Get Clear". Four episodes were made available to critics ahead of launch. The series was created by Jason Nig.

Moore has talked up the scale. He described Exiles as "bigger" and "bolder" than the original S.W.A.T., calling it "S.W.A.T. on steroids", in comments reported by Variety. Starz is selling Hondo's new chapter as darker, deadlier and fuelled by betrayal.

The cast is led by Moore and described as diverse, according to Deadline. That same report said the show fits into Starz's focus on women and underrepresented audiences.

For fans, this means a new home and a new squad. The badge is familiar. The city is familiar. The team around Hondo is not, and the 10-episode run will decide whether this experimental unit holds together.