The S.W.A.T. franchise just keeps on keepin on! On Monday, it has been revealed that its latest spinoff S.W.A.T. Exiles starring The Young and the Restless Daytime Emmy winner, Shemar Moore, will have its series premiere this fall on Starz beginning on September 25.

The series had been looking for a home, and Starz wound up being that outlet after series producer and distributor Sony Pictures Television closed a deal with the pay-TV network for the U.S. rights to the action thriller. Previously, the studio sold S.W.A.T. Exiles in Europe, Latin America, Asia-Pacific, the Middle East and Africa, with the 10-episode series set to launch day-and-date in select international territories.

According to Deadline, “Sony Pictures TV is using a windowing strategy for S.W.A.T. Exiles in the U.S. with Starz getting first window. I hear the studio has been in second-window conversations with Netflix where the original series has been available for more than three years.”

Photo: SPT

S.W.A.T EXILES FEATURES “HONDO” HARRELSON AND YOUNG RECRUITS

In a statement on the deal, Shemar Moore expressed: “S.W.A.T. Exiles is coming in hot! I couldn’t be more excited that Starz is bringing this next chapter to audiences in the U.S. A huge thank you to Sony Pictures Television for believing in this franchise and continuing to invest in what we’ve built together. What makes this moment even more special is that we’re reaching audiences in all major territories worldwide. Fans everywhere will get to experience this epic new ride together.”

In S.W.A.T. Exiles, after a high-profile mission goes sideways, Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson (Moore) is pulled out of forced retirement to lead a last-chance experimental S.W.A.T. unit made up of untested, unpredictable young recruits. Hondo must bridge a generational divide, navigate clashing personalities and turn a squad of outsiders into a team capable of protecting the city — and saving the program that made him who he is.

It was back in May that viewers watched the OG S.W.A.T. come to an end after 8 seasons on CBS and multiple resuscitations along the way to keep it alive after it was about to be buried.

Photo: JPI

SHEMAR MOORE’S RECENT RETURN TO THE YOUNG AND THE RESTLESS

Taking to his Instagram to share the excitement of the pick-up; Moore said, Yeee!!! S.W.A.T. EXILES is OFFICIALLY picked up!!!!!! Landing on Starz this FALL!!!! Congratulations to the CAST, CREW, and our team at Sony Pictures Television ….. We continue to defy the odds!!!! To the FANS…. Thank you for always showing love. We can’t wait for you to see what we’ve made for YOU!!!! Let’s go!!!!! 🔥🔥🔥”

While waiting for the fate of S.W.A.T. Exiles, Moore made a return to The Young and the Restless in a pivotal yet short story arc that concluded this month. In it, we learned that Malcolm had a child with former flame, Dr. Stephanie Simmons (Vivica A. Fox), the product of which was Holden Novak (Nathan Owens).

The intel all came to light when Malcolm developed aplastic anemia and needed a bone marrow transplant. The donor wound up to be none other than Lily’s (Christel Khalil) ex, Cane Ashby (Billy Flynn). Now, Malcolm has said his goodbyes for now to Genoa City, while Holden now is tied to the Winters family and Stephanie gets a new lease on life too.

So, excited to learn that S.W.A.T Exiles will be able to been in the U.S. on Starz? Do you hope Shemar will one day bring Malcolm back for another visit to Y&R? Weigh-in via the comment section.

 

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The soap opera Gods haves smiled down upon late night talk show and Emmy winner, John Oliver. The Last Week Tonight host revealed on Sunday’s June 28 episode of his HBO Max series, that he booked two roles on two different soap operas, General Hospital and Days of Our Lives and his long-fueled desire to appear in a role on the genre had been fully realized, twice over!

Previously, Oliver let it be known back in the March 8 episode of this late night show, that after realizing ESPN’s Stephen A. Smith (Brick) had a recurring role on a soap opera, that he was tinged with jealously and wanted to do the same sharing, “To all the soap operas out there, let me say this: I am officially offering myself to you. Write me a role, and I will be on your set so fast, it will make your head spin.” Oliver also had some mandates he wanted a character with a “ridiculous” name, and he wanted,” something juicy, like murder, or slapping, or being slapped, or being someone’s long-lost something.”

So, who came a calling? First up, General Hospital! Oliver will be playing a “significant” character to a major storyline (and i think you know who it will be!) in episodes that begin this week for a three-episode arc starting on Thursday, July 2, Friday, July 3 and wrapping Monday, July 6.

Photo: JPI

JOHN OLIVER COMES TO PORT CHARLES

In a statement, GH executive producer, Frank Valentini told Variety, “When John Oliver publicly threw down the gauntlet and said he wanted to appear on a soap, we didn’t hesitate for a second. He was everything you’d hope he’d be: prepared, professional, funny and genuinely kind to everyone on set. He plays an integral character in the story, and I can’t wait for fans to see who he crosses paths within Port Charles.”

John Oliver added: General Hospital was everything I hoped it would be. It’s a true honor to be a small stain on the history of this illustrious show.”

On the Sunday, June 28 episode of Last Week Tonight, Oliver shared, “General Hospital had genuinely picked me for a role and given me the chance to hang out in Port Charles, the home of Luke and Laura, the Corinthos family and Brick, and given me the chance to join the ranks of guest stars like Elizabeth Taylor, Sammy Davis Jr, and of course the great Colonel Sanders.”

Oliver explained, “I’ll be on General Hospital next week and while I’m not going to spoil anything. I will show you this picture of my character. Yes, that is me surrounded by men with guns. And yes, my hair has been dipped in an ink well (see lead photo of this article), and if you can tell from my face, I’m acting my hardest.”

As the story broke, GH’s Chris McKenna (Brennan) took to X and said “Go to ‘Z’ with the hashtags #GH and @HBO, meaning Oliver has to be playing the never-before-seen boss of Cullum (Andrew Hawkes), who Carly (Laura Wright) and Valentin (James Patrick Stuart) are trying to get to.

JOHN OLIVER COMES TO SALEM

Following, his stint on General Hospital and as first reported by Oliver himself, he will next be seen in episodes streaming on Peacock of Days of Our Lives, August 11, 12 and 14. Given DAYS usually tapes ten-months in advance of streaming, it’s clear they worked in some new scenes featuring Oliver just the other week.

In a statement on his guest star role on Days of Our Lives, series executive producer, Ken Corday shared, “When John Oliver said, ‘Call me soaps, I’m available and willing to travel. I want to be a part of that world,’ our world, we had to heed the call!”

Photo: CordayProductions/ChrisHaston

On Last Week Tonight, Oliver explained, “I’m thrilled to announce I have an update, because I don’t know if you’ve ever heard of little show called Days of Our Lives. The show that gave us unforgettable moments like the Devil possessing Marlena, Sami Brady trying to rescue Phillip from Iraq by going in full soldier drag and Bo Brady discovering a mysterious woman in a bayou that everyone called Swamp Girl until learning she was actually a princess. Well, I’m happy to say that I’ve already taped a week of episodes on Days of Our Lives!”

He acknowledged being part of the iconic series and its legendary stars: “This is clearly a huge honor to come to the home of some of the more renowned soap actors like Deidre Hall (Marlena), Susan Seaforth Hayes (Julie), and the late John Aniston (ex-Victor).”

Photo: IG

Oliver then showed a photo of himself in a scene with EJ DiMera played by Dan Feuerriegel and wearing a rather humorous hair piece. On Monday, Feuerriegel took to his social media and shared a behind the scenes photo of himself next to Oliver and writing, “Well, this happened 🤭 Can’t wait for y’all to enjoy the shenanigans. John crushes it. #daysofourlives #JohnOliver”

So, what do you think of John Oliver being given two soap roles from two shows, who quickly picked up on the the late night talk show host’s desire to appear on a soap and wrote roles and booked him? Weigh-in via the comment section, but first check out the promo from this week’s General Hospital featuring Oliver below.

Last weekend, we shared the news that General Hospital alum and Daytime Emmy winner, Chad Duell (ex-Michael Corinthos) was releasing his first single today on June 26th and it has indeed dropped! And for those readers who guessed that Duell’s first track out of the gate was going to be an EDM/Dance/House track … you are correct, sir!

The song entitled, “If You Need Me” is perfect for the late night clubs and can be found on Spotify and other major streaming platforms! Duell is noted as the performing artist, but as the composer/ lyricist and the beatmaker of the track. For his music projects, Chad is going solely by the name of “Duelly” which has been his social media handle for years.

Taking to his Instagram on Friday, Duell explained his deep dive into making music, expressing, “I’ve wanted to make music for a long time… I just never did it. It always felt like this huge, overwhelming thing to learn. All the technical side of it, the programs, everything that goes into actually building a track… it was easy to keep pushing it off.  A couple months ago I finally just decided to go for it.”

Photo: JPI

BIT BY BIT PUTTING IT TOGETHER

Chad added, “Since then I’ve been putting in a lot of time learning, experimenting, figuring things out, and slowly starting to find a sound I’m really proud of. This first release is more of a dance/EDM vibe, but I’ve also been working on a lot of different styles behind the scenes that I’m just as excited about. At some point I realized I could keep holding onto everything trying to make it perfect… or I could just start putting music out and grow as I go.”

Stepping out of his own way, Duell firmly says, “So that’s what I’m doing.  My first track “If You Need Me” is out now. More coming soon… this is just the beginning.”

As GH viewers know, Chad made the decision to step away from General Hospital after a 15-year run with the series where his last episode aired in January of 2025. By May of last year, the role was recast with Rory Gibson debuting in the part.

Give a listen below to Duelly’s “If You Need Me,” and let us know what you thought of it via the comment section below.