📢 What’s the Big News?
Season 8 Is Actually Happening — For Now
Although S.W.A.T. faced cancellation TWICE before, CBS greenlit Season 8 in April 2024 following a massive fan campaign and Moore’s strong social media efforts reddit.com+15tvinsider.com+15goodhousekeeping.com+15.
Mourning the End: Season 8 Is Final
CBS officially confirmed in March 2025 that Season 8 will be the last — wrapping up with a two-part finale in mid-Mayparade.com.
🎬 What Shemar Moore Shared
Reflecting on an Eight-Season Run
Moore expressed heartfelt sadness over the show’s end but took pride in the journey:
“My momma didn’t raise NO QUITTER!!! … I AM GRATEFUL n THANKFUL.”reddit.com+8cinemablend.com+8nypost.com+8thesun.co.uk
He praised the crew and cast for “defying the odds” through multiple cancellations and renewalsreddit.com+15reddit.com+15nypost.com+15.
Fighting for His Team
Moore took an active role in saving the show in 2023 via social media and fan movement. He celebrated the Season 8 renewal as a “lightning-in-a-bottle” moment tvinsider.com+8parade.com+8etonline.com+8.
Knees, Age & the Realities of Production
Acknowledging he’s 54, he joked:
“Everybody at S.W.A.T. wants season 13. I’m like, ‘talk to my knees.’”etonline.com+15tvinsider.com+15screenrant.com+15
He emphasized that while he’s proud of the show, he’s aware of the physical demands.
🧭 What Lies Ahead: The New Spinoff
Meet S.W.A.T. Exiles
Sony has announced a 10-episode spinoff, titled S.W.A.T. Exiles, set to air in summer 2025. Moore will reprise his role as Hondo, this time leading and training a team of Gen Z recruitsjustjared.com+6cinemablend.com+6reddit.com+6tvinsider.com+12cinemablend.com+12en.wikipedia.org+12.
🔍 Why Fans Are Freaking Out
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Emotional Rollercoaster: Multiple renewals, abrupt cancellations, and Moore’s candid front-line advocacy created high drama.
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Final Farewell: The end of Season 8 in May 2025 marks the close of a beloved era for many fans.
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Next Chapter Unease: Excitement around Exiles is mixed with nostalgia — some fans aren’t ready to say goodbye.
On Reddit, fans are expressing heartbreak, petitioning for renewals, and hoping for another save effortourmidland.comgoodhousekeeping.com+2cinemablend.com+2cinemablend.com+2.
📅 Key Timeline at a Glance
| Date | Event |
|---|---|
| Apr 2024 | CBS renews S.W.A.T. for Season 8 with 22 episodesgoodhousekeeping.com+8en.wikipedia.org+8people.com+8 |
| Oct 18, 2024 | Season 8 premieres on CBS |
| Mar 2025 | CBS confirms Season 8 will be the final season |
| May 16, 2025 | Series finale airs |
| Summer 2025 | S.W.A.T. Exiles spinoff begins filming |
🗣️ Final Take: End of an Era, Start of a New Chapter
Shemar Moore handled the rollercoaster season with dignity, passion, and gratitude. While the original S.W.A.T. wraps up after eight meaningful seasons, fans can look forward to Exiles — though many fans aren’t quite ready to transition.
🔭 5 FAQs About S.W.A.T. Season 8 & Beyond
Q1: Is Season 8 really the last?
Yes. CBS confirmed in March 2025 that Season 8 will be the final run through May 16screenrant.com+15cinemablend.com+15nypost.com+15ourmidland.com+15people.com+15en.wikipedia.org+15.
Q2: Why did CBS cancel the show so many times?
Mainly due to licensing negotiations with Sony and rising production costs — not ratings people.com+1reddit.com+1.
Q3: Will S.W.A.T. come back on a different network?
There’s no confirmed pickup yet. Moore appealed to Netflix, but nothing’s been finalizedcinemablend.com+3people.com+3parade.com+3.
Q4: What is S.W.A.T. Exiles about?
It follows Hondo leading and training a “last-chance experimental SWAT unit” of young recruits in a new spinoff seriesreddit.com+5en.wikipedia.org+5cinemablend.com+5.
Q5: When does S.W.A.T. Exiles start filming?
Production is set to begin in summer 2025 in Los Angeles en.wikipedia.org+1en.wikipedia.org+1.
