S.W.A.T. Exiles review roundup: Shemar Moore is back as Hondo in a spin-off still finding its feet
S.W.A.T. Exiles brings Shemar Moore back as Daniel 'Hondo' Harrelson, leading a new team of young recruits on Starz after CBS cancelled the original series. Critics praise Moore but are split on whether the spin-off offers enough that is new.
The story (no spoilers)
Two years after he left the LAPD, Daniel 'Hondo' Harrelson (Shemar Moore) is pulled out of retirement by Commander Robert Hicks to lead a last-chance, experimental S.W.A.T. unit made up of young, untested recruits.
As Hondo tries to turn his raw new team, including Ronen Rubinstein, Lucy Barrett and Adain Bradley, into a unit he can trust, he discovers that someone inside it may be working to bring him down.
Where to watch or download
Links go to official services only. Streaming services let subscribers download titles in their app to watch offline, on supported plans; stores let you buy a copy to download and keep. Availability differs by country and changes over time (checked 18 October 2026). ElysiumHub does not host files or link to unofficial downloads.
The verdict
Worth a look if you miss S.W.A.T. and want more of Hondo, with new episodes weekly on Starz. Critics suggest viewers new to the franchise will find it a fairly standard action procedural, and fans should expect a mostly new cast.
- 55MetacriticMetascore, 4 critic reviews, 18 Oct 2026
What critics say
“But Moore is commanding and earnest as he steps back into Hondo's shoes”
“the show's opening episodes do prove that it's capturing a different era than its predecessor, which is already a good sign”
“it's actually a fairly transparent attempt to keep a valuable brand alive, even if it means keeping costs down by cutting bait with most of the original cast.”
“more of the same stuff that we saw on the original CBS series for eight seasons, just with more generic characters under Hondo's command.”
What works
- Shemar Moore is commanding and earnest as Hondo.
- A darker, grittier tone than the CBS original.
- A mole storyline adds a season-long mystery.
What doesn't
- Critics found it too similar to the original, with generic new characters.
- Most of the original cast is gone, which may disappoint fans.
- It still seems to depend on the CBS series rather than standing on its own.
S.W.A.T. Exiles premiered on Starz on 25 September 2026, with ten episodes released weekly until 27 November. It continues S.W.A.T., the CBS action series that ran for eight seasons before it was cancelled in 2025, and Starz has already renewed it for a second season. Shemar Moore, who also produces, is the only series regular returning from the original.
What critics liked
Moore gets the most praise. Variety's Aramide Tinubu wrote that the show does not reinvent the wheel, but that Moore is commanding and earnest as Hondo guides a new generation of officers who are wrestling with their own pasts. Screen Rant's Cher Thompson, who gave it 6 out of 10, felt its darker tone shows it is capturing a different era from its predecessor, which she saw as a good sign.
Where it falls short
Other critics were less convinced. TheWrap's Zaki Hasan called it a fairly transparent attempt to keep a valuable brand alive while cutting costs by dropping most of the original cast. Decider's Joel Keller told readers to skip it, arguing it feels like more of the same, only with more generic characters.
The performances
Moore is surrounded by a young new ensemble, including Ronen Rubinstein, Freddy Miyares, Zyra Gorecki, Lucy Barrett and Adain Bradley. Familiar faces from the original, such as Jay Harrington's Deacon and Patrick St. Esprit's Commander Hicks, appear in smaller roles.
Should you watch?
With a Metascore of 55 from four reviews, the verdict is mixed. Fans of Hondo will enjoy having him back, but critics suggest newcomers will find a fairly ordinary action procedural.
Quick answers
- Is S.W.A.T. Exiles worth watching?
- Worth a look if you miss S.W.A.T. and want more of Hondo, with new episodes weekly on Starz. Critics suggest viewers new to the franchise will find it a fairly standard action procedural, and fans should expect a mostly new cast.
- What are the review scores for S.W.A.T. Exiles?
- Metacritic: 55 (Metascore, 4 critic reviews, 18 Oct 2026).
- Where can I watch S.W.A.T. Exiles?
- Official options: Starz (stream and download in the app; US). Availability varies by country and changes over time.
- How many episodes does S.W.A.T. Exiles have?
- S.W.A.T. Exiles has 10 episodes.
- When was S.W.A.T. Exiles released?
- S.W.A.T. Exiles premiered on Starz on 25 September 2026.
- Who is in S.W.A.T. Exiles?
- It was created by Jason Ning and stars Shemar Moore, Ronen Rubinstein, Freddy Miyares, Zyra Gorecki, Lucy Barrett and Adain Bradley.
Sources
This roundup summarises the reviews and reporting below. Follow the links for the full pieces.
- 'S.W.A.T. Exiles' Review: Shemar Moore Has a Solid Sequel · Variety
- S.W.A.T. Exiles Review: Shemar Moore Spinoff Is Missing CBS Magic · TheWrap
- S.W.A.T. Exiles Review: A Spinoff Still Finding Its Way, Despite Real Potential · Screen Rant
- 'S.W.A.T. Exiles' Starz Review: Stream It Or Skip It? · Decider
- S.W.A.T. Exiles · Metacritic
- S.W.A.T. Exiles · Wikipedia
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