‘S.W.A.T.’ actor David Lim felt ‘brushed aside’ by Shemar Moore spinoff

S.W.A.T. star David Lim isn’t thrilled about the show’s upcoming spinoff.

Days after Sony Pictures Television announced the development of S.W.A.T. Exiles, a spinoff series with only Shemar Moore reprising his role from the OG series, Lim admits that learning the news felt like being “brushed aside.”

“Being a part of S.W.A.T. for the past 8 seasons has been one of the great honors of my life,” Lim began his Wednesday Instagram post. “I poured my heart into playing Tan — and even more than that, into the team and friendships we built on and off screen.”

He continued, “What made S.W.A.T. special wasn’t just the action, or one character. It was the squad. The bond. The camaraderie. The shared blood, sweat, tears, and laughs we gave to every episode. That effortless chemistry was there from the very first day we came together for the pilot, and it carried through all 8 seasons.”

Though Lim did not name Moore, he alluded to the studio’s decision to begin a new chapter of the police procedural with only one star by arguing that the entirety of the S.W.A.T cast “still had more to give” and “more stories to tell.”

He added, “It wasn’t in the cards for all of us — and that’s okay. We had a magical run and went out on a high note with those final two episodes.”

Lim then made it clear that he was hurt by the spinoff news and its exclusion of the expansive cast.

“I’d be lying if I said the rollout of the new spinoff didn’t sting,” he wrote. “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. 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.”

He thanked fans for sending messages of support amid the news and concluded, “I may not know what the future holds for Tan, but I couldn’t be more proud of what we created together — our cast, writers, producers, crew… our S.W.A.T. family,” he added. “No version of this story can take that away.”

Sony Pictures Television did not immediately respond to Entertainment Weekly‘s request for comment, while representatives for Moore declined to comment.

In the comments section of his post, Lim received support from not just fans, but several of his S.W.A.T. cast mates.

“Very well said David,” Annie Ilonzeh, who joined the show in its final season, wrote on Instagram. OG cast member Jay Harrington replied with multiple fist bump emojis while Anna Enger Ritch, who joined in the show’s fifth season, left a heart emoji. 

Rochelle Aytes, who departed the show ahead of its final season, weighed in on Lim’s response to the shakeup, sending her former castmate support with a brief message: “Beautifully said!!,” she wrote. “Here’s to an amazing 8 years! May your next journey be just as incredible if not more!!”

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After the May 16 finale of S.W.A.T., Sony announced plans for S.W.A.T. Exiles, a 10-episode series from Lucifer and The Expanse writer-producer Jason Ning, set to begin production this summer.

“You heard it here first, Hondo’s not done yet,” read the studio’s Instagram announcement. “Be on the lookout for S.W.A.T EXILES — he’s back not just to lead, but to rebuild. New recruits. No second chances.”

Moore was met with a wave of backlash from fans on social media, which he answered in a video, addressing his status as the only returning cast member. “Nobody likes change. I understand that. I get it 100%, but without change, you can’t grow,” he told followers. “You can’t win without taking your lumps. S.W.A.T. Exiles, baby, we won the battle.”

He continued, “I’m not saying I’m Tom Brady but I’m the Tom Brady of S.W.A.T. That’s not arrogant. That’s not ego, it’s a fact. I’m the quarterback. But I had a strong squad, a family, a team.”

After shouting out his castmates by name, he concluded, “People get traded. Tight ends get traded. The running back gets traded. The receivers get traded. But the teams keep pushing with their quarterback and I’m that guy. So proud, so grateful, not gonna apologize for nothing. Busted my ass for 31 years to do what I do, and excited for the future.”