After eight seasons, over 160 episodes, and a dedicated global fanbase, S.W.A.T. has reached its series finale—at least for now. Actor David Lim, who portrayed Officer Victor Tan since the show’s debut, joined the *Actors With Issues* podcast to reflect on the show’s legacy, his unconventional start in the industry, and the fight to keep the story going. With equal parts humility and passion, Lim shares how hard work, a willingness to learn, and meaningful representation shaped his career and his character.
Discovering a New Dream
Before captivating audiences as Officer Victor Tan on CBS’s S.W.A.T., David Lim had a much different plan for his life. Born and raised in California, Lim earned a degree in engineering and worked as a loan officer for three years. But something shifted. “I wasn’t feeling challenged at my job,” he recalled. “I felt like I was meant to do something different, and just greater than what I was doing.”
With no background in entertainment, Lim took a leap of faith—Googling how to break into acting. “I taught myself from the ground up. I got some headshots, submitted them to agents, got into an acting class, and started doing indie student projects.” That bold pivot, backed by a relentless work ethic, led him to move to Los Angeles in 2009. “It wasn’t always my dream,” Lim admitted, “but it became my dream—to see if I could find success in this industry.”
Breaking Into the Business—and Breaking Stereotypes
Lim’s first major TV role came as a recurring character on *Quantico*, which required an immediate cross-country move. “Three days after I booked it, I moved to New York,” he said. “My girlfriend at the time—now my wife—came with me. I’d always wanted to live in Manhattan.”
That experience not only jump-started his career but also built the foundation for what would come next. “I was probably the least experienced of the cast,” he said, “so I was just watching, learning, picking people’s brains. I worked with Russell Tovey a lot—phenomenal actor, and we became buds.”
Years later, S.W.A.T. offered Lim a rare opportunity, not just a long-running series, but a platform to break barriers. “That was one of my goals, selfishly, I thought maybe I could change the narrative around how Asian males are portrayed on TV,” he said. “Tan is a positive representation. He gets the girl, he’s in the action, he’s a leader.”
Lim recalled that the character of Victor Tan first appeared in the pilot and was only meant to recur for six episodes. “It turned into 163. Everything I ever wanted to do when I got into this industry was right here in this beautiful role,” Lim said.
Eight Seasons, Family Bonds, and the Fight to Continue
When CBS recently announced S.W.A.T. would not return for a ninth season, fans and cast alike were heartbroken. “We thought we were in a great position to continue. It felt like a bit of a reboot! We had new cast members, new energy,” he explained.
That initial heartbreak quickly transformed into gratitude. “Very quickly for me, and a lot of us, it turned to gratitude, just for getting to go on this ride of eight years,” Lim shared. “These people became my family. You spend this much time together, they become your brothers and sisters.”
Still, the feeling that the journey isn’t over lingers. “It felt like maybe there’s a little magic left. It doesn’t feel like this is quite finished,” Lim said. And thanks to co-star Shemar Moore’s public campaigning and over 70,000 fan petition signatures, conversations about continuing the show elsewhere are happening behind the scenes.
Mentorship, Representation, and Words of Wisdom
Working alongside industry veterans like Patrick St. Esprit and Shemar Moore proved invaluable to Lim. “Patrick has been a huge mentor to me,” he said. “You learn so much just by running lines with someone who’s been in the industry 45 years. That’s stuff you can’t learn in a book.”
Lim also acknowledged how the writers of S.W.A.T. incorporated elements of his real life into the show. “They really start to write for you. They draw things from your life,” he explained, referencing a moment in the series that nods to his engineering background.
Looking ahead, Lim hopes to keep pushing boundaries. “I hope to continue doing roles that are positive role models and that continue to break down barriers.” As for advice to young actors? “Learn your craft. Put in the work. Dream big. Anything’s possible.”
You can watch our full interview with David Lim above, on our YouTube channel, or tune in on your favorite podcast platform and binge S.W.A.T. on Paramount+
ADDENDUM…
Since our interview with David Lim, CBS announced the greenlight for a new spin-off series, S.W.A.T.: Exiles, which will see the return of Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson training a group of rookies. This, unfortunately, meant that none of the previous’ series stars would be returning, much to the chagrin of fans and the actors themselves. David was vocal in his disappointment with the announcement just days after the series finale.
“I’d be lying if I said the rollout of the new spinoff didn’t sting. It was tough to see it announced just two days after our finale — with no mention of the cast who helped build S.W.A.T. from day one. After 8 incredible seasons, it felt like we were brushed aside when there could’ve been a moment of reflection and recognition — for the people who built this show, and for the impact it had on so many.”
We certainly hold out hope that they will be asked to return in some capacity to honor their time on the beloved series and dedication to fans.
