S.W.A.T. Creator Is Going From Shemar Moore To Jon Hamm As The Lead Of His Newest TV Show

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Shawn Ryan, as showrunner of CBS’ S.W.A.T., has experienced an unusual series of events over the past few years. Initially canceled in 2022, the drama was then revived for a final season, but this decision was later retracted. This rollercoaster continued until March 2025 when it was canceled again. Here’s to hoping these ups and downs won’t be a trend throughout his future projects, especially since he has now taken on a significant follow-up project.

Besides being a collaborator on Netflix’s suspenseful spy series “The Night Agent,” which is surprising fans with the early arrival of Season 3 for Netflix subscribers, Ryan is now leading the charge for the upcoming streaming show “American Hostage.” Having worked alongside the charismatic and gifted Shemar Moore over the past eight years, he’s now set to work with Jon Hamm, another equally charismatic and talented actor, for a lead role. For at least one season, this project will employ a fast-paced anthology format.

As a movie enthusiast, I’m eager to share my excitement about “American Hostage,” a gripping production co-created by Ryan, in collaboration with Eileen Myers from “Mad Dogs” and “Big Love.” This captivating series is an adaptation of a popular scripted podcast, where Bryan Hamm brilliantly portrays Fred Heckman. The narrative unfolds as a dramatic retelling of the true events that transpired in 1977 when financially struggling Tony Kiritsis took his mortgage broker, Richard O. Hall, hostage under the misconception that he was being set up.

The streaming platform MGM+ acquired the rights for the series “American Hostage,” which Ryan and Hamm began developing in November 2023 when “S.W.A.T.” Season 8 was still an upcoming project. It seems the leader of the platform is eager to bring this tale to fruition, expressing:

As a die-hard movie enthusiast, let me tell you about an utterly gripping tale that revolves around authentic individuals grappling with a heart-stopping hostage crisis in real time. There’s simply no better performer I can imagine carrying this narrative than the immensely talented Jon.

Unfortunately, the planned 2025 release of this series has been delayed, and it’s expected to premiere approximately halfway through 2026. However, this is merely a prediction as the actual debut date may vary. Production is set to begin this fall in Winnipeg, Canada.

I was eagerly anticipating that the formal announcement would reveal additional actors set to star alongside Jon Hamm on the upcoming series. The podcast boasted the consistently superb performances of Carla Gugino, Dylan Baker, and Joseph Perrino, all of whom would undoubtedly shine in live-action roles. However, scheduling considerations are likely a crucial factor that could either facilitate or hinder their potential returns.

It’s hard to picture anyone turning down the opportunity to act alongside Jon Hamm in a fresh streaming series, assuming schedule permits. His recent work includes co-starring with Billy Bob Thornton and Demi Moore in Taylor Sheridan’s “Landman”, but his character’s fate in Season 1 wrapped up things for him, opening up the chance to take on another leading role.

On the same day, it was reported that Bill Hader might take the lead in a new drama series about the Jonestown tragedy – adding to the ongoing influx of prominent real-life crime stories. One can’t help but ponder where Shemar Moore might appear next…

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2025-04-24 00:07