SWAT adds a main character for the final season. Created by Shawn Ryan, who is known for dramas like The Shield and The Night Agent, the Shemar Moore action procedural has been a big hit since its debut in 2017. The show, which follows Los Angeles Police Department Sergeant Hondo (Moore) and his unit, received greater attention with its availability on Netflix in the United States. Although the show was originally canceled, the decision for SWAT season 7 was reversed, which will be its last.
TVLine confirms that Anna Enger Ritch, who has played Zoe Powell since season 5, will be upgraded to a main cast member for SWAT season 7 after recurring heavily during season 6. Ritch, also known for her roles on NCIS: New Orleans and Chicago Med, revealed when she learned of the news in the quote below:
“There’s always gossip, but I did not get final confirmation until right before we started production, after the [WGA and SAG-AFTRA] strikes.”
How Zoe Powell Factors Into SWAT (& What She’s Doing Next)
In the final season’s debut episode, “The Promise,” Hondo, Hicks (Patrick St. Esprit), and Powell travel to Mexico City to grab a fugitive who Hondo lost a decade ago. However, Ritch teases that trouble will occur, with Hondo growing desperate to fulfill his long-held promise to find the killer.
Ritch has made 17 appearances in SWAT overall, with Powell first appearing in the season 5 installment “City Foul.” She’s first seen alongside S.W.A.T. recruits during a training session. An incident happened that required the recruits to immediately respond. For her part, Powell disobeyed orders and risked her life to protect civilians. Ultimately, however, she survived and was able to rescue someone else.
Though she was chastised by Hicks for her behavior, Powell ultimately graduated and joined the squad heading into the final episodes. Although the farewell outing will undoubtedly turn its focus to long-time characters, thirteen episodes of SWAT will also offer some space for newer characters like Powell to shine in the spotlight.
