The S.W.A.T. universe is expanding once again—but not everyone is celebrating. Just days after the curtain closed on the CBS drama’s eight-season run, Sony Pictures Television announced a new spinoff titled S.W.A.T. Exiles. While this next chapter will be led by franchise star Shemar Moore, fans and former cast members quickly noticed a glaring absence: nearly the entire original cast, including David Lim.
Lim, who played Officer Victor Tan since the show’s 2017 debut, is one of the many key faces who won’t be returning for Exiles. And while the actor expressed deep gratitude for his time on the series, he didn’t shy away from voicing his disappointment about how things ended.
In a heartfelt message shared via Instagram, Lim opened up about the emotional toll of being excluded from the next phase of the franchise. “I’d be lying if I said the rollout of the new spinoff didn’t sting,” he wrote. “It was tough to see it announced just two days after our finale—with no mention of the cast who helped build S.W.A.T. from day one.”
The sting, it seems, wasn’t just about being left out. For Lim and many of his fellow castmates, S.W.A.T. wasn’t simply a job—it was a bond forged over eight seasons of on-set chemistry, behind-the-scenes dedication, and real-life camaraderie. According to Lim, the series was special not just for its high-octane action, but because of “the squad, the bond, the camaraderie, the shared blood, sweat, tears, and laughs.”
Lim also touched on the behind-the-scenes efforts the cast made to keep the series alive. After S.W.A.T. was canceled twice in recent years—once in 2023 and again midseason in 2024—fan outcry and internal pushback brought the series back from the brink. The eighth season was ultimately greenlit as the show’s swan song. Despite hopes for a ninth season, CBS pulled the plug for good in March 2025.
For Lim, those final episodes marked the end of what he called “one of the great honors” of his career. He emphasized the cast’s determination to fight for one more season—not just for themselves, but for the newer members of the team, the crew behind the camera, and the loyal fans. “We believed we still had more to give, more stories to tell,” he noted. “It wasn’t in the cards for all of us—and that’s okay. We had a magical run and went out on a high note.”
But the timing and tone of the S.W.A.T. Exiles announcement didn’t sit well with the actor, nor with fans. Many felt that the franchise's pivot toward a younger, cheaper cast built around a single star reflected the harsh realities of modern TV economics. Network shows, particularly in the streaming era, face tighter budgets and increasing pressure to reduce costs. Veteran actors with years of experience often carry higher price tags—something networks have tried to circumvent by cutting episode appearances or changing contract terms.
This kind of cost-cutting move isn’t new. CBS faced a similar situation with Bob Hearts Abishola, where nearly all regulars were downgraded to recurring roles. And across the industry, shows like Grey’s Anatomy and the FBI franchise have also seen reductions in episode commitments to manage talent costs.
In the case of S.W.A.T., reports have suggested that cast salaries remained the same in later seasons, but the number of episodes per actor was trimmed—potentially leading at least one star to exit the series before the end.
While Moore’s popularity undoubtedly helped keep S.W.A.T. alive during its turbulent run, the choice to continue the story with only his character has sparked mixed reactions. In a recent video, Moore addressed the criticism by comparing himself to NFL icon Tom Brady, calling himself the “quarterback” of the team. He insisted that trades happen in any successful operation, and that the show must evolve to survive.
But for Lim, and many fans, the magic of S.W.A.T. wasn’t in one individual—it was in the ensemble. That sentiment echoed through thousands of supportive comments across social media, many urging Sony to reconsider and include more original cast members in the spinoff.
Lim, ever gracious, ended his message on a hopeful note. “I may not know what the future holds for Tan, but I couldn’t be more proud of what we created together—our cast, writers, producers, crew… our SWAT family,” he wrote. “No version of this story can take that away.”
As production on S.W.A.T. Exiles prepares to begin, one thing is clear: while the show moves forward with new faces, the legacy of the original team—and the emotional connection they built with viewers—won’t be easily forgotten.
