David Lim, who portrayed Officer Victor Tan on CBS’s S.W.A.T. for eight seasons, has publicly expressed his disappointment over the announcement of the spinoff series S.W.A.T. Exiles, which features only Shemar Moore reprising his role as Hondo. In an emotional Instagram post, Lim shared that the news felt like the original cast was “brushed aside,” highlighting the team’s camaraderie and their collective contributions to the show’s success. He emphasized that the ensemble cast had more stories to tell and deserved recognition for their hard work.Forbes+6EW.com+6New York Post+6
The spinoff was announced shortly after the original series concluded, with no acknowledgment of the broader cast.Lim’s sentiments were echoed by co-stars Niko Pepaj and Annie Ilonzeh, who also expressed their feelings of exclusion. In response, Shemar Moore addressed the criticism by acknowledging his former castmates as “family” and “a strong squad,” while also emphasizing his leadership role in the new series. Sony Pictures Television has not yet commented on the situation.EW.com+2New York Post+2People.com+2People.com+1EW.com+1Giải Trí A+2EW.com+2Wikipedia+2
Production for S.W.A.T. Exiles, led by producer Jason Ning, is set to begin in the summer of 2025. The series will follow Hondo as he leads a new generation of recruits in an experimental SWAT unit. While the show will feature a new cast, there are hints that familiar faces from the original series may make appearances in future episodes.EW.com+1Wikipedia+1Wikipedia
The announcement of the spinoff has sparked a conversation about the treatment of ensemble casts and the importance of recognizing the contributions of all actors in a series. Fans have rallied behind the original cast, with petitions circulating online to show support and demand acknowledgment for their roles in the show’s success.People.com+1New York Post+1
FAQs
1. Why did David Lim feel “brushed aside”?
David Lim expressed his disappointment over the announcement of S.W.A.T. Exiles, which featured only Shemar Moore reprising his role. He felt that the original cast’s contributions were overlooked and that they deserved recognition for their work on the series.Wikipedia+3EW.com+3New York Post+3
2. Who else from the original S.W.A.T. cast has commented on the spinoff?
Co-stars Niko Pepaj and Annie Ilonzeh have also expressed their feelings of exclusion regarding the spinoff.New York Post
3. What is S.W.A.T. Exiles about?
S.W.A.T. Exiles follows Hondo as he leads a new generation of recruits in an experimental SWAT unit. The series will introduce new characters while maintaining connections to the original S.W.A.T. universe.Wikipedia
4. Will other original cast members appear in S.W.A.T. Exiles?
While the spinoff will feature a new cast, there are hints that familiar faces from the original series may make appearances in future episodes.People.com
5. How can fans show support for the original cast?
Fans can support the original cast by signing petitions, sharing their thoughts on social media, and expressing their appreciation for the contributions of all actors in the S.W.A.T. series.
This article was crafted with the latest information available as of June 2025. For more updates, stay tuned to official announcements and streaming platforms.
