Shemar Moore Teases S.W.A.T. Exiles Returns: Deacon, Hicks, Tan in Season 1 Shemar Moore reveals that Deacon, Hicks, and Tan will appear in S.W.A.T. Exiles season 1, with more original team members possible in season 2. Shemar Moore has addressed whether other members of the original S.W.A.T. team will return in the sequel series S.W.A.T. Exiles, confirming that Deacon, Hicks, and Tan will appear in season 1. The new show, which premiered on Starz on Friday, September 25, sees Moore reprise his role as Sergeant II Daniel Hondo Harrelson Jr., who is pulled out of early retirement to train an experimental team of unpredictable rookies. S.W.A.T. Exiles: A New Era for the FranchiseS.W.A.T. Exiles has been noted by reviewers as a new era for the franchise, with Moore as the only returning main cast member. The series takes place two years after the events of the original S.W.A.T. and focuses on Hondo leading a new team of rookies. In an interview with ScreenRant's Grant Hermanns, Moore explained that the time jump and Hondo's new mission mean his old teammates are not front-and-center anymore.Despite the focus on the new team, Moore teased the return of familiar faces. He stated that Deacon, Hicks, and Tan will appear during season 1, and the early renewal for season 2 opens the door for even more guest returns. Moore said, We're having a lot of fun, and I think we all agree that it's important to keep Hondo's old world alive. But the focus is going to be on the new chapter, Hondo and this new team, but you will see members of the old squad.Hondo's New Role as Mentor and LeaderIn the sequel, Hondo transitions from active field leader to mentor for a group of misfit rookies. Moore described the new team as a bunch of Bad News Bears rugrats that Hondo has to train into being badass superheroes. He explained that the word exiles is twofold, referring to both Hondo's removal from his old unit and the team's underdog status. Hondo has nothing left to prove, Moore said, so he gets to be a coach, a teacher, and spread his knowledge and wisdom and skillset onto these youngsters.Moore acknowledged that it was tough to put on a new uniform without his old squad, but he emphasized the franchise's growth. He noted that for Sony and Starz to believe in the franchise is bigger than him. The new series is both a continuation and a new story altogether, explaining why the rest of Hondo's team doesn't return in a main capacity.Background and Future PossibilitiesS.W.A.T. Exiles comes after CBS cancelled the original series for a third time. The show was originally supposed to end with season 6, but pushback from fans and Moore earned a shortened season 7, meant to be its last. Following high ratings, season 8 was greenlit, only for dwindling viewership to bring an end to the show again. The new Starz series picks up two years later, with Hondo training a new team.While it's unclear when other characters from S.W.A.T. will come back, Moore's statement suggests anything's possible for the series moving forward. Luca and other team members whose reprisals haven't been confirmed may still return in season 2. As of writing, only Deacon, Hicks, and Tan have been confirmed to return. With nine episodes left in season 1, the series could deliver any number of surprises.Moore's comments indicate that the door remains open for more original cast members to appear, depending on their availability. He mentioned that you will see members of the old squad — from Deacon to Hicks, to Tan, to Luca, to Chris, to Street, Alfaro, Powell — assuming they're available and not too busy. The series aims to balance nostalgia with new storytelling, keeping Hondo's old world alive while focusing on the new chapter.