Shemar Moore Discusses Divorce, Loss, and Departures in S.W.A.T. Exile
The debut of S.W.A.T.‘s spinoff took viewers on a journey through a significant time jump, resulting in several exits, a death, and a divorce.
In the Friday, September 25, episode of S.W.A.T.: Exiles, Hondo (Shemar Moore) returns two years after the storyline of the original CBS series. He finds himself in a much darker mindset due to his recent divorce, the loss of his mother, and an unsuccessful mission that led to his departure from S.W.A.T.
“Art often reflects life. In reality, my mom has been in heaven for six years. My dad passed away just six years ago. Now I have a daughter, who is everything to me. I’ve lived through some highs and lows in life,” Moore, 56, shared exclusively with Us about drawing from his own experiences for Hondo’s character. “When you’re at a low point, you have to sit with those feelings.”
Moore envisioned Hondo embarking on a personal quest.
“My mother taught me to keep getting up and fighting. You also need to appreciate what you have. That aligns closely with Hondo’s situation. I thought, what if Hondo is going through a divorce? He’s been ousted from S.W.A.T. after being set up during a failed mission,” Moore elaborated. “Everything he stood for and worked hard to achieve has been stripped away. He’s now in a dark place, similar to when he lost his wife. He’s trying to maintain a relationship with his daughter, all while dealing with the loss of his mentor, best friend, and confidant.”
S.W.A.T., which made its CBS debut in 2017, focused on a Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) team known as Twenty Squad operating in Los Angeles. After numerous cancellations and revivals on CBS, the show has transitioned to Starz with a new cast and fresh story arcs.
“This version of S.W.A.T. has deeper layers — and not just concerning Hondo,” Moore told Us. “I love portraying a superhero, but just being a superhero can become monotonous. Playing a flawed, optimistic, defiant, and resilient human who cherishes the highs and perseveres through the lows is something many can connect with. That’s why folks root for Hondo and this show, as it replaces something they cherished for years.”
He concluded: “There’s considerable pressure on this series, and everyone involved aims to prove that it’s worth watching. We strive to beat the odds because that’s what we do.”
Moore championed the fresh direction of S.W.A.T..
“I thought, ‘If we want to change things up, what exactly will be different?’ The tone is darker; it has a grittier feel. The writing has evolved to be a bit more grounded and intensifies the storytelling and character development,” he hinted. “It features multilayered storytelling.”
He continued: “Expect plenty of action! There will be super cops, helicopter chases, motorcycle pursuits, and car chases. We’ll engage in some serious hand-to-hand combat. But alongside that, there’s a depth to the characters you’ll get to explore through their interactions.”
S.W.A.T.: Exiles airs on Starz every Friday at 10 p.m. ET, with new episodes available for streaming the following day on the Starz app.
