“S.W.A.T.” can’t be swat down. In a shock transfer introduced Sunday night, Sony Pictures Television — a studio recognized for locating each means conceivable to revive its seemingly canceled collection — introduced that it had picked up, by itself, the spin-off collection “S.W.A.T. Exiles.”
“S.W.A.T.” star Shemar Moore is again to star within the new present, reprising his function as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson within the 10-episode sequel. The information comes simply two days after “S.W.A.T.” accomplished its eight-season run on CBS with a two-hour finale on May 16; Sony gave the greenlight regardless that “S.W.A.T. Exiles” has not but been offered to any shops, both domestically or internationally.
But in asserting the information at its LA Screenings occasion for worldwide consumers, Sony is betting that it’ll discover “the right homes and partners for these new stories to reach the passionate ‘S.W.A.T.’ fanbase and attract new viewers,” the corporate stated in a launch. Sony will pitch the present to streamers, broadcast and cable networks.
That presumably consists of both CBS or its sister streamer Paramount+, and even Netflix, the place “S.W.A.T.” library can presently be discovered.
CBS introduced in March that it was cancelling “S.W.A.T.” after eight seasons and 163 episodes — however that repped the third time “S.W.A.T.” has been cancelled by the Eye web. “S.W.A.T.” had beforehand introduced again to life for a Season 8 after CBS beforehand introduced that its seventh season would be its last. And that wasn’t its first time, as CBS also axed the show in 2023 after Season 6, earlier than asserting it might return for an additional run.
In each of these earlier uncancellations, CBS, Sony Pictures TV and CBS Studios have been in a position to work out the deal to carry the present again at a license payment that made sense for all concerned. But that wasn’t the case this time, which is why Sony is opting to go it alone with “S.W.A.T. Exiles.”
In preserving the “S.W.A.T.” universe alive, Sony stated in its launch that this underscored its “commitment to producing high-quality content and enhances the value of key intellectual property in the evolving television landscape.”
Sony stated it’s already creating the brand new present, and that it plans to start out manufacturing this summer season in Los Angeles. The studio famous that in greenlighting “S.W.A.T. Exiles” that it was “preserving jobs for the 200-person local production crew who have been instrumental to the success of the original series for the last eight seasons.”
Here’s the longline for the spinoff: “After a high-profile mission goes sideways, Daniel ‘Hondo’ Harrelson 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,” “The Brothers Sun”) has joined the collection as an govt producer and showrunner, as a part of his lately renewed general deal at Sony Pictures TV. Moore can also be an EP, together with Neal H. Moritz and Pavun Shetty of Original Film, in addition to James Scura.
In an announcement, Moore stated (sure, the caps and exclamation marks are all his): “My eight seasons on ‘S.W.A.T.’ 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 S.W.A.T. with Sony. Katherine Pope, Neal H. Moritz, Jason Ning, and I will keep the franchise, thrill ride action, heartfelt drama, and storytelling of S.W.A.T. alive. WE DON’T LOSE!!!! ROLL SWAT!!!”
Sony Pictures TV chairman Keith Le Goy stated increasing the “S.W.A.T.” franchise was an instance of how “we believe in championing powerful storytelling and in our teams’ exceptional ability to create and deliver these stories to audiences around the world. This belief is embedded in our DNA and central to every decision we make.”
Added Sony Pictures TV Studios prexy Katherine Pope: “We couldn’t be more excited to bring the next chapter of ‘S.W.A.T.’ to life — both for our incredibly dedicated fans of the original franchise and for a new generation of viewers. We’re grateful to our incredible partners Neal H. Moritz, Pavun Shetty, Jason Ning and Shemar Moore for embarking on this journey with us. This team’s commitment to the global fanbase, to our beloved crew and to our city runs deep.”
Ning’s credit additionally embody “Perception,” “The Expanse” and “Mrs. Davis.” He’s subsequent writing and exec producing (with Ronald D. Moore and Sony Pictures TV) an adaptation of “Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon,” based mostly on the ebook collection by Wang Dulu.
“It’s an incredible honor to carry forward the legacy of a show that fans around the world have come to love,” Ning stated in an announcement. “Working with Shemar Moore, who defines what it means to be a leading man, and introducing a new generation of characters into this world is a dream.”
