Rochelle Aytes is set to make a major shift between CBS shows. The actress will be leaving her role as a series regular on the network’s hit procedural S.W.A.T. to co-star with Morris Chestnut in the upcoming medical drama Watson, according to Deadline. While Aytes will no longer be a regular on S.W.A.T., there is hope that she might return in a recurring capacity for Season 8.
TVLine has reached out to CBS for confirmation of Aytes’ departure from S.W.A.T.
In S.W.A.T., Aytes has portrayed Nichelle Carmichael, the wife of Hondo (played by Shemar Moore). After first appearing in a recurring role in Season 3, she became a full-time cast member in Season 6.
Season 7 of S.W.A.T., initially believed to be the series’ final season, saw the demotion of original cast members Kenny Johnson (Luca) and Alex Russell (Street) as their characters were written out before the finale. Even after the show’s surprise renewal, showrunner Andrew Dettman expressed doubt about their return as series regulars.
On the new show Watson, Aytes will play Dr. Mary Morstan, Watson’s ex-wife and a highly skilled surgeon at the same hospital where he works. Described as both a voice of reason and a reality check for Watson, her character will add a complex dynamic to the modern reimagining of the Sherlock Holmes universe, where Watson returns to medicine following Holmes’ death at the hands of Moriarty.
