David Lim, the actor who portrayed Officer Victor Tan on S.W.A.T., has voiced his disappointment over the announcement of the show's upcoming spinoff, S.W.A.T. Exiles. The new series will feature Shemar Moore reprising his role as Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, but it will move forward without the involvement of most of the original S.W.A.T. cast, including Lim.
The news hit just two days after the emotional series finale of S.W.A.T., which aired on May 16. For Lim, the timing of the announcement felt like a personal blow. In a heartfelt Instagram post, he opened up about the sense of exclusion he felt, particularly the lack of recognition for the core cast who had helped build the show over the past eight seasons.
"Being a part of S.W.A.T. for the past 8 seasons has been one of the great honors of my life," Lim wrote. He went on to describe the deep bond he developed with his co-stars, noting that it wasn’t just the action-packed scenes or individual characters that made S.W.A.T. special. It was the camaraderie, teamwork, and chemistry among the cast that truly made the show stand out. “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.”
Lim also reflected on the show’s history, emphasizing how much the cast fought for a ninth season, believing they still had more stories to tell. “We had a magical run and went out on a high note with those final two episodes,” he acknowledged. However, the announcement of the spinoff felt like a dismissal of their collective effort, as the new show was revealed without mention of the actors who helped make S.W.A.T. a success.
“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,” Lim wrote. “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.”
Despite this setback, Lim expressed immense gratitude to the fans who have supported the show and the cast throughout its run. “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 said, highlighting the deep connections and lasting friendships formed over the years. “No version of this story can take that away.”
The response from fans was overwhelmingly supportive, and many of Lim’s co-stars also offered words of encouragement. Annie Ilonzeh, who joined the show in its final season, commented with praise for Lim’s heartfelt message. “Very well said, David,” she wrote. Other S.W.A.T. cast members, including Jay Harrington and Anna Enger Ritch, expressed their solidarity with Lim’s sentiments. Even Rochelle Aytes, who departed the series before its final season, sent her former castmate a message of support, saying, "Here’s to an amazing 8 years! May your next journey be just as incredible if not more!!"
The announcement of S.W.A.T. Exiles was made by Sony Pictures Television on May 18, just two days after S.W.A.T.'s final episode. The 10-episode series will feature Moore as Hondo, who is pulled out of forced retirement to lead a new, experimental SWAT unit composed of unpredictable young recruits. The show’s official logline describes Hondo as navigating a "generational divide" while working to transform the group into a high-functioning team.
However, the announcement hasn’t come without its share of controversy. Fans were quick to voice their disappointment over Moore being the only returning cast member. Moore, who has been vocal about his dedication to the show, responded to the backlash in a video, explaining that he understood the fans’ frustration but was committed to the future of S.W.A.T..
“Nobody likes change. I understand that. I get it 100%, but without change, you can't grow,” Moore said. He likened his role to that of a quarterback in football, stressing that while players may come and go, the quarterback remains the team's anchor. “I’m the quarterback. But I had a strong squad, a family, a team,” Moore explained, acknowledging his former co-stars while making it clear that the show must evolve in order to continue.
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Despite the tension surrounding the new direction of the S.W.A.T. franchise, Moore expressed pride in his long tenure on the show and his role in its success. “So proud, so grateful, not gonna apologize for nothing. I’ve busted my ass for 31 years to do what I do, and I’m excited for the future,” Moore concluded.
As production for S.W.A.T. Exiles prepares to begin this summer, fans are left wondering whether other S.W.A.T. cast members will be brought into the spinoff down the line. Sony Pictures Television has hinted that there could be room for other characters from the original series to make appearances. However, for now, it remains uncertain whether Lim or any of his co-stars will return to the S.W.A.T. universe in the future.
For David Lim, the journey with S.W.A.T. may have ended, but his pride in the show and the friendships formed along the way will last. As the S.W.A.T. franchise moves forward, it’s clear that the impact of the original team will never be forgotten.
