EXCLUSIVE: S.W.A.T. is gearing up for an exciting Season 8 with some major casting updates. Niko Pepaj, who portrays Officer Miguel Alfaro, has been promoted to series regular, making him a permanent member of the 20-Squad. Pepaj’s character has been a fan favorite since his introduction, and now he’s set to take on a more prominent role as the action-packed series continues.
In addition to Pepaj’s promotion, Annie Ilonzeh will join the cast in a recurring role as Devin Gamble. Gamble is a tough, determined officer who grew up in a family deeply involved in crime in Los Angeles. Despite her best efforts to leave that legacy behind, she was pulled back into the criminal underworld when her father was arrested for a heinous act. After a decade working for the Oakland PD, Hondo (played by Shemar Moore) recruits her to join the elite S.W.A.T. team, recognizing her inner strength and street smarts as invaluable assets.
The eighth season of S.W.A.T., inspired by the original 1970s TV show and the 2003 feature film, follows Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, a Marine veteran who leads the S.W.A.T. unit in Los Angeles. His character struggles to balance his loyalty to the streets he grew up on with his duty as a law enforcement officer, often finding himself at the intersection of community and police.
These casting changes come after a tumultuous period for the show, which faced an unexpected cancellation and later un-cancellation, leaving fans and the cast in suspense. Season 7 saw the departure of fan-favorites Kenny Johnson and Alex Russell, while Rochelle Aytes, who plays Hondo’s wife Nichelle, will return in a limited capacity as she takes on a new role in CBS’s upcoming series Watson.
Returning cast members for Season 8 include Jay Harrington, David Lim, Patrick St. Esprit, and Anna Enger Ritch. The series is executive produced by Shawn Ryan, Andrew Dettmann, Justin Lin, Neal H. Moritz, and Shemar Moore.
Pepaj, who first appeared in Season 6, has previously been seen on shows like The Rookie and How to Get Away with Murder. Ilonzeh, known for her role as Emily Foster on NBC’s Chicago Fire, brings a wealth of experience to S.W.A.T., including appearances in films like Peppermint and All Eyez on Me.
Season 8 of S.W.A.T. promises to deliver even more high-stakes action and compelling character dynamics as the team continues to face some of the toughest cases in Los Angeles. Fans can look forward to seeing Pepaj and Ilonzeh in action when the show returns on October 18.
