Sony Kicks Off Production on “S.W.A.T. Exiles,” Bringing Back Deacon and Hicks

LOS ANGELES, Sept. 9, 2025 - Sony Pictures Television has officially begun production on its new ten-episode spinoff series S.W.A.T. Exiles, with filming slated to commence this month on location in Los Angeles and fan-favorite actors Jay Harrington and Patrick St. Esprit confirmed to reprise their roles for the pilot episode.

The Nutshell The series follows LAPD Sgt. Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson (Shemar Moore) as he emerges from enforced retirement to lead a “last-chance” experimental SWAT unit of untested young recruits. Production will employ the original eight-season crew of 200 to preserve jobs in the local television industry.

Production Underway

Sony announced on Sept. 8 that cameras will roll this September for S.W.A.T. Exiles, keeping the franchise’s seasoned production team intact and leveraging California’s film infrastructure to maintain continuity with the parent series.

Original Stars Return

  • Jay Harrington (Sergeant David “Deacon” Kay) and Patrick St. Esprit (Commander Robert Hicks) are set to appear in the pilot, reuniting with Shemar Moore for the first time since S.W.A.T. concluded its eighth season.
  • While their ongoing roles in Exiles remain to be determined, their guest appearances signal Sony’s willingness to honor the original ensemble.

Spinoff Premise and Creative Team

  • Developed by showrunner Jason Ning, Exiles picks up after a high-profile mission goes awry, forcing Hondo to bridge a generational divide and forge a cohesive unit from unpredictable outsiders.
  • Executive producers include Neal H. Moritz, Pavun Shetty, James Scura and Moore himself, underlining the studio’s commitment to keeping the franchise’s core creative leadership intact.

Distribution and Release Outlook

  • Despite the series order, no U.S. network or streaming partner has been confirmed. Sony Pictures Television continues to court domestic and international buyers, with deals expected to finalize in the coming weeks.
  • A release date has yet to be announced, but industry insiders anticipate a late-2025 or early-2026 premiere once distribution agreements are secured.

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