Shemar Moore Talks S.W.A.T. Exiles, Hondo’s Darker Journey and His Incredible Career

Shemar Moore reflects on nearly a decade as Hondo, his journey from The Young and the Restless to S.W.A.T. Exiles, and why imperfect heroes make the most compelling characters.

For decades, Shemar Moore has connected with television audiences through memorable roles on The Young and the Restless, Criminal Minds, and S.W.A.T. Now, after nearly a decade portraying Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, the actor is returning to the franchise with S.W.A.T. Exiles, a darker and grittier spin-off introducing an entirely new team, a dangerous conspiracy, and a version of Hondo audiences haven’t experienced before.

During an exclusive interview with Nerdtropolis, Moore opened up about his journey through television, his appreciation for the fans who have followed him around the world, and his passion for bringing believable heroes to the screen. He also discussed the intense tactical training behind the franchise, how fatherhood keeps him young, and why Hondo’s imperfections make his latest chapter more compelling.

The 10-episode STARZ series picks up two years after a fatal shooting leaves Hondo’s career hanging by a thread. Forced into retirement after refusing to bury the truth, he is pulled back into action to assemble an experimental tactical unit consisting of the LAPD’s most talented outcasts. As he attempts to transform the unpredictable recruits into a dependable team, Hondo discovers a conspiracy involving a mole within his ranks, the department’s top brass, and the mayor’s office.

For Moore, the continuation offers a chance to explore new dimensions of a character he loves while maintaining the high-octane action and emotional storytelling responsible for the original show’s success.

Shemar Moore on Returning as Hondo and the Worldwide Success of S.W.A.T.

Our conversation began with a lighthearted discussion about the challenges of watching television with your significant other, particularly when one person can stay awake much longer than the other. Moore revealed that he and his partner have a similar arrangement when watching series together, including Lioness and Ray Donovan.

With children in the household, they typically begin watching television around 9 p.m., but his partner usually falls asleep shortly after 10. Meanwhile, Moore is just getting started and can easily watch episodes until 3 or 4 in the morning. As a result, finishing a series together can take more than a month, even though he could complete the same show in two days.

The discussion shifted to the franchise’s multigenerational appeal and how S.W.A.T. has become a shared viewing experience for families around the world.

Moore expressed appreciation for the show’s international popularity and its ability to connect with audiences across generations. He recalled discovering clips of himself playing Hondo on TikTok and Instagram in different languages, including Japanese and Italian, and marveled at the franchise’s worldwide reach.

“It’s wild that the whole world has gravitated,” Moore said, reflecting on how the series has become a family viewing experience for audiences of different ages.

Why Moore Still Loves Playing Hondo

His attachment to the character also comes from the opportunity to fulfill childhood dreams through his work. Moore enthusiastically described the helicopters, explosions, dangerous stunts, car chases, and hand-to-hand combat involved in bringing Hondo’s adventures to life.

“My job, I actually make money flying around on helicopters, rappelling off buildings, running from burning buildings, exploding buildings,” Moore explained. “We get these crazy car chases where we get to, you know, break the speed limit, spin around in circles, and do all kinds of crazy stuff. Hand-to-hand combat. You know, it’s fun to be a superhero.”

Beyond the action, Moore appreciates the franchise’s ability to incorporate topical issues, engaging drama, and characters audiences can connect with. He thanked Sony and STARZ for allowing the story to continue, acknowledging the entertainment industry’s unpredictability while expressing excitement about Hondo’s next adventure.

S.W.A.T. Exiles Brings a Darker, Grittier Hondo to STARZ

Although Moore remains the face of the franchise, S.W.A.T. Exiles isn’t simply a continuation of the original series with a different supporting cast. The spin-off introduces a more grounded visual style, a less polished working environment, and a complicated storyline built around Hondo’s efforts to rebuild his career while protecting the institution he has devoted his life to serving.

“If audiences loved the original S.W.A.T., this one’s a little different, but cool different,” Moore said. “A little darker in tone, a little darker in the way it looks. It’s not as flashy. It’s not as James Bond-y with all the technical big screens and computers.”

Moore compared the new command center to the police environments featured in Hill Street Blues, describing it as a dungeon-like space rather than the sleek, technology-heavy headquarters associated with the original show. The change in atmosphere complements Hondo’s circumstances as he takes command of a unit whose members have already been dismissed or underestimated by the department.

A New Team and a Conspiracy Inside the LAPD

The Exiles include a live-streaming hotshot, a socially awkward tech genius, a fiercely disciplined operator with something to prove, a wildcard with a troubled past, and a strategist hiding an agenda. Their different personalities create immediate challenges for Hondo, who must overcome a generational divide and establish trust before the unit can function effectively under pressure.

Moore described his character’s leadership role as quarterbacking the new team, combining the intense action audiences expect with more complicated character relationships and an overarching mystery. “You get the crazy thrill action, but then you get some fun, kind of intense storytelling,” he said.

Hondo’s latest assignment becomes increasingly dangerous as he discovers a conspiracy designed to destroy both him and the S.W.A.T. program. With a mole operating within his ranks and powerful individuals involved in the plot, the veteran officer must determine whom he can trust while working to protect his new recruits.

The series also benefits from its streaming format. Moore explained how moving to STARZ allows the storytelling to unfold without the same commercial-break structure as the original broadcast series, creating room for a continuing conspiracy throughout the season.

“There’s this whole undercurrent of a storyline where the machine is trying to take down Hondo and take down S.W.A.T.,” Moore revealed. “Hondo doesn’t know who he can trust. He’s been set up to fail. So yet again, he has to defy the odds.”

From The Young and the Restless to Criminal Minds: Moore Reflects on His Television Legacy

Moore’s return as Hondo represents another chapter in a television career spanning multiple generations. During our interview, I reflected on growing up watching him on The Young and the Restless and how audiences have continued following his work through Criminal Minds, S.W.A.T., and now S.W.A.T. Exiles.

Rather than viewing his major roles as separate accomplishments, Moore described his career as an educational journey in which each experience prepared him for the next opportunity.

“I treat my career like school,” he explained. “Young and the Restless is where I began, and that was—I call that high school.”

He credited the long-running soap opera with providing his foundation before Criminal Minds introduced him to another enormous audience. His work on the CBS crime drama eventually led to S.W.A.T., opening the door for nearly a decade of portraying Hondo and establishing the franchise’s future.

“The Young and the Restless led to Criminal Minds. Criminal Minds led to S.W.A.T.,” Moore said, emphasizing how each major project contributed to the next chapter of his career. “And without S.W.A.T., there’d be no S.W.A.T. Exiles.”

The Worldwide Fans Who Keep the Shemar Train Rolling

Throughout our conversation, Moore repeatedly expressed gratitude to the people who have supported his career. He acknowledged Sony, STARZ, his agents, managers, and publicists, but placed particular emphasis on the audience members who have followed his work over the years.

The actor has experienced the franchise’s international popularity firsthand while traveling abroad, describing how fans approach him in different countries to express their appreciation. Although social media offers a glimpse of his worldwide following, those personal encounters have made the experience even more meaningful.

Moore described the international support as humbling, expressing pride in the connections he has developed with viewers throughout his career.

His appreciation for the audience remains a driving force behind his enthusiasm for continuing Hondo’s journey. When I mentioned the extraordinary number of television episodes he has appeared in throughout his career, Moore responded with his trademark humor and made it clear he isn’t planning to disappear anytime soon.

“I told them they have to kill me. I’m not going away,” he joked, adding that he has learned to dodge the metaphorical shots coming his way.

Moore knows the entertainment business offers no guarantees, but his passion for performing and his audience’s loyalty continue to motivate him. He summed up the collaborative effort behind his longevity with a memorable description of his career: “It takes a village to keep the Shemar train rolling.”

Shemar Moore Opens Up About Being a Shy Kid, Fatherhood and Finding His Inner Child

One of the most personal moments of our conversation came when I asked Moore about the rewards of creating characters audiences choose to follow for years. Having watched his work since childhood, I wanted to understand what continues to inspire him after spending so much of his life entertaining people.

His answer began with a surprising revelation about his younger self. “Growing up, I was actually a shy kid,” Moore admitted, recognizing how difficult the revelation might be to believe given his outgoing personality.

The charismatic public persona fans recognize today developed as he became more comfortable embracing his playful nature. While Moore enjoys portraying serious characters such as Hondo, he explained how his own personality is considerably more lighthearted.

“I’m a silly, happy-go-lucky guy,” he said. “Shemar is a lot more fun than Hondo. Hondo is Mr. Serious and got to take care of business.”

How Fatherhood Keeps Moore Young

Moore described himself as someone who understands his adult responsibilities but appreciates any opportunity to act like a kid. His playful side has become especially meaningful since welcoming his daughter, Frankie, whom he affectionately called his miracle.

“Now I got a daughter, you know, my little baby girl, my miracle Frankie. And so she’s keeping me young.”

Fatherhood hasn’t diminished his enthusiasm for acting. Instead, Moore continues to embrace the opportunity to create characters audiences can believe in, connect with, and support through difficult circumstances. He enjoys playing heroic figures but also wants to capture the emotional experiences and imperfections, making those characters feel human.

For Moore, the art of acting involves convincing viewers to believe in the world unfolding on screen without losing sight of the people beneath the spectacle. His commitment to balancing larger-than-life heroism with relatable personalities has become an important part of his approach to Hondo.

Four Months of Real S.W.A.T. Training Helped Build the Franchise

While Moore enjoys describing Hondo as a superhero without a cape, the actor emphasized how seriously he takes the responsibility of portraying a tactical officer. His commitment to authenticity began long before the original S.W.A.T. premiered, when the cast underwent extensive training with real law enforcement and military personnel.

According to Moore, the actors spent four months preparing for the original pilot, working with LAPD S.W.A.T., San Diego Police Department S.W.A.T., and members of SEAL Team 6. Their preparation involved learning how tactical teams move, communicate, and breach buildings, providing a practical foundation for the action sequences featured throughout the series.

“We spent four months really respecting and learning how to move as S.W.A.T. officers and how to communicate and how to breach buildings and things like that,” Moore explained.

Bringing Authentic Tactical Training to S.W.A.T. Exiles

Moore wants the new S.W.A.T. Exiles cast to embrace the same philosophy, emphasizing how the production requires more than actors looking convincing while carrying weapons. He takes pride in helping the recruits understand the work and preparation behind their characters, maintaining the franchise’s commitment to incorporating authentic tactical elements into its fictional storytelling.

For him, the most meaningful recognition comes from real officers who watch the series and appreciate its portrayal of their profession.

“The best compliment we can get is from men and women of law enforcement who come up and have seen the show and say, ‘Hey, thank you. You make us look good. You make us proud.'”

Moore appreciates the extraordinary stunts and larger-than-life action, but his dedication to the training reflects his desire to make the characters and their work believable. The original preparation established an approach he continues to carry into the franchise’s newest chapter.

Why Hondo’s Imperfections Make Him a More Compelling Hero

For all the physical preparation and explosive action involved in S.W.A.T., Moore believes the emotional complexity of his characters gives audiences a reason to keep watching. He wants viewers to recognize the humanity beneath the heroism, especially when Hondo finds himself confronting situations without easy solutions.

The latest series introduces a version of the character shaped by professional betrayal, forced retirement, and uncertainty surrounding his return. Although Hondo remains a highly capable leader, his experiences have left him more guarded and emotionally worn down.

“This version of S.W.A.T., Hondo’s a little darker. He’s a little grumpier, a little darker. He’s a little flawed,” Moore explained.

Moore believes heroic characters become more interesting when they experience failure, make mistakes, and struggle to overcome their circumstances rather than succeeding at every challenge. He emphasized the importance of perseverance, explaining how imperfect heroes can remain relatable even when their situations become overwhelming.

“I think flawed heroes are more interesting,” Moore said. “They make mistakes. They don’t always win, but they never give up.”

Hondo Faces Betrayal and a Conspiracy From Within

His description captures the central conflict of S.W.A.T. Exiles. Hondo has already lost the career he spent years building, and his return places him in command of a team struggling with its own reputations and personal challenges. Meanwhile, a conspiracy is actively working against him, forcing the veteran officer to confront threats extending far beyond the criminals he encounters on the streets.

Moore emphasized how Hondo’s determination remains the defining characteristic connecting the spin-off to the original series. Despite the character’s darker personality and the uncertainty surrounding his mission, he refuses to abandon his responsibilities or surrender when circumstances become overwhelming.

“They get up, and they fight. They fight and fight and fight until they get the job done.”

The new recruits also play an important role in the character’s journey. Each member brings a different personality and set of challenges to the unit, allowing audiences to connect with them as Hondo tries to transform the outsiders into a team capable of protecting the city.

Moore expressed confidence in the distinct personalities introduced throughout the series and hopes viewers will embrace them as the franchise expands. For him, the evolution doesn’t require abandoning the Hondo audiences already love. Instead, it allows the character to face new challenges while holding on to the determination and sense of purpose responsible for making him a lasting television hero.

The Shemar Train Keeps Rolling With S.W.A.T. Exiles

As our conversation ended, Moore’s gratitude for his career and the fans who have supported him remained clear. From his early days on The Young and the Restless to his memorable run on Criminal Minds and nearly a decade leading S.W.A.T., his passion for performing continues to fuel his journey. With S.W.A.T. Exiles, Moore embraces the chance to explore Hondo’s vulnerabilities, introduce a new generation of tactical officers, and expand the franchise’s legacy.

Hondo’s latest mission places him at the center of a dangerous conspiracy as he leads an unpredictable team and faces enemies operating within the very department he once trusted. The darker storyline pushes the veteran officer into unfamiliar territory, challenging his leadership, loyalty, and determination. Through it all, Moore remains committed to delivering the action, authenticity, and human storytelling audiences have come to expect from the franchise, proving his journey as Hondo is far from over.

S.W.A.T. Exiles premieres Friday, Sept. 25, on the STARZ app and all STARZ streaming and on-demand platforms, with new episodes from the 10-episode season streaming weekly on Fridays.

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