EXCLUSIVE: Just like S.W.A.T. did for all but one of its eight seasons, S.W.A.T. Exiles will launch in the fall. The spinoff will premiere September 25 on Starz after the series’ producer and distributor Sony Pictures Television closed a deal with the pay-TV network for the U.S. rights to the action drama starring Shemar Moore. The independent studio also has sold S.W.A.T. Exiles in every major region worldwide, including Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, with the 10-episode series set to launch day-and-date in select international territories.

Sony Pictures TV is using a windowing strategy for S.W.A.T. Exile in the U.S. with Starz getting first window. I hear the studio has been in second-window conversations with Netflix where the original series has been available for more than three years.

The deals cap an unusual journey Sony Pictures TV took with S.W.A.T. Exiles since the series was announced at the LA Screenings in May 2025 with a surprise appearance by Moore two months after the mothership series was canceled by CBS for a third and final time and about two weeks after former Lucifer executive producer Jason Ning had been approached by the studio about pitching an offshoot anchored by Moore’s character Hondo.

Following the announcement, Sony TV stuck deals in several major markets in competitive situations with a mix of platforms that already carry S.W.A.T. and new ones. With U.S. buyers taking largely a wait-and-see approach at the time, the indie studio opted to proceed with making the series on its own, retaining creative control.

As a result, S.W.A.T. Exiles was produced through a partnership between Sony Pictures Television Studios, led by President Katherine Pope, and SPT’s global distribution organization, led by Co-Presidents Jason Spivak and Mike Wald.

As production on Season 1 wrapped in February, the sales process kicked into high gear with screenings of the first episode to prospective buyers in Los Angeles, New York and during London Screenings — all attended by Moore. Deals in the U.S. and the remaining major international territories were closed over the past four months, with Bell Media announcing the S.W.A.T. Exiles acquisition for CTV as part of its 2026-27 upfront acquisition slate three weeks ago.

“The response to S.W.A.T. Exiles has been extraordinary and is a testament to the strength of the franchise, as well as the passion and commitment of Shemar Moore, Jason Ning and Neal H. Moritz, who have been outstanding partners throughout the process,” said Keith Le Goy, Chairman, Sony Pictures Television. “As we continue to expand the S.W.A.T. universe, this project reflects our broader strategy of making bold investments in premium IP and leveraging our independent studio model to identify opportunities, move quickly and maximize value around the world. The commitment from Starz, combined with robust worldwide sales, validates both the franchise’s lasting appeal and the strength of Sony’s global business.”

Holding off on selling S.W.A.T. Exiles in the US until the series was in the can proved fortuitous. The surprise success of The Hunting Wives on Netflix and Heated Rivalry on HBO Max raised interest in acquisitions of completed seasons. Meanwhile, the split of Starz from Lionsgate and of Versant from NBCUniversal opened up the marketplace with new network buyers looking for high-end content at a reasonable price. (S.W.A.T. Exiles, which features an young ensemble around Moore, is said to have “a classic broadcast budget,” as a source put it, with Sony TV also scoring a $15.7M tax credit to film the spinoff in Los Angeles where the mothership series was shot.)

The the new paradigm allowed Sony TV to explore simultaneously two different routes for S.W.A.T. Exiles, pitching it to both original content and acquisition executives. The series ultimately sold as an acquisition to Starz.

“S.W.A.T. Exiles engages a deeply passionate fanbase that aligns strongly with our audience,” said Alison Hoffman, President, Starz Networks. “We’re thrilled to join forces with Sony to be the first place U.S. fans can experience this thrilling new chapter in the franchise.”

With a diverse cast led by Moore, S.W.A.T. Exiles fits into Starz’s focus on women and underrepresented audiences. Proprietary research shows significant audience overlap between S.W.A.T. viewers and some of the network’s top-performing originals, like the Power franchise.

S.W.A.T. Exiles also extends Sony Pictures Television’s longtime relationship with Starz built around the success of the studio’s tentpole Starz series Outlander, which just wrapped it eight-season run, succeeded by prequel series Outlander: Blood of My Blood.

Outlander and S.W.A.T. spawning Outlander: Blood of My Blood and S.W.A.T. Exile, respectively, is part of Sony TV’s strategy of building globally recognized franchises. The original S.W.A.T. series remains one of the studio’s top sellers internationally through multiple cycles, ranking around Top 5.

In addition to the deal with Bell Media in English Canada and Quebecor Content in French Canada, Sony TV has secured sales with Sky GSA (Germany, Switzerland, Austria), Sky New Zealand, Stan in Australia, Rai and Sky Italia in Italy, DPG in Flemish Belgium and Tet in the Baltics. The series will air on Disney+ across Latin America, WOWOW in Japan, LG Uplus in South Korea, AXN in Spain, Portugal, Hong Kong, Taiwan and across Southeast Asia and beIN across the Middle East, North Africa and Türkiye. The studio has also struck deals with Canal+, which will air the series across the Netherlands, Central and Eastern Europe, Poland, Sub-Saharan Africa via Canal+ MNET and French-speaking African territories.

“S.W.A.T. Exiles is coming in hot! I couldn’t be more excited that Starz is bringing this next chapter to audiences in the U.S. A huge thank you to Sony Pictures Television for believing in this franchise and continuing to invest in what we’ve built together,” Moore said. “What makes this moment even more special is that we’re reaching audiences in all major territories worldwide. Fans everywhere will get to experience this epic new ride together.”

In S.W.A.T. Exiles, after a high-profile mission goes sideways, Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson (Moore) is pulled out of forced retirement to lead a last-chance experimental S.W.A.T. unit made up of untested, unpredictable young recruits. Hondo must bridge a generational divide, navigate clashing personalities and turn a squad of outsiders into a team capable of protecting the city — and saving the program that made him who he is.

Starring alongside Moore are Lucy Barrett (Deep Water), Adain Bradley (Warfare), Zyra Gorecki (La Brea), Freddy Miyares (When They See Us) and Ronen Rubinstein (9-1-1: Lone Star). Original cast members Jay Harrington and Patrick St. Esprit are reprising their roles as Sergeant David “Deacon” Kay and Commander Robert Hicks, respectively. David Lim also returns as Victor Tan in the penultimate episode.

Ning serves as showrunner and executive producer. Additional executive producers include Neal H. Moritz and Pavun Shetty of Original Film, Moore, James Scura and Jon Cowan.

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