Criminal Minds alum Shemar Moore cast in CBS’ new S.W.A.T. pilot
Want to know about Shemar Moore’s new TV show … or at least a potential one?
Here’s the news that is coming out today. Moore, about one year removed from his exit playing Derek Morgan on Criminal Minds, is officially set to be the lead in the new CBS remake of S.W.A.T., a project that already has existed on two different iterations. Aaron Thomas wrote the pilot, and the show also has Timeless exec Shawn Ryan on board as an executive producer. Justin Lin, a great action director who helmed the pilot for Scorpion, will do the same exact thing here.
There are several reasons to be excited about the idea of this show, but the biggest one to us is the simple fact that it brings Moore back to TV, and he’s a guy who will bring a lot in terms of his presence and his ability to command scenes. This will probably be a more physical part for him than Derek was by and large, but he’s capable of handling that without a problem. The network is also a perfect fit just when you look at their recent properties, which include many different remakes / spin-offs. With Criminal Minds: Beyond Borders premiering soon, Mondays are going to be the only night of programming where CBS does not have some sort of remake / spin-off on the air. They get big ratings, and viewers do for the most part love familiarity. It’s not hard to figure out why they would want this idea to work.
Unfortunately, you’re still going to be waiting until May to figure out if the pilot lands and the show is picked up to series. CBS does have some holes at present. Thursdays at 10:00 p.m. Eastern remain a trouble spot, Sundays could have an opening with Elementary in danger, and this show feels natural to follow Criminal Minds given the affection that many of those viewers already have for Shemar. It’s similar to what is going on right now with Michael Weatherly’s Bull following up NCIS on the night.
What do you think about Moore getting cast in this show? Let us know your thoughts in the comments! (Photo: CBS.)