S.W.A.T. Exiles Update Is Exciting, But 1 Forgotten Aspect Could Still Tank It

The S.W.A.T. universe will continue with S.W.A.T. Exiles, with the spinoff recently getting an exciting casting update. In fact, there’s a filming update for the S.W.A.T. spinoff as well, with filming starting very soon once casting is complete.

There’s just one problem with all of this, and it’s in the way of the series even getting a chance to be a success. This has nothing to do with how rushed the creation of the spinoff series was following the events of the S.W.A.T. series finale, although that could be a problem.

Instead, it’s linked to how Sony is running with the series without one thing secured to make sure the series has a chance to air. It’s clear that Sony wants the S.W.A.T. universe to continue, but I’m worried that’s not going to be possible as Sony doesn’t have its own network.

S.W.A.T. Exiles’ Production Is Scheduled To Start In September

Sony Is Currently Looking For The Cast For 5 Key Characters

Sony undoubteldy wants to ensure S.W.A.T. Exiles’ success, despite some of the negativity surrounding it due to the way the announcement was handled. The most recent update even confirms this, as the show is now looking to cast five key characters in S.W.A.T. Exiles. These characters will make up the new team Hondo will lead.

With filming on the spinoff now penciled in to start mid-September, casting is underway for a charismatic, Black former Marine from South Central; an undercover cop with a questionable shooting in his past; an amputee who was at the top of her class at the academy and refuses to ride a desk; a tactical prodigy with a disruptive lack of social skills; and a former beauty queen who now works as a law enforcement “influencer.”

Casting is a huge part of legitimizing a project, as this will allow for filming to start. A lot of projects are announced with showrunners attached and storylines roughly crafted, but not all of them get to the filming stage. A Court of Thorns and Roses readers certainly have experience of that happening.

With the casting happening now, it makes it possible to start filming S.W.A.T. Exiles in mid-September. This is a little later in the year than S.W.A.T. filmed, but the show doesn’t have a strict timeline to air like the flagship. CBS hasn’t picked this S.W.A.T. spinoff series up, and the series is working in a different way than what is traditionally done.

Sony Has Yet To Find A Platform For S.W.A.T Exiles Despite Its Production Timeline

Nobody Has Given S.W.A.T. Exiles A Chance Yet

Hondo looking at Victor, mid-conversation, in SWAT season 7

While the casting and filming updates are great to see that the project is happening, there is one caveat that causes a problem. Sony still hasn’t found a network for the series, and there’s been no mention of where S.W.A.T. Exiles could air, especially considering talks for S.W.A.T. season 9 failed.

It would seem like CBS, which canceled S.W.A.T., is the best home, but the network may not be interested. Maybe Paramount+ could work, since it became such a success for the Criminal Minds revival series. However, again, there has been barely any update on where the spinoff might land.

Without a home, it doesn’t matter how far S.W.A.T. Exiles gets into production, and Sony is risking the loss of money and time.

Without a home, it doesn’t matter how far S.W.A.T. Exiles gets into production. Worse, Sony is risking the loss of money and time if it doesn’t find a platform for the show in time. Those episodes could remain on the cutting room floor for eternity because Sony has put the cart before the horse.

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