S.W.A.T. Flashback – Younger Version of Shemar Moore’s Character Cast

S.W.A.T. is going back in time — to the year 1992, to be exact. That’s when riots took place in Los Angeles over the verdict in the Rodney King trial. Shemar Moore’s character, Hondo Harrelson, was a teen at the time, and now, S.W.A.T. will look at that event through his eyes.

S.W.A.T. Flashes Back

According to TVLine, this episode was set to be the finale for Season 3 on April 29, the 28th anniversary of the riots. Now, this particular story will open up Season 4 and air later this fall (no premiere dates have been released). The show airs Wednesdays at 10 p.m. ET.

The story will intercut between present-day and the past when a teen Hondo and his father were experiencing the riots. The show will also touch upon a dangling storyline from Season 3 titled Diablo.

The version of Moore’s younger character will be played by Donald Dash (Rise, Blue Bloods, Bull, and Law & Order: SVU.) Hondo’s father, played in present time by Obba Babatundé (a Daytime Emmy winner for his role as Julius Avant on The Bold and the Beautiful), will be played in scenes that take place in 1992 by Rico E. Anderson, who has played the younger version of the senior Harrelson in the past. His other credits include Quibi’s #FreeRayshawn and Apple TV+’s Truth Be Told.

Babatunde told Soap Hub earlier this year how much he enjoys working with Moore. “It’s interesting because we’ve almost become like father and son [off-screen],” Babatundé says. “He calls me ‘Pops.’ I enjoy being on the show and particularly working with Shemar. We have a connection that shows through in our work. I look forward to our ‘dancing’ together.

“At times, Hondo [Moore] is the dad and other times, Daniel Sr., my character, is the dad for Hondo,” the actor adds. “There’s a magical evolution that’s going on in our relationship. The fans seem to love it. And I’m having the time of my life on S.W.A.T.!”

Shemar Moore has worked steadily since exiting YR as Malcolm back in 2002. He was a series regular on the short-lived Birds of Prey in 2002 on The WB. He had a long run as Derek Morgan on Criminal Minds from 2005 to 2016. In 2017, he took on the role of Hondo on the reboot of S.W.A.T., which originally ran on ABC from 1974-75.

During his YR run, Moore won the Daytime Emmy for Outstanding Supporting Actor in a Drama Series in 1998. S.W.A.T. returns for Season 4 Wednesdays later this fall on CBS. Check local listings for airtimes.