‘S.W.A.T.’ Season 9: Is It Happening or Not? The Truth Behind CBS’s Next Big Decision

CBS’ procedural series S.W.A.T. has managed to survive two previous cancelations, but will the Shemar Moore-led show get renewed for season 9? Debuting in 2017, S.W.A.T. concerns the LAPD’s Twenty Squad, an elite task force that is led by Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson (Moore). Existing in the same universe as FX’s The Shield, CBS’ long-running hit offers a grittier program than the usual procedural, and highlights issues like race and police violence while still delivering plenty of typical network TV action. Moore has not only been the star and anchor of the show, but has helped get it renewed as well.

Despite nearing a full decade on the air, S.W.A.T.‘s cycle has not been smooth, and CBS canceled the show twice. The first came when it was announced that season 6 would be Twenty Squad’s final outing. However, a groundswell of support (led by Shemar Moore) prompted CBS to change their minds and bring back the show for its seventh and final season. CBS reversed course again after season 7, and opted to give S.W.A.T. another go. This left season 9 in limbo, since the network has neither announced season 8 as the last, or renewed it for more episodes.

S.W.A.T. Season 9 Latest News

An Update From The Show’s Producer

As the wait continues for the show to be renewed or axed, the latest news comes in the form of a cautious update from S.W.A.T.‘s producer. Shawn Ryan currently serves as an executive producer on the police procedural, and was previously the showrunner until season 7, but even he doesn’t have an answer regarding the show’s status. “It’s been called the final season the last three or four seasons, hasn’t it?” mused Ryan, before mentioning how “beloved” the series is within the ranks of the CBS executives, and the fanbase.

Despite Ryan’s confidence, and the show’s ongoing popularity, the producer was quick to point out that the process is still ongoing, and he isn’t sure if season 9 will happen. Ryan did specifically mention the current changing of the guard happening at CBS corporate, and he made it clear that he wasn’t certain what newcomer David Ellison would want to do with the show.

Read Shawn Ryan’s full comments here:

It’s been called the final season the last three or four seasons, hasn’t it?

The show I think is beloved in the executive ranks at CBS, the show is beloved by our audience. The show creatively, I’m happy and somewhat embarrassed to say, hasn’t dropped a step since I handed over the showrunning reins to Andy Dettman. But we also understand that a corporate change is happening in that world. I know David Ellison, I wrote a movie for him back in the day.

I don’t know what the plans are. I don’t know what the criteria for renewal is going to be. It seems like it could be much different than years past. I don’t know if it’s an advantage or disadvantage that we’re produced by an outside studio this year. I think economics are going to play into things, so it’s all uncertain, but we’re just going to continue to make the best show we can that our audience loves, and we’ll see where the chips fall. And that’s what we’ve done the last few seasons. We’re really proud of the legacy of that show.

S.W.A.T. Season 9 Is Not Confirmed

CBS Hasn’t Made A Decision About Season 9 Yet

Considering the show’s troubled history in recent years, it isn’t particularly surprising that CBS has neither confirmed nor denied S.W.A.T. season 9 yet. The network has waffled since season 6 regarding the fate of the procedural, and each reversed decision hasn’t reflected well on the channel. Though there are a host of reasons why season 6 was supposed to be the last, the success of each subsequent season has justified CBS’ choice to bring S.W.A.T. back. However, season 8 will be the real test.

Season 7’s renewal was a triumphant return after the shocking revelation that season 6 would conclude the show. As such, the shortened seventh season garnered impressive viewership, which prompted the network to make season 8 a reality as well. Now that CBS has green-lit a 22-episode season, it’s uncertain if S.W.A.T. will remain economically viable. Though the network hasn’t billed season 8 as the last, there’s no guarantee that it will get renewed for season 9.

S.W.A.T. Season 9 Cast Details

Will Twenty Squad Return Again?

Since the show’s initial “cancelation” after season 6, the cast of S.W.A.T. has been in flux. However, it’s impossible to know exactly who might be leaving the procedural until the entire scope of season 8 is known. With that in mind, it’s safe to assume that the entire main cast will be back, including Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson Jr., the team’s leader. Joining him will be Jay Harrington as David “Deacon” Kay, Hondo’s second-in-command. Kay was set to leave the team in season 7, but he decided not to retire after all.

Victor Tan (played by David Lim) is another shoo-in for season 9’s cast, and the established squad member is key to the group’s success. S.W.A.T. Commander Robert Hicks (Patrick St. Esprit) should also be back, though he and Hondo don’t always agree on how the team should be run. Rochelle Aytes’ Nichelle was reduced to a guest role in season 8, and it’s unclear if she’ll stick around without a larger part to play in the story.

The cast of S.W.A.T. season 9 should include:

Actor	S.W.A.T. Role
Shemar Moore	Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson Jr.
Jay Harrington	David “Deacon” Kay
David Lim	Victor Tan
Patrick St. Esprit	Robert Hicks
Anna Enger Ritch	Zoe Powell
Brigitte Kali Canales	Alexis Cabrera
Annie Ilonzeh	Devin Gamble
Niko Pepaj	Miguel Alfaro
Rochelle Aytes	Nichelle Carmichael

S.W.A.T. Season 9 Story Details

What’s Next For The Squad In Season 9?

Though any number of things could happen during the remaining episodes of season 8, it’s likely that S.W.A.T. season 9 will follow a similar pattern as its predecessors. The bulk of the show concerns the team facing a myriad of action-packed scenarios, and there’s no reason to think that will change going forward. Since season 8 of S.W.A.T. is not being billed as the last outing, it stands to reason that there won’t be much conclusiveness to the current season, meaning there is a world of possibilities open for season 9.