S.W.A.T. Exiles’ Long Game Could Finally Pay Off Thanks to Casting & the Heated Rivalry Effect

It’s been a while since we’ve heard much about S.W.A.T. Exiles.

The offshoot was something that had viewers buzzing precisely because of the mixed feelings regarding S.W.A.T.’s final cancellation and what amounted to the loss of a squad of beloved characters.

And this offshoot has certainly come with its fair share of controversy and polarizing results.

For many, one of the biggest issues with Exiles was that it didn’t initially include anyone from the primary ensemble other than Shemar Moore as Hondo.

Given that S.W.A.T. was popular in large part because of the ensemble starring in it, it was no wonder many were upset by a show that would mostly revolve around Hondo and a bunch of new, young characters we don’t know.

But tides may turn for those still wary of the offshoot and what it entails.

For one, as of this week, S.W.A.T. Exiles has officially wrapped its filming.

That means the entire first season is in the can, and it’s a boost of confidence that a finished project could be hitting our screens sooner rather than later.

But which screen? That’s the biggest question.

Shockingly, while Sony has put its all into creating this series, Exiles still doesn’t have a home.

Typically, that would seem like a bad thing, right? There were at least two possible offers for the series, but we don’t have a decision.

However, now that the series is complete, Sony’s patience may work to its advantage, and presumably for a few reasons.

For one, Exiles is a built-in franchise with a massive audience.

Sony even greenlighting this offshoot, not even ten days after S.W.A.T.’s cancellation, speaks volumes about how they don’t want to abandon a good thing here.

The series is massive and wildly successful.

It wouldn’t have survived the chopping block so many times if it weren’t, and that’s something worth capitalizaing off of in some capacity.

Exiles should be a sure thing just because S.W.A.T. was.

But it also seems the series has recognized the error of its ways regarding the controversy over the absence of two other key actors: Jay Harrington and David Lim.

After initially not being posed for a return to this offshoot, Exiles will have Harrington and Lim reprising their respective roles as Deacon and Tan in this spinoff series.

Similarly, Patrick St. Espirit will also guest-star as Hicks.

The newer recruits are composed mostly of lesser-known stars, including Lucy Barrett, Adain Bradley, and Freddy Miyares. But we also have La Brea‘s Zyra Gorecki and 9-1-1: Lone Star‘s Ronen Rubinstein.

There is something to be said for Exiles getting to capitalize on a welcome trend of using a major named star to lead a series, then opening the door for lesser-knowns.

After all, part of The Pitt and Heated Rivalry’s appeal has been their introduction of fresh faces and new talent.

But that hasn’t prevented them from landing major stars in guest-starring roles, and knowing they’re attached to the series in any capacity could be another advantage Exiles has right now.

Jerry O’Connell and Selma Blair have also guest-starred in this ten-episode season of this series, and that’s a great pitching point.

The combination of familiar franchise faces and household names may be what turns the tide for reluctant potential viewers.

Of course, there’s also the success of series like The Hunting Wives and Heated Rivalry that have become the blueprint for companies taking big risks that ultimately pay off.

Both series were already complete when they got shopped around, too.

The Hunting Wives went on to be a mega-hit over the summer on Netflix, and HBO Max’s acquisition of Heated Rivalry in the final hour is undeniably a factor in it becoming a global hit and cultural zeitgeist.

S.W.A.T. has always been a global hit itself. The series is an international juggernaut, available for streaming in over 50 countries. And there are already plenty of interested international buyers.

It’s the American buyers who have been the question mark — until now.

With star power, a built-in demographic, and given that other shows have not just succeeded but exceeded expectations, Exiles finding a home nationally and internationally feels less uncertain and more inevitable.

It also has the perfect formula to win over new fans and viewers of the original who were resistant to the project altogether.

Are you one of those fans? How are you feeling about this spinoff, given all o this news? Will you tune in now? And where do you hope it lands: streaming, broadcast, cable?

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