Why Did Captain Cortez Really Leave S.W.A.T.? Explained

Over six seasons, the SWAT main cast has remained relatively the same aside from a couple of exits, including Stephanie Sigman’s season 2 exit from the role of Captain Cortez on SWAT. Cortez was introduced in the pilot as the Commanding Officer of the LAPD Metropolitan Division and as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson Jr.’s romantic partner. The series began with Hondo’s promotion to team leader of a SWAT team after the former boss shot and killed an unarmed Black teenager, so Hondo and Cortez’s secret relationship became even more complicated.

As SWAT went on, it became more difficult to keep their relationship a secret, and after the commissioner caught Hondo and Cortez, they broke up. Despite being in love with each other, Hondo and Cortez wanted to prioritize their careers. Sadly, they were never able to officially rekindle their relationship by the time Cortez left SWAT after the season 2 finale. Though SWAT has survived cancelation and continues to be a popular series, Sigman’s Cortez never returned.

Stephanie Sigman Left SWAT Amicably

The Show Saw Cortez Move To The FBI

At the end of the SWAT season 2 finale, Cortez accepted a five-week FBI undercover assignment to temporarily escape the Los Angeles Police Department. However, when season 3 premiered, the series revealed that Cortez’s temporary leave was permanent. After the assignment, the FBI offered Cortez a long-term position, effectively ending her tenure as a captain in the LAPD. However, Sigman’s exit from SWAT wasn’t fraught with drama – the split was amicable.

Similar to why Lina Esco left SWAT, Sigman exited the CBS procedural series to explore other opportunities. Since leaving the show, Sigman has starred in Potato, a podcast series, voiced Abuelita in Royal Crackers, and stars in an upcoming film titled Murder City, set to premiere in 2023. Plus, the actor gave birth to her and her husband’s first child in 2019, a few months after Sigman’s exit from SWAT.

How Stephanie Sigman’s Cortez Departure Effected SWAT

After Sigman departed SWAT, the show introduced Lieutenant Piper Lynch, played by Amy Farrington, during the season 3 premiere. The mayor appointed her as a tactical consultant to Hondo’s SWAT team, where her ideas constantly conflicted with the crew’s way of doing things. Even though Piper didn’t directly replace Cortez as the Commanding Officer, Farrington filled the series regular hole that Sigman left after she exited the show. However, in the long run, Piper did little to influence the story, and she quietly left SWAT in season 4.

Meanwhile, Hondo moved on from his relationship with Cortez and started dating Nichelle Carmichael after meeting her in season 3. They had an on-and-off romance for a while before Nichelle became pregnant with Hondo’s baby in the season 5 finale. Nichelle gave birth to their daughter, Vivian, in season 6, and they became engaged during the finale. As SWAT returns for season 7, the show and its characters have managed to move on from Cortez’s exit.

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