Turns out reports of “S.W.A.T’s” cancellation have been greatly exaggerated. CBS has renewed the cop drama for Season 8 despite announcing its seventh season would be its last nearly a year ago.
The latest drama marks the second time “S.W.A.T” has technically escaped cancellation, with CBS initially axing the show before announcing it would return for one last run. The original decision to cancel “S.W.A.T” came down to licensing fees. After Sony and CBS were unable to come to terms in 2023, the show was canceled, but they eventually worked out the deal for a final season with a reduced episode count.
“Here at CBS, we always ‘stay liquid’ and love a good dramatic twist, especially when it leads to an eighth season of ‘S.W.A.T.!,’” said Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment. “The show continues to resonate with viewers thanks to our talented cast led by Shemar Moore and our amazing writers and producers who keep the show relevant and action-packed. We’re very pleased to renew it again and incredibly grateful to our partners at Sony, CBS Studios and Shemar for working so closely with us to bring it back for next season.”
“S.W.A.T” is based on the series of the same name created by Robert Hamner that ran on ABC for one season from 1975 to 1976. Shemar Moore stars as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, a S.W.A.T. sergeant tasked to run a specialized tactical unit that is the last stop in law enforcement in Los Angeles.
“It’s a privilege to get to deliver more ‘S.W.A.T.’ stories to our incredible fans. This season eight pickup is a testament to our showrunner Andy Dettmann, Shemar Moore, the rest of our talented cast and our dedicated crew who continue to produce television that resonates with so many people,” said executive producer and co-showrunner Shawn Ryan. “We’re grateful to CBS, Sony Pictures Television and CBS Studios for the opportunity.”
The cast also includes Jay Harrington, David Lim, Patrick St. Esprit, Rochelle Aytes, and Anna Enger Ritch. It returned for its seventh season in its Friday timeslot on February 16 for what was meant to be an abbreviated 13-episode run. Per CBS, the show is delivering an average of 8.8 million viewers an episode in multiplatform viewing.
“All of us at ‘S.W.A.T.’ are thrilled by the news of a season eight. Shemar and I had many conversations throughout the production of season seven, confident that if we continued to tell great stories punctuated by ‘SWAT’s’ signature action, our amazing fans would stay with us, giving us a good shot at another season,” said Andrew Dettmann, co-showrunner and executive producer. “At the end of the day, this is the well-deserved payoff for all the time, energy and effort put in by an incredible cast and crew working with the constant support of our partners at Sony Pictures Television and everyone at CBS. We look forward to an exciting season eight.”
“’S.W.A.T.’ IS BACK! BELIEVE IN MIRACLES!” Moore said. I am so proud of this show and the people and variables it has taken to make this show what it is and has become. I am so grateful to the fans around the world who have supported, watched, enjoyed and rooted for ‘S.W.A.T.!’ It is entirely because of this support that ‘S.W.A.T.’ will continue to shine! This is still a dream job for me … I love my ‘S.W.A.T.’ crew, cast and writers and producers – we have made an incredible, fun, exciting, provocative and heartwarming show for the world to enjoy. Thank you to CBS and Sony for believing in ‘S.W.A.T.’ and giving us this opportunity to shine!”
Shawn Ryan, Andrew Dettmann, Justin Lin, Neal H. Moritz, Marney Hochman, Pavun Shetty, Billy Gierhart, Moore, and James Scura serve as executive producers. Ryan and Dettmann serve as co-showrunners. “S.W.A.T.” is produced by Sony Pictures Television in association with CBS Studios.
“Led by the unstoppable Shemar Moore, ‘S.W.A.T.’ has captivated viewers since its premiere in 2017, and with every renewal, we are amazed at how passionate and dedicated the fans of this show are,” said Katherine Pope, president of Sony Pictures Television Studios. “Thank you to Amy Reisenbach and our partners at CBS for continuing to believe in the show and the incredible work of the cast and crew. Everyone here at Sony Pictures Television is so proud of the world that Shawn, Aaron, Andy and the entire ‘S.W.A.T.’ team have created, and we congratulate them on coming back for another year. Roll ‘SWAT!’”
