Re: S.W.A.T. lives on ...

On 2025-05-19 1:29 PM, Robin Miller wrote:

  ‘S.W.A.T.’ Spinoff Planned By Sony With Shemar Moore Set To Reprise His Role As Hondo  (May 18)
 https://deadline.com/2025/05/swat-spinoff-sony-shemar-moore-returns- hondo-1236403674/
  Sony Pictures Television is spinning off the cop drama for a new show dubbed S.W.A.T. Exiles. Moore will reprise his character as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson while the 200-person production crew that helped to make S.W.A.T. a success for CBS will get to keep their jobs when production resumes this summer in Los Angeles.
 Here’s the logline for the spinoff: “After a high-profile mission goes sideways, Hondo is pulled out of forced retirement to lead a last-chance experimental SWAT unit made up of untested, unpredictable young recruits. Hondo must bridge a generational divide, navigate clashing personalities, and turn a squad of outsiders into a team capable of protecting the city and saving the program that made him who he is.”
 Jason Ning (Lucifer) will take over as showrunner as part of his recently renewed overall deal with SPT. The plan for the studio is to produce and distribute the 10-episode series globally by “finding the right homes and partners for these new stories to reach the passionate S.W.A.T. fanbase and attract new viewers.”

I have mixed feelings about this. I'm happy that it's coming back - with the 10 episodes hopefully just being the first of several seasons - but I'm really not that wild about it being just Hondo with a whole new crew of misfits.
I thought the show had become a genuine ensemble with us getting to know all of the team members, including Commander Hicks. They weren't just there as live set decorations: they actually got to be real characters. I will miss the cast that (apparently) isn't going to be on the sequel.
Overall, I think I would have been happier if they'd kept the existing show going on a new network or streamer but I'll give the new show a try anyway and, hopefully, it will win me over.
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Rhino