S.W.A.T. Exiles becomes most popular show in Starz US Top 10 list
The action spinoff S.W.A.T. Exiles. Exiles premiered on Starz on September 25, 2026, quickly climbing to become the most popular show overall in the Top 10 in the United States. The series brings back beloved favorites from the original CBS classic for a darker tone and higher stakes, led by Shemar Moore reprising his role as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson Jr.
Shemar Moore Leads S.W.A.T. Exiles After a High-Profile Mission Fails
The series picks up with Hondo stepping away from his leadership role with the Los Angeles Police Department’s S.W.A.T. team. Following a high-profile mission that goes horribly wrong, he receives one last opportunity to prove himself by building and leading an experimental unit of inexperienced, unconventional recruits. The cast brings back S.W.A.T. regulars Jay Harrington as David ‘Deacon’ Kay, Patrick St. Esprit as Robert ‘Bob’ Hicks, and David Lim, alongside newcomers including Lucy Barrett as Sammy ‘Sam’ Bishop, Adain Bradley, and Zyra Gorecki.
Mixed Reviews Contrast With Immediate Viewership Momentum
While the series has quickly taken the streaming platform by storm, overtaking titles like Outlander: Blood of My Blood, Fightland, and multiple seasons of Power on the United States Top 10 list, audience reception has been mixed. Reviews range from praising the series as a show that can stand on its own to criticism that it feels like more of the same material seen across eight seasons on the original CBS broadcast. On IMDb, the spinoff holds a user rating of 5.3 out of 10, sitting below the 7.2 rating given to the original series.
Starz Confirms Season 2 Renewal Before the First Episode Aired
The long-term future of the production was secured ahead of its premiere. The first two episodes are available for streaming now and new episodes drop weekly until the season finale on November 27, 2026.
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