Lina Esco (from Kingdom) and Kenny Johnson (known for Bates Motel) have landed series-regular roles alongside Shemar Moore and Stephanie Sigman in CBS’s drama pilot S.W.A.T. This exciting project is executive produced by Shawn Ryan, the creator of The Shield, along with Neal H. Moritz, Justin Lin, and Aaron Rahsaan Thomas.
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Written by Thomas and directed by Lin, S.W.A.T. draws inspiration from the 2003 film. It follows Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson (played by Moore), a locally born S.W.A.T. lieutenant. Hondo grapples with his loyalties to both the streets and his fellow officers as he leads an elite unit responsible for tackling some of Los Angeles’s toughest crimes. The cast also features Stephanie Sigman.
Esco takes on the role of Chris, a skilled officer who remains calm under pressure despite feeling unsettled by a sudden leadership change. For Chris, the mission always comes first, and she focuses on the task at hand rather than dwelling on negatives.
Johnson portrays Luca, the team’s expert driver and combat officer. He thrives on the excitement of the job and brings an infectious enthusiasm behind the wheel. Luca is known for his unwavering obedience, a vital trait in such a high-stakes team environment.
Moore is not just starring in the series but also serves as a producer. The pilot is a collaborative effort from Thomas, Ryan, and Marney Hochman of MiddKid Productions, along with Moritz and Pavun Shetty of Original Films, Lin, and Danielle Woodrow of Perfect Storm Entertainment. The project is co-produced by Sony Pictures TV and CBS TV Studios.
Esco is recognized for her role as Ava on Audience Network’s Kingdom and has recently appeared in Flaked. She is represented by CAA and Luber Roklin Entertainment.
This role marks a reunion for Johnson and Ryan, as they previously collaborated on The Shield. Johnson has also been a series regular on A&E’s Bates Motel and ABC’s Secrets and Lies, and he appeared alongside Anthony Hopkins in the thriller Solace as well as in Check Point. He is represented by Innovative Artists, Luber Roklin Entertainment, and attorney Neil Meyer.
