David Lim, who portrayed Officer Victor Tan on S.W.A.T. for all eight seasons, has expressed his disappointment over the recent announcement of the S.W.A.T. Exiles spinoff, particularly the fact that most of the original cast, including himself, has been excluded from the new project. While grateful for his time on the show, Lim’s frustration with the spinoff’s rollout is clear, especially considering the timing and the lack of recognition for the team that helped build S.W.A.T. into the success it became.
After a tumultuous journey marked by two separate cancellation threats and an eventual confirmation of the show's end, S.W.A.T. aired its final episode on May 16, 2025. Just days after the finale, CBS announced the development of S.W.A.T. Exiles, a spinoff with Shemar Moore reprising his role as Lieutenant Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson, but with no confirmed involvement from other beloved cast members.
For Lim, the announcement was a painful reminder of what he felt was a lack of acknowledgment for the work put in by the entire cast over eight years. In an emotional Instagram post, Lim didn’t hold back, writing, "I’d be lying if I said the rollout of the new spinoff didn’t sting. 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 actor went on to explain that, after all their hard work and dedication, it felt like the original team was "brushed aside" when the spinoff was revealed. He felt there should have been a moment of reflection and recognition for everyone who contributed to the show's success. "After 8 incredible seasons, it felt like we were brushed aside when there could’ve been a moment of reflection and recognition—for the people who built this show, and for the impact it had on so many."
Though Lim acknowledged that the end of the show was bittersweet, he was proud of the work they had done together. "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 S.W.A.T. family," Lim wrote, emphasizing that no one could take away the legacy they had built.
Reflecting on his time with S.W.A.T., Lim shared how deeply invested he was in his role as Tan and in the relationships he built on and off screen. "I poured my heart into playing Tan — and even more than that, into the team and friendships we built on and off screen," he said. According to Lim, what made S.W.A.T. special was not just the action or individual characters, but the "squad" and the bond they shared. "The camaraderie. The shared blood, sweat, tears, and laughs we gave to every episode. That effortless chemistry was there from the very first day we came together for the pilot, and it carried through all 8 seasons."
While Moore is the only confirmed returning cast member at this time, Sony Pictures Television has hinted that the spinoff may still feature familiar faces down the line. Katherine Pope, President of Sony Pictures Television, suggested in a recent interview that fans can expect other S.W.A.T. characters to appear in some capacity, although the details are still being worked out. “There is a clear world that we’re exploring here. We’re a few weeks in. We’re still putting it all together,” Pope told Variety.
S.W.A.T.'s journey on CBS has been nothing short of a rollercoaster. After initially being canceled in 2023, fan support led to its renewal for a seventh season. Unfortunately, the show was eventually canceled again, only to be resurrected for an eighth and final season, which ended with a moving series finale. The S.W.A.T. Exiles spinoff marks a new chapter in the series' world, with Moore's character, Hondo, returning to lead a new team of recruits in an experimental SWAT unit. However, the exclusion of the original cast, particularly Lim, has left fans and cast members questioning the direction of the franchise.
Lim’s heartfelt post has resonated deeply with fans, who have flooded his social media with messages of support. The actor’s co-stars also rallied behind him, with Annie Ilonzeh, Jay Harrington, and Rochelle Aytes all showing their support for Lim’s honest reflection on the spinoff’s rollout.
Although S.W.A.T. has come to an end, Lim's words remind everyone of the impact that the original cast had on the show’s success. As S.W.A.T. Exiles moves forward with a new direction, it’s clear that the legacy of the original squad will not be forgotten, even if they won’t be part of the next chapter.
With production for S.W.A.T. Exiles set to begin this summer, fans are left to wonder how the story will evolve and whether any of the beloved original cast members will return in the future. For now, Lim’s tribute to the S.W.A.T. family stands as a testament to the dedication and hard work of the entire cast and crew who made the show a success for eight unforgettable seasons.
