David Lim, best known for his role as Officer Victor Tan on CBS's S.W.A.T., has opened up about the emotional impact of the recent announcement regarding the S.W.A.T. spinoff, S.W.A.T. Exiles. The actor, who was part of the series for its entire eight-season run, expressed his disappointment in an Instagram post, revealing that it "stung" to see the new project move forward without him or his fellow cast members.
The spinoff, which will feature Shemar Moore reprising his role as Sergeant Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson, was officially confirmed just two days after S.W.A.T.’s series finale aired on May 16. However, Moore will be the only returning cast member, and for Lim, it was a tough pill to swallow.
"I’d be lying if I said the rollout of the new spinoff didn’t sting," Lim admitted in his post. "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." He expressed his frustration that, after eight successful seasons, the original team felt "brushed aside" when there should have been a moment of reflection and recognition for everyone who contributed to the show’s success.
The S.W.A.T. franchise has had a turbulent journey in recent years. CBS initially canceled the show after its sixth season in 2023, but after strong fan support, the network reversed its decision, renewing it for a seventh season. A brief extension followed, but ultimately, the series was canceled again after Season 8. Despite the end of the series, Lim, alongside his castmates, had fought hard for a ninth season, believing that there were still more stories to tell.
"We believed we still had more to give, more stories to tell. We wanted it for our crew, for each other, and for the newer faces just joining us," Lim explained. While the show’s conclusion may not have aligned with the team’s vision, Lim expressed pride in the legacy they created together, concluding their journey with a powerful finale that honored the show’s legacy.
The announcement of the spinoff, however, felt like a harsh shift. S.W.A.T. Exiles will focus on Moore’s character, Hondo, as he leads a new experimental SWAT unit made up of young, untested recruits. Despite Moore's emotional connection to the original cast, he will take center stage in the new series, which is still without an official platform for broadcast. The premise follows Hondo as he must bridge generational divides and turn a group of outsiders into a cohesive team capable of taking on high-stakes missions.
In response to the backlash regarding the absence of the full original cast in Exiles, Moore defended his decision in a video posted on social media. He likened his role as Hondo to that of a quarterback in football, suggesting that, while key players might get traded, the quarterback remains essential to the team’s identity. Moore expressed that change, though difficult, is necessary for growth, and he was proud to continue Hondo's story. "That’s my family for life," he said, referring to the S.W.A.T. team.
While Lim may not have been involved in the spinoff—at least not yet—he was quick to express gratitude for the incredible journey he had as part of the S.W.A.T. family. He shared that being part of the show for eight seasons was one of the greatest honors of his career. "I poured my heart into playing Tan—and even more than that, into the team and friendships we built on and off screen," Lim reflected.
He also emphasized that what truly made S.W.A.T. special was not just the action-packed scenes or individual characters but the sense of camaraderie that was built over the years. "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 explained, highlighting the undeniable chemistry among the cast from the very first day of filming.
Many of Lim’s colleagues expressed support for his sentiments. Co-stars Rochelle Aytes, Annie Ilonzeh, and Niko Pepaj, as well as other cast and crew members, showed their solidarity in the comments. Even S.W.A.T. guest stars, including Emily Alabi and Coby Ryan McLaughlin, voiced their backing, reinforcing the deep connections the actors shared on and off the screen.
The future of S.W.A.T. Exiles remains uncertain, but Sony Pictures Television president recently hinted that other beloved characters from S.W.A.T. could join the spinoff in future episodes. "We’re still putting it all together, but for sure, I think you can expect some of your favorites to be a part of it in some way," she said, though it seems clear that Lim has not been contacted as production is set to begin in August.
For now, Lim is looking back with pride at his time on S.W.A.T., cherishing the incredible run that the show had. "I may not know what the future holds for Tan," he wrote, "but I couldn’t be more proud of what we created together—our cast, writers, producers, crew… our S.W.A.T. family."
Despite the challenges, Lim’s words reflect a deep appreciation for the series’ impact and the lasting bond with his castmates. "No version of this story can take that away," he concluded, leaving fans with a sense of closure and gratitude for the unforgettable years spent on the show.
As S.W.A.T. Exiles prepares to take the spotlight, the original cast and crew’s contributions will always remain a significant part of the S.W.A.T. legacy.
