Shemar Moore suits up for more than action with 'S.W.A.T.'

Mandi Bierly

S.W.A.T. may be inspired by the ’70s TV show and 2003 film, but the only thing the new CBS drama starring Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson has in common with the rest of the franchise is the theme song and character names — and this new promo makes sure you know it.

The series kicks off with the white leader of Hondo’s S.W.A.T. team accidentally shooting a black teenager during a foot chase. Hondo gets promoted over the next in line, Jay Harrington’s David “Deacon” Kay, in an effort to ease the racial tension between the cops and the community.

That the show — from Southland‘s Aaron Thomas, The Shield‘s Shawn Ryan, and Justin Lin of Fast & Furious — would tackle the real issues facing the country today is the reason Moore signed on.

“Let’s keep it 100: There’s a lot of distrust, there’s a lot of confusion, there’s a lot of unsatisfaction, there’s a lot of fear between us, the civilians, and what’s going on with the men and women in blue,” Moore said during a BUILD Series NYC interview Thursday. “Do we trust them? Is it fair? Black lives matter. Are black kids getting shot for the wrong reasons? Are people spending too much time worrying about Black Lives Matter? And there’s white people who feel they’re not heard. S.W.A.T. is the Trump years without talking about Trump.

“On this show, we don’t care who you voted for, we’re just talking about what’s happening now. … There are bad and there are good police offers, and there are bad and there are good us — and that’s just what it is. Are we gonna fix all that? No. But can we bridge the gap of understanding and patience, and can maybe we broaden our thinking, broaden our minds, so that there is a little more unity, a little more harmony? That’s the hope. That’s the wish. All while having a bunch of fun.”

Speaking of fun, we had some fun as Moore discussed how he once joked that he played “the most sexually deprived person” on TV with Malcolm Winters of The Young and the Restless‘s Malcolm Winters and Derek Morgan of Criminal Minds. Brace yourselves, baby girls: That S.W.A.T. promo also makes it clear that Hondo is sleeping with his superior, Jessica Cortez (Stephanie Sigman), the captain of L.A. Metro.

“S.W.A.T. is not about Hondo’s sex life and all that,” Moore said, “but there’s more to that relationship than just Hondo got a girlfriend. There’s stakes, there’s a secret, there’s a lot of risk in that relationship. That relationship means something. It’s not just Hondo got a girl and he thinks she’s hot and she thinks he’s hot. It’s much deeper than that. It’s much more poignant than that. And that’ll show itself as the show goes on.”

S.W.A.T. premieres Nov. 2 at 10 p.m. on CBS.

Read more from Yahoo Entertainment:
‘Star Trek: Discovery’: Rainn Wilson on playing the mischievous Harry Mudd
Ricky Gervais talks two new TV series, new Sirius show, possible ‘Office’ reboot
‘Stranger Things’ and Eggo: No product placement required