S.W.A.T. season 8 is making changes to its cast, as new character details are revealed ahead of the show’s return. Although it was initially planned to end with its seventh installment, CBS reversed course earlier this year and confirmed that S.W.A.T. season 8 would be happening after all. But along with that confirmation, there will be a few arrivals and departures among the ensemble.
Deadline reports that S.W.A.T. season 8 will welcome Chicago Fire actor Annie Ilonzeh in a recurring capacity. Ilonzeh, who played Emily Foster on NBC’s One Chicago shows, is playing Devin Gamble. In another shift, Niko Pepaj has been upgraded to a main cast member for the upcoming episodes. Pepaj has portrayed Miguel Alfaro since season 6, appearing in 12 episodes overall, but he’ll now be a regular presence.
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According to a description of the character, Gamble was born into a family that’s deeply entrenched in crime. The Los Angeles family has led her to cultivate a desire to break free of her past. Gamble believed she achieved her goal by becoming a standout rookie in the LAPD. But then her father’s arrest, for what’s described as a “heinous crime”, caused her to leave Los Angeles and join the Oakland police department. Hondo (Shemar Moore) has brought Gamble back, knowing she’ll be an important part of his new team.
As for Miguel Alfaro, the character initially had issues with Jim Street (Alex Russell) but soon adjusted to helping the team. The character’s increased presence follows a storyline in which Hondo was given permission to add two members to his squad. But it also happens as S.W.A.T. season 8 will be missing out on some familiar faces, including Street.
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Street and Kenny (Dominique Luca) were both written off during S.W.A.T. season 7, though both characters remain alive and could return as guests. Rochelle Aytes, who plays Hondo’s wife Nichelle, is also exiting as a series regular and moving on to a new role in the upcoming CBS series Watson. But the hope is that she’ll still be able to appear in a recurring capacity. But in any case, the surprise eighth season will look a little different.
