How S.W.A.T. Alums Addressed Being Excluded From Shemar Moore’s Spinoff
Shemar Moore was the one solid member to be solid within the S.W.A.T. spinoff — however what has everybody else mentioned about being excluded?
S.W.A.T., which premiered in 2017, constructed a stable fanbase as viewers tuned in each week to see 20 Squad tackle the latest disaster. All through the seasons, the solid advanced however Moore, Jay Harrington, David Lim and Patrick St. Esprit remained on our screens as S.W.A.T. confronted a number of cancellations.
By the ultimate season, S.W.A.T had been canceled twice and wrapped up with Moore, Harrington, Lim and Esprit on the heart alongside newbies Anna Enger Ritch, Annie Ilonzeh and Niko Pepaj. Your complete solid advocated for S.W.A.T. to return, which it did when Sony Photos Tv picked up a by-product titled S.W.A.T. Exiles days after the collection finale.
The information was met with criticism although when followers questioned why Moore was the one one to reprise his character. Moore defended the choice to return with out the remainder of the solid by his facet.
“No person likes change. I perceive that. I get it 100%. However with out change, you’ll be able to’t develop. You’ll be able to’t win with out taking your lumps,” he defined in a Might 2025 Instagram video. “It ain’t straightforward making it within the sport of Hollywood. It ain’t. TV exhibits don’t final eight years anymore. The sport has modified. However S.W.A.T. Exiles, child! S.W.A.T. Exiles. Larger, bolder. S.W.A.T. on steroids.”
He continued: “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. I’m Shemar Moore a.ok.a Hondo. However I had a squad. A powerful squad. A household. A workforce. And I’d be remiss If I didn’t say out loud to the world and to them — as a result of I do know they’re watching this — I really like you. I respect you. I admire you.”
The remainder of the S.W.A.T workforce initially remained silent on the exclusion. Lim was the primary to interrupt his silence whereas applauding his former costars for his or her dedication to the present.
“I’m happy with how we fought for a ninth season. We believed we nonetheless had extra to provide, extra tales to inform. We needed it for our crew, for one another, and for the newer faces simply becoming a member of us,” he wrote by way of Instagram that very same month. “It wasn’t within the playing cards for all of us — and that’s okay. We had a magical run and went out on a excessive word with these closing two episodes.”
Lim acknowledged that he wasn’t thrilled to listen to about Sony Tv Photos ordering S.W.A.T. Exiles with solely Moore connected to look.
“I’d be mendacity if I mentioned the rollout of the brand new spinoff didn’t sting. It was robust to see it introduced simply two days after our finale — with no point out of the solid who helped construct S.W.A.T. from day one,” he continued. “After 8 unimaginable seasons, it felt like we have been brushed apart when there may’ve been a second of reflection and recognition — for the individuals who constructed this present, and for the affect it had on so many.”
Different S.W.A.T. stars have since subtly weighed in on the surprising information. Preserve scrolling for every part the S.W.A.T. solid has mentioned about not being introduced again for Exiles:
David Lim
“I’ve been sitting with every part that got here out final week, and I simply need to say this,” Lim, who performed Tan, wrote by way of Instagram in Might 2025. “Being part of S.W.A.T. for the previous 8 seasons has been one of many nice honors of my life. I poured my coronary heart into enjoying Tan — and much more than that, into the workforce and friendships we constructed on and off display screen.”
Lim mirrored on the group dynamic behind the scenes, including, “What made S.W.A.T. particular wasn’t simply the motion, or one character. It was the squad. The bond. The camaraderie. The shared blood, sweat, tears, and laughs we gave to each episode. That easy chemistry was there from the very first day we got here collectively for the pilot, and it carried by all 8 seasons.”
Annie Ilonzeh
In response to Lim’s message, Ilonzeh confirmed her help, writing, “Very properly mentioned David🫶🏽🤎.” Ilonzeh, who joined the present within the closing season as Gamble, beforehand spoke in regards to the solid’s efforts to revive S.W.A.T collectively.
“We’re crossing our fingers. So there’s a specific dialogue being had. I hope I can say [soon] that we actually did it. We rallied for a 3rd time,” she solely advised Us Weekly in April 2025. “However we’re making noise. They do see it — producers and streamers which might be — they’re like, ‘OK, that is one thing.’ So if we will plug and play, we’re all geared as much as go. We don’t need this journey to be over.”
Ilonzeh famous that if S.W.A.T. was to obtain one other renewal, a ninth season could be the final, including, “I used to be simply speaking to [my costar] Shemar [Moore] yesterday and he was like, ‘If we do that for a 3rd time — at any time when we do get canceled once more — I can be OK with it. I’m not combating for a fourth [time] as a result of we actually did it and we finish on that.’ We are going to finish on the struggle and the win and relish in all of this and squeeze the life out of it. We are going to know that we did it, we did our job and we will stroll away completely happy campers.”
Niko Pepaj
Pepaj, who additionally joined within the closing season, replied to Lim’s submit, writing, “Love you brother.”
Jay Harrington
Harrington, who performed Deacon since season 1, replied with a number of fist bump emojis to Lim’s assertion in regards to the shakeup.
He later elaborated throughout an interview with TVLine, saying, “[I found out about S.W.A.T Exiles] the day earlier than. Shemar reached out to all of us to say, ‘That is what’s happening.’ There’s discuss that they’ll attain out to us about stuff. He needed to be the one to inform us, and say ‘Your reps will discover out shortly.’ That’s after I advised my reps, and so they had no concept.”
Harrington clarified he wasn’t upset with Moore for signing onto the present solo, including, “Look, I’ll be very clear. I’ve been on this enterprise for a very long time. You don’t get ‘owed’ issues simply since you put in your time. If that’s the route they’re going to go, I want it success. It’s only a nice line between ‘owed’ and ‘simply let me know.’ For the studio simply to say, ‘Hey, that is what we’re pondering. It’s a brand new concept, however that is the route we gotta go, and sadly the best way it’s structured, we need to make a clear break, begin contemporary.’”
He continued: “Properly, what do you say to that? ‘OK, properly, good luck!’ So if there was any disappointment, it’s that once they introduced it, we weren’t talked about in any respect. That was it. And it was short-lived as a result of I assumed, ‘I’m not going to let that take away from what I do know in my coronary heart is eight years of placing in some nice work.’”
Anna Enger Ritch
After being promoted to principal solid within the closing season, Ritch despatched Lim a coronary heart emoji for talking out about them not being part of the following present within the S.W.A.T. franchise.
Rochelle Aytes
Whereas Aytes beforehand stepped away from S.W.A.T. to affix Watson, she nonetheless weighed in on Lim’s public assertion, writing, “Superbly mentioned!! Right here’s to a tremendous 8 years! Might your subsequent journey be simply as unimaginable if no more!! ❤️❤️🙏🏽🙏🏽.”