New 10-Part Action Thriller Becomes One of the Biggest Streaming Hits in the World After 1 Episode

It didn’t take long for one of the most anticipated action shows of the year to quickly become a streaming smash, as after just a single episode, it’s already one of the biggest in the world. Released on Sept 25, the new series brings back some beloved favorites from a CBS classic for higher stakes, non-stop action, and a much darker tone than its predecessor.

Streaming’s Newest Action Hit Puts a Fresh Coat of Paint on an Old Favorite

Leading the charge in streaming’s latest sensation is Shemar Moore reprising his role of Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson Jr. from the hit series, S.W.A.T. Titled S.W.A.T. Exiles, the new spinoff picks up with Hondo after he has stepped away from his leadership role with the LAPD’s S.W.A.T. team. Following a high-profile mission that goes horribly wrong, he’s given one last opportunity to prove himself. His mission is simple: Build and lead a new experimental unit made up of inexperienced, unconventional recruits. What could possibly go wrong?

Premiering its first episode on Starz on Sept. 25, S.W.A.T. Exiles has already taken the streaming platform by storm. It’s now the most popular show overall in the Top 10 in the United States, overtaking the likes of Outlander: Blood of My Blood, Fightland, and the many seasons of Power that also populate the list. In addition to Moore, the new spinoff also brings back S.W.A.T. regulars Jay Harrington, Patrick St. Esprit, and David Lim. Newcomers to the franchise include Lucy Barrett, Adain Bradley, and Zyra Gorecki, to name a few.

However, while S.W.A.T. Exiles has quickly become a surefire hit, reactions to the new action spinoff have been mixed, to say the least. While it doesn’t have enough reviews to give it a score from either critics or viewers on Rotten Tomatoes, the ones it does have range from calling it a show that can “stand on its own” to a series that “feels like more of the same stuff that we saw on the original CBS series for eight seasons.” On IMDb, S.W.A.T. Exiles holds a user rating of 5.3 out of 10, which is way below the 7.2 given to the original.

The Fate of ‘S.W.A.T. Exiles’ Has Already Been Decided

While it remains to be seen if S.W.A.T. Exiles will have the same longevity as the original action hit, the fate of the new spinoff beyond Season 1 has already been confirmed. Before the first episode even aired, Starz renewed the series for a second outing, meaning there will be at least one more season for it to find its footing and hopefully win over audiences.

With a much darker and grittier foundation, it might take some getting used to, but there’s no denying that the series is definitely off to a strong start in terms of viewership. You catch the first two episodes streaming now on Starz, and look for new episodes to drop weekly until Season 1 concludes on Nov. 27.

Release Date

September 25, 2026

Network

Starz

Directors

Kevin Tancharoen

Cast

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  Shemar Moore

  David ‘Deacon’ Kay

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  Jay Harrington

  Daniel ‘Hondo’ Harrelson Jr.

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  Patrick St. Esprit

  Robert ‘Bob’ Hicks

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  Lucy Barrett

  Sammy ‘Sam’ Bishop