S.W.A.T. followers have been on an emotional rollercoaster over the previous two years, mourning the collection’ cancellation and rejoicing and its subsequent resurrection — thrice every.
Just like the motion drama’s first two comebacks at CBS — its stunning cancellation reversal in 2023 and equally stunning 2024 Season 8 renewal after Season 7 had been billed as closing — the newest one was a trigger for celebration — at the very least at first.
Just like the earlier two saves, that final one additionally got here as a shock, two and a half months after S.W.A.T.‘s newest (and everlasting) cancellation by CBS and solely 3 days after its collection finale aired on the published community. On Sunday night time, S.W.A.T. studio Sony Footage Tv introduced that it was extending the franchise with a by-product collection, S.W.A.T. Exiles, headlined by authentic collection’ star Shemar Moore reprising his character as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson.
The information in regards to the offshoot got here as a shock to the remainder of the S.W.A.T. forged and most writers who solely realized of the spinoff a few days prior. The oversight, which alienated some collection veterans, could have stemmed from the lightning pace with which Exiles got here collectively, with ink on the offers not dry but when the announcement was made.
The ten-episode Exiles comes from a brand new inventive workforce, with Jason Ning (Lucifer) as showrunner. Filming is ready to start this summer season in Los Angeles the place the unique collection was shot.
The preliminary fan elation — and props from the trade for Sony TV protecting S.W.A.T.’s 200-person LA-based crew employed — was quickly blended with questions on why different forged members weren’t recruited for the spinoff. Brewing fan criticism over the shortage of extra OGs on Exiles was addressed by Moore in an IG video, during which, touting the spinoff as “greater, bolder, S.W.A.T. on steroids,” he praised his castmates whereas utilizing a soccer metaphor to name himself the long-running collection’ quarterback.
Growth on steroids
Exiles got here collectively in a short time to unveil throughout the annual LA Screenings the place Sony TV is seeking to line up worldwide (in addition to home) consumers for the brand new collection.
The concept to do a S.W.A.T. spinoff had been floated on and off for years by co-creator, govt producer and former showrunner Shawn Ryan.
Since Ryan is beneath an unique total deal at Netflix, he has no involvement in S.W.A.T. Exiles. Nonetheless, I hear he was made conscious of it. In response to sources, Sony-based Unique Movie, which produced the S.W.A.T. collection in addition to the 2003 S.W.A.T. film, reached out to key inventive auspices on the CBS drama reminiscent of Ryan and Andrew Dettmann, govt producer/showrunner of the final three seasons, a number of weeks in the past, notifying them {that a} spinoff led by Moore was being fast-tracked with a brand new inventive workforce.
“SWAT universe was lifeless for lower than 48 hours. So thrilled for Shemar and our crew,” Ryan wrote on X following the announcement of Exiles. Can’t wait to see what they do with this…”
Ning’s involvement got here collectively even quicker. I hear The Brothers Solar writer-producer, who beforehand had an total cope with Sony TV the place he’s spearheading a Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon TV collection within the works at Amazon, was approached by the studio earlier this month with the overall concept for a S.W.A.T. offshoot with Moore. That kicked off a speedy means of him pitching his take and the challenge crusing via approvals to a collection inexperienced mild inside the span of two weeks. That included dealmaking that was wrapped up in time, with Sony TV asserting a brand new Ning total pact alongside the S.W.A.T. Exiles collection order.
That’s an especially fast turnaround following the mothership collection’ Match cancellation by CBS. In response to studio sources, Sony TV opted to bypass improvement on Exiles and as a substitute reality observe it to collection due to the quick window it needed to preserve Moore in addition to the S.W.A.T. soundstages and crew members in addition to put the challenge in entrance of worldwide consumers on the LA Screenings which kicked off late final week.
From left: Jay Harrington, Annie Ilonzeh, David Lim, Shemar Moore, Niko Pepaj and Anna Enger Ritch in ‘S.W.A.T.’
Invoice Inoshita/Sony Footage Tv/CBS ©Sony Footage Tv. All Rights Reserved.
Telling the forged
In response to sources, Moore was the one to interrupt the information to his former castmates, reaching out to them by a telephone name/textual content on Thursday or Friday final week to inform them that there was going to be a by-product which none of them had been a part of.
Sources near the actor say that he did the outreach so the forged heard it from him and didn’t really feel blindsided.
I hear some forged members had been upset about not getting a name from the studio and by the truth that they weren’t requested again. S.W.A.T. writers solely heard in regards to the offshoot via the actors, I hear.
CBS, which aired S.W.A.T. for eight seasons, had not been given heads-up in regards to the spinoff both, discovering out about it when the official announcement was made Sunday night time, sources stated.
One expertise rep referred to as the shortage of communication from the studio “inappropriate” and “a slight,” one other referred to as key individuals from the unique collection being stored at the hours of darkness “a little bit bizarre” and “a little bit slippery.”
The push to get the spinoff collectively in document time probably contributed to the considerably chaotic notification course of, and I hear Sony TV executives have since apologized to expertise for not reaching out to them immediately.
Identical Quarterback, New Group
The workplace premise of Exiles — Hondo (Moore) main “a last-chance experimental SWAT unit made up of untested, unpredictable younger recruits,” signifies that Sony TV is seeking to preserve expertise prices in test by surrounding Moore with up-and-comers.
That didn’t sit nicely with some followers who’ve been calling for Hondo to be joined within the spinoff by different OG characters, most notably, Jay Harrington’s fashionable Deacon.
In his prolonged IG video, Moore acknowledged his S.W.A.T. forged.
“I’m not saying I’m Tom Brady however I’m the Tom Brady of S.W.A.T. That’s not boastful. That’s not ego, it’s a reality. I’m the quarterback,” he stated.
Moore then continued, “However I had a powerful squad, a household, a workforce,” telling his former colleagues, “I like you, I respect you, I recognize you” earlier than naming his S.W.A.T. co-stars.
In a probable reference to the casting adjustments for the spinoff, he added, “Tight ends get traded. The operating again will get traded, the receivers get traded however the groups preserve pushing with their quarterback and I’m that man. So proud so grateful, not gonna apologize for nothing. Busted my ass for 31 years to do what I do, and excited for the longer term.”
Whereas acknowledging that Moore generally “runs his mouth” on social media, sources near the actor pressured his loyalty to his forged and crew and the position he performed as a champion and voice that fought every of S.W.A.T.‘s cancellations.
In his video message, Moore additionally paid homage to S.W.A.T.’s passionate followers who helped preserve the unique collection alive for eight seasons. For the reason that present’s persevering with recognition drove Sony TV’s resolution to proceed with a by-product, followers’ opinion issues, together with their response to constructing the offshoot round a single OG character, Hondo.
“Vox populi. Individuals have spoken, and [Sony TV] ought to pay attention,” one observer famous.
The brand new collection continues to be in very early levels creatively. Whereas there aren’t any present plans for the offshoot to function different S.W.A.T. forged members, there’s at all times a chance that alums may seem in some type, doubtlessly as visitor stars, sources stated.
All through its run, S.W.A.T. has loved wholesome worldwide gross sales, permitting Sony TV to show in a revenue whereas getting a modest license charge from CBS, a significant component within the collection’ longevity on the community.
On Exiles, sources point out that there was preliminary curiosity from consumers each within the U.S. and internationally. I hear CBS has not been approached and isn’t anticipated to make a play for the spinoff.
