‘S.W.A.T.’ Star Addresses ‘Sting’ of Being Shut Out of Spinoff

S.W.A.T. will end its seven season run on CBS in May 2024. (Credit: CBS)

David Lim, who played officer Victor Tan on S.W.A.T., is speaking out after the announcement that the story would continue in the spinoff, S.W.A.T. Exiles, without most of the original cast.

Sony Pictures Television, which produced the CBS police drama, announced the spinoff on May 18, just two days after S.W.A.T. aired its final episode.

Lim shared his thoughts on Instagram Wednesday, May 28, saying he’s been “sitting with everything” since hearing the news.

“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. “I poured my heart into playing Tan — and even more than that, into the team and friendships we built on and off screen.”

Related: Shemar Moore Frustrates Fans With Comments About ‘S.W.A.T.’ Spinoff 

Alongside a photo of the cast and crew, Lim reflected on what made the show special, saying “it was the squad. The bond. The camaraderie. The shared blood, sweat, tears, and laughs we gave to every episode.”

Lim also gave a nod to his co-stars for pushing CBS to keep the show alive after it was canceled and un-canceled a couple of times.

“I’m proud of how we fought for a ninth season. We believed we still had more to give, more stories to tell,” Lim said. “We wanted it for our crew, for each other, and for the newer faces just joining us.”

CBS ultimately decided it no longer wanted the series after eight seasons. But Sony’s recent announcement of a spinoff without the original team hit Lim hard.

“I’d be lying if I said the rollout of the new spinoff didn’t sting. 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 added.

“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,” the actor continued.

As previously reported, Shemar Moore — who plays Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson — is the only original cast member confirmed to return for the spinoff.

The actor led the cast of S.W.A.T. and will also serve as an executive producer on the new show.

After the spinoff was announced, Moore addressed questions about the rest of the original cast. But he angered some longtime fans with his comments.

“I’m not saying I’m Tom Brady. But I’m the Tom Brady of S.W.A.T.,” Moore stated. “That’s not arrogant. That’s not ego. It’s a fact. I’m the quarterback. I’m Shemar Moore, aka Hondo. But I had a squad, a strong squad, a family, a team. And I would be remiss if I didn’t say out loud to the world, and to them because I know they’re watching this. I love you. I respect you. I appreciate you.”

According to Sony, S.W.A.T. Exiles will follow Hondo as he’s brought back from forced retirement to lead a risky new unit of unpredictable young recruits.

The 10-episode series is set to film this summer in Los Angeles, keeping the original show’s 200-person local crew on board, the studio said.

The show will be shopped to TV networks and streamers, with an announcement to come once a new home is found.

Lim’s full statement on the spinoff is below:

S.W.A.T. star David Lim posted a statement about the spinoff to Instagram on Wednesday, May 28, 2025. (Credit: Instagram)


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About Maria Leal

Maria Leal is a bilingual, multi-media journalist based in Los Angeles. She can be reached on Twitter @MariaLealNews.

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