“S.W.A.T. Exiles” premiered September 25 on Starz, giving Shemar Moore’s Hondo a new home after CBS canceled the original “S.W.A.T.” for good in May 2026, ending an eight-season run marked by multiple cancellation-and-revival cycles.

The new premise

Moore returns as Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, who steps away from leading the 20-David squad only to be pulled back into action to run an experimental, last-chance S.W.A.T. unit made up of untested and unpredictable young recruits. Jay Harrington and Patrick St. Esprit reprise their original roles as Deacon and Hicks in guest appearances, with David Lim also expected to appear as Victor Tan during the season.

A shorter, more focused season

Unlike the original series’ 20-plus episode seasons, Exiles runs just 10 episodes, a deliberate choice by Sony Pictures Television to keep the storytelling tighter. New episodes air weekly on Fridays at 9 p.m. on Starz, with streaming available through the Starz app.

A vote of confidence before airing

Starz and Sony committed to a second season before the first episode even aired, with Moore announcing the renewal himself on social media. The show found its home after an unusual path — Sony shot the entire first season without a confirmed network, screening it for international buyers in London before Starz picked up U.S. rights. Season 2 production is expected to begin within the next few months.

For fans who followed the original series’ rocky ride at CBS, the early renewal offers something the mothership show rarely had: stability.