Shemar Moore Returns as a Bitter Hondo in Starz's S.W.A.T. Exiles Spinoff
Shemar Moore is back as Sergeant Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson Jr., but he's a far cry from the leader fans remember. According to Variety, the Starz spinoff "S.W.A.T. Exiles" picks up two years after the CBS series ended. Hondo is divorced, living in an empty house, and has been forced out of the LAPD after a botched raid led to the death of a squad member. He's reluctantly working as a bodyguard for wealthy tech clients until he's offered command of a new, seemingly doomed unit.
Showrunner Jason Ning told TVLine that Moore "embraced the idea of playing a different Hondo." The character is described as "angry and bitter and wounded" following his losses, which include the death of a young man named Nico and his divorce from Nichelle. Ning says the show will unpack the details of the split, which involves "a bit of a conspiracy."
Per Variety, Hondo's new 44 Squad, nicknamed the Exiles, is a Gen Z team he struggles to lead. The squad includes social media influencer Sammy Bishop, Marine veteran Malik Henderson, tech savant Ethan Cole, intense Cassidy Han, and cocky Jude Callan. Ning told TVLine he was inspired by articles about Navy SEALs having trouble integrating Gen Z, creating an "amazing source of conflict."
The show's first season features a conspiracy against Hondo, with someone inside feeding information to undermine him. TVLine reports the premiere ends by revealing Malik Henderson as a mole, shown meeting a mysterious woman and vowing to expose Hondo.
Familiar faces from the original series appear. Commander Robert Hicks, played by Patrick St. Esprit, recruits Hondo back. Jay Harrington's Deacon offers Hondo encouragement at a low point. Showrunner Ning told TVLine more cameos are planned, including David Lim as Victor Tam later in the season, aiming to honor the original show while giving the spinoff its own identity.
"S.W.A.T. Exiles" debuted September 25 on Starz, with new episodes airing weekly. Variety reports the series has already been greenlit for a second season.
