Greenlight comes after US network CBS cancelled the original show after eight series
Sony Pictures Television (SPT) has greenlit a new spin-off series based on crime procedural S.W.A.T, which wrapped its eighth and final season on CBS last week.
S.W.A.T Exiles was unveiled at SPT’s LA Screenings event on Sunday and has secured a series order greenlight from Sony, with the show seeing Shemar Moore reprising his role as Daniel ‘Hondo’ Harrelson.
The new 10-episode show will be produced and distributed by SPT. Buyers have not yet been revealed but the US studio said it is “focusing on finding the right homes and partners for these new stories to reach the passionate S.W.A.T. fanbase and attract new viewers.”
Development is underway with production scheduled to begin this summer in LA. SPT said the greenlight will preserve jobs for the 200-person local production crew who worked on the original series.
The spin-off picks up the story of what happens when a high-profile mission goes wrong, requiring Hondo to be pulled out of forced retirement to lead a last-chance experimental SWAT unit made up of untested, unpredictable young recruits.
Lucifer and Perception producer Jason Ning, who recently renewed his SPT overall deal, will serve as showrunner and executive producer, with Neal H. Moritz and Pavun Shetty of Original Film, Moore, and James Scura, also attached.
Keith Le Goy, chairman of SPT, said: “We are thrilled to usher this beloved franchise into a new era with S.W.A.T. Exiles.
“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.”
Katherine Pope, president of SPT Studios, added: “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!”
S.W.A.T. had been cancelled by CBS twice previously but returned to screens after changes to licensing and the show’s length, and Moore described his time on the original series as “epic and memorable.”
He added: “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.”
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