David Lim, known for his role as Victor Tan in the popular crime procedural SWAT, has expressed his thoughts on the recent announcement of a SWAT spinoff, SWAT Exiles, which will star Shemar Moore without the rest of the original cast. Lim, who played Tan through all eight seasons of the show, from 2017 to 2025, took to social media to share his honest feelings about the situation and the emotional toll of seeing the new project move forward without him and his fellow castmates.
In a heartfelt Instagram post, Lim didn’t hold back. He admitted that the launch of SWAT Exiles, which was confirmed just two days after the SWAT series finale, “stung.” He reflected on how tough it was to witness the announcement without any mention of the core cast that had been with the show since its inception. Lim’s words resonated with fans who had followed SWAT for years, as he expressed a sense of being overlooked after eight incredible seasons.
“It was tough to see it announced just two days after our finale — with no mention of the cast who helped build SWAT from day one,” Lim wrote. “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.”
Sony Pictures Television revealed earlier this month that a spinoff of the SWAT series, titled SWAT Exiles, was officially greenlit. This new series will see Moore reprise his role as Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, but this time, he will lead a team of fresh recruits. The news left many fans wondering why the original ensemble wasn’t brought along for the new venture, especially after the series concluded with a moving finale on May 16.
In response to the backlash and questions about the absence of his former castmates, Moore, in a video shared on Instagram, addressed the situation directly. He acknowledged the inevitable challenges that come with change but emphasized that growth requires it. Moore also took the opportunity to draw a comparison between his role and that of a quarterback in football, stating that while key players might get traded, the team moves forward with the quarterback at the helm. He likened himself to Tom Brady, “the quarterback of SWAT,” and made it clear that he was proud of what he’d accomplished during his 31 years in the industry.
While Moore expressed his gratitude and appreciation for his time with the SWAT cast, his decision to move forward with the spinoff alone seemed to be a tough one for many fans, particularly Lim. However, in his post, Lim made it clear that his time on SWAT was one of the greatest honors of his life. “I poured my heart into playing Tan — and even more than that, into the team and friendships we built on and off screen,” he wrote.
Lim highlighted the essence of what made SWAT so special — the bond and camaraderie between the team. It wasn’t just the high-octane action or the compelling characters that drew viewers in, but the undeniable chemistry among the cast. “What made SWAT 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 said. “That effortless chemistry was there from the very first day we came together for the pilot, and it carried through all 8 seasons.”
Lim also touched on the team’s efforts to secure a ninth season, noting their belief that they still had more stories to tell and more to give. “We wanted it for our crew, for each other, and for the newer faces just joining us,” he explained. Despite the show’s ultimate cancellation in March 2025 after a brief revival, Lim remained proud of the journey, especially the final two episodes, which left the series on a high note.
SWAT’s journey came to an emotional end with its eighth season finale, Return to Base, which aired on May 16. The show had been canceled after its sixth season in 2023, only to be revived twice more before CBS ultimately decided to cancel it for good. Despite the cancellation, Lim expressed his gratitude for the chance to be a part of such a groundbreaking show and the lasting impact it had on viewers.
As the SWAT Exiles spinoff moves forward with Shemar Moore at the forefront, fans will no doubt continue to reflect on the show that brought them so much excitement, drama, and unforgettable moments. While the future of SWAT may look different, the legacy of the original cast and the impact they had on the series will always remain a part of its history.
