David Lim, a beloved star from S.W.A.T., has expressed his dismay over the upcoming spinoff, S.W.A.T. Exiles, which will move forward without the majority of the original cast. Known for his portrayal of Officer Victor Tan over the show's eight seasons, Lim opened up about his feelings on social media, revealing how difficult it was for him to watch the announcement unfold just days after S.W.A.T. aired its final episode.
In an emotional Instagram post shared on May 28, 2025, Lim candidly admitted, “I’d be lying if I said the rollout of the new spinoff didn’t sting.” He explained how the spinoff’s sudden announcement—only two days after the finale—left him feeling overlooked. “It was tough to see it announced with no mention of the cast who helped build S.W.A.T. from day one,” Lim continued. “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.”
S.W.A.T., which followed the adventures of a Los Angeles SWAT team led by Shemar Moore’s character, Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, was a fan-favorite police procedural on CBS. After facing multiple cancellation threats over the past couple of years, the show was ultimately canceled in March 2025. The series finale aired on May 16, 2025, marking the end of an era for many of the cast members and fans alike. Just days after the finale, Sony Pictures Television announced that S.W.A.T. Exiles, a spinoff of the show, would begin production, with Moore’s character Hondo set to lead a new team.
However, in a surprising move, Moore is currently the only original cast member attached to the new series. Lim, who played Victor Tan alongside Moore, was notably absent from the spinoff announcement. While fans were eager to see the continuation of the S.W.A.T. universe, Lim's exclusion, along with other fan-favorite cast members, raised questions about the direction of the new show.
In his Instagram post, Lim reflected on his eight-year journey with S.W.A.T., emphasizing the deep bond and camaraderie that made the series so special. “What made S.W.A.T. special wasn’t just the action, or one character. It was the squad. The bond. The camaraderie. The shared blood, sweat, tears, and laughs we gave to every episode,” he wrote. Lim went on to express his pride in the cast's fight for a ninth season, despite the ultimate cancellation, stating that they “believed we still had more to give, more stories to tell.”
While Lim’s feelings about the spinoff are clear, Shemar Moore addressed the decision to move forward with S.W.A.T. Exiles without the full cast in a video shared on Instagram. In the clip, Moore compared himself to legendary quarterback Tom Brady, saying, “I’m not saying I’m Tom Brady, but I’m the Tom Brady of S.W.A.T.—that’s not arrogant, that’s not ego, it’s the fact. I’m the quarterback.” Moore acknowledged the contributions of his former co-stars, including Lim, but likened the situation to a sports team where players come and go. “Just like in sports, Tom Brady might be the quarterback, but people get traded,” Moore explained. “The teams keep pushing with their quarterback, and I’m that guy.”
Moore's comments have sparked a mixture of reactions among fans, with many voicing their discontent at the exclusion of the original cast. In the comments section of Lim’s post, viewers expressed their frustration, with one fan writing, “I said and I repeat, we don’t want a new S.W.A.T., we want the original, the only one, and with the whole cast. S.W.A.T. is not just one person, it’s a team, a family. I’m upset, and above all disappointed.” Another fan added, “A spinoff? No thanks. I’m never a fan. It is a slap in the face of those who worked so hard to make S.W.A.T. the show we loved.”
Despite the mixed reactions, Sony Pictures Television has teased that there could be future appearances from other S.W.A.T. cast members in S.W.A.T. Exiles. Katherine Pope, President of Sony Pictures Television, mentioned that the spinoff is still in the early stages of development, and there may be room for familiar faces to join the project down the line. “There is a clear world that we’re exploring here. We’re a few weeks in. We’re still putting it all together,” Pope said in a recent interview, hinting that the spinoff could evolve in unexpected ways.
As production for S.W.A.T. Exiles is set to begin this summer, fans remain hopeful that the legacy of the original S.W.A.T. team will not be forgotten. While Moore’s decision to lead the new series alone may be a source of contention for some, it’s clear that S.W.A.T.’s legacy—shaped by the teamwork, dedication, and chemistry of the original cast—will always remain at the heart of the franchise.
For now, Lim and his fellow original cast members can take solace in the outpouring of support from fans who continue to appreciate their contributions to the show. With S.W.A.T. Exiles on the horizon, the question remains: will the original squad ever reunite, or is this a new chapter entirely for the S.W.A.T. universe? Only time will tell.
