Sony has now announced that it will start production on a spin-off series this summer, which will reunite fans with Shemar Moore’s Hondo, but will take him in a new direction.

But why won’t there be a SWAT season 9, what have the cast and creatives said about the show ending, and what do we know about the spin-off? Read on for everything you need to know.

SWAT fans have been on quite the journey over the past few years – and it just keeps getting wilder.

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The series was initially cancelled in 2023 following season 6, but this decision was reversed, with the newly announced seventh season set to be a final run. It was intended that this would give the team the opportunity to give the show a fitting send-off.

However, following a campaign led by Moore, the show’s other stars and its fans, the show was saved once again, and it was renewed for season 8 in April 2024. CBS did not call that run the final season, suggesting the show could have continued for season 9.

Sadly for fans, news came through in March 2025 that SWAT was once again cancelled – with Deadline reporting that this time, it is for good.

In previous years, it is said that studio Sony Pictures Television proposed financial terms that were appealing to CBS, but this time around CBS did not engage in renewal talks at all.

It seems the decision was down to CBS needing to make room for new shows Sheriff Country and Boston Blue, spin-offs to Fire Country and Blue Bloods respectively. SWAT had lower viewing figures than many of the other dramas on the network’s current slate.

The team have been quick to offer their thoughts on the cancellation, with star Shemar Moore posting a video on Instagram in which he said that “it sucks, it’s sad”. He then called on other networks, and streamers such as Netflix, to pick up the show.

Alongside the video, he posted the caption: “SWAT IS CANCELED…. AGAIN!!! After 8 seasons… CANCELED… maybe this time for good!!! But my momma didn’t raise NO QUITTER!!!

“No Matter what, I AM GRATEFUL n THANKFUL!!! Almost 31 years in this game of Hollywood… JOURNEY OF A DREAMER!!! To my Homies, Fans, Baby Girls, SWAT CREW, and Hollywood…. I say THANK YOU!!!! And ‘FILL THE GAPS n STAY LIQUID… ROLL SWAT’!!!!”

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Meanwhile, executive producer and showrunner Andrew Dettmann said in a statement: “It’s heartbreaking news, primarily because it’s been such an immense pleasure working with this cast and crew to put out a show that we’ve always been proud of.

“They are truly an extraordinary group of people who have all worked so hard and have been so dedicated for all these eight seasons, overcoming countless challenges. I can’t give them enough credit. I feel so privileged to have been a part of the SWAT family.”

Executive producer and former showrunner Shawn Ryan also spoke out, saying: “It’s been an extraordinary privilege to work on SWAT for eight seasons and tell the stories of Hondo and 20-Squad. I thank our fans, Shemar Moore, the rest of our cast, our producers, Sony Pictures Television, CBS Studios and CBS for the opportunity.

“Most of all I want to thank our tireless, dedicated crew who made our writers, directors and cast always look good. My greatest concern right now is for them.”

However, after the finale aired, which ended with the team heading out on another mission, there was news that there was in fact another reprieve for SWAT – but not in the way fans might expect.

Instead of SWAT coming back for season 9, it will instead birth a new spin-off called SWAT: Exiles, with Shemar Moore reprising his role As Hondo.

What will the SWAT spin-off series be about?

Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson Jr in SWA
Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson Jr in SWAT. Sony Pictures Entertainment
The new SWAT spin-off, SWAT: Exiles, will come from showrunner Jason Ning and will see Shemar Moore reprise his role as Daniel ‘Hondo’ Harrelson. Filming will take place this summer and it will be made up of 10 episodes.

We don’t yet knoe where it will air, but production company Sony has said it will be “finding the right homes and partners for these new stories to reach the passionate SWAT fanbase and attract new viewers”.

The synopsis for the series says: “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.”

When the news was first announced, Moore said in a statement: “My eight seasons on SWAT have been epic and memorable. We entertained the world, defied the odds, came back from the dead twice, and continued to woo fans and families worldwide. I am excited for this next generation and iteration of SWAT with Sony.”

Notably, no other additional cast members have yet been announced, with the expectation being, given the synopsis, that none of the other SWAT stars will be back in major roles.

Moore addressed this in a video posted to Instagram, saying that he is the “Tom Brady of SWAT” and that other people “get traded”.

“That’s not arrogant. That’s not ego, it’s a fact,” Moore said. “Tom Brady might be the quarterback, but you know, people get traded. Tight ends get traded.

“The running back gets traded, the receivers get traded but the teams keep pushing with their quarterback and I’m that guy, so proud so grateful, not gonna apologise for nothing. Busted my ass for 31 years to do what I do, and excited for the future.”

SWAT airs on Sky Max and NOW. Get one month free Sky Stream, Sky TV and Netflix.

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