“S.W.A.T.” has been revived, yet again

“S.W.A.T.,” it seems, is one of those shows that’s never really gone.
A new version — the third on TV, plus some movies — arrives this fall. Shemar Moore (shown here) will again star, but with different co-stars.
The original version debuted on ABC in 1975, with Hondo (Steve Forrest) leading a squad of macho young door-bashers (including Robert Urich).
It lasted only two seasons, but there was a 2003 movie with Samuel L. Jackson as Hondo … plus two made-for-video sequels with little connection.
Then came the CBS series in 2017, with a fresh tone: Hondo (Moore) was as much concerned with community betterment as he was with breaking doors.
That ran seven seasons, seemed to be canceled, then got an eighth. This time it was canceled in 2025, but the production company (Sony) took an unusual step: It filmed 10 episodes of a spin-off … despite not having a deal with a network.
Now that’s set and the show will air Fridays on Starz, starting Sept. 26. Originally called “S.W.A.T. Academy,” it’s now “S.W.A.T. Exiles.” When a mission goes bad, Hondo is lured out of retirement, to lead some untested and unreliable recruits.
Moore will be the only actor from the previous show, except for guest roles for Jay Harrington as Deacon and Patrick St. Esprit as Commissioner Hicks.