All products and services featured are independently chosen by editors. However, Soaps.com may receive a commission on orders placed through its retail links, and the retailer may receive certain auditable data for accounting purposes.
As it turns out, Season 7 of S.W.A.T. wasn’t actually the last season. The CBS drama has been blessed with a second un-cancellation, but after several characters were written off, fans can’t help but wonder what Season 8 will look like and if the original cast will return. Keep reading for everything there is to know about Season 8 of S.W.A.T.
Related Story
So You Think You Can Dance Winner Predictions: The Contestant Who Could Take It all
Who’s in the S.W.A.T. Season 8 cast?
The cast for Season 8 has not yet been confirmed, but we know for sure that Shemar Moore will be back leading the 20-squad as Sergeant II Daniel “Hondo” Harelson. The Young and the Restless alum was instrumental in getting the show un-cancelled and he also serves as an executive producer. When CBS announced its decision to renew S.W.A.T. for Season 8, they specifically mentioned Moore. “Here at CBS, we always ‘stay liquid’ and love a good dramatic twist, especially when it leads to an eighth season of S.W.A.T.,” Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment, said in a statement at the time. “The show continues to resonate with viewers thanks to our talented cast led by Shemar Moore and our amazing writers and producers who keep the show relevant and action-packed. We’re very pleased to renew it again and incredibly grateful to our partners at Sony and CBS Studios and Shemar for working so closely with us to bring it back for next season.”
Several original cast members were written off in Season 7 to give their characters a “proper curtain call,” as showrunner Andrew Dettmann told TVLine ahead of the season premiere, and it’s unclear if they will be brought back for Season. 8. Alex Russell was the first to go, with his character, Jim Street, transferring over to the Long Beach Police Department to take on a leadership role with their S.W.A.T. team. A few episodes later, Kenny Johnson’s Dominque Luca was shot and injured in a burglary-gone-wrong, forcing him into early retirement. In Episode 8, Jay Harrington’s David “Deacon” Kay turned in his resignation to focus on his family,but he remained on the show for the entirety of the season to help out with the 20-squad’s transition.
Although Russell and Johnson’s status remains a mystery, we know for sure that Harrington will be back, as he was seen celebrating with his co-stars on set when they found out S.W.A.T. had been picked back up for Season 8. Moore also confirmed his return in a May 2o24 interview with Deadline. As for Russell and Johnson’s fate, he said: “It’s hard to say goodbye to a bunch of wonderful people.” Referencing the Season 5 departure of Lina Esco, who played Christina “Chris” Alonso, Moore added: “Alex Russell, Kenny Johnson and a couple of seasons back we lost Lina Esco … Change is hard; so now we have some OGs, myself as Hondo, Deacon [Jay Harrington], Hicks [Patrick St. Esprit], Tan [David Lim] and some newbies. But regarding those people that you miss, nobody died. And in the world of Hollywood, anything can happen.”
When is S.W.A.T. Season 8’s premiere date?
The exact premiere date for Season 8 of S.W.A.T. has not yet been announced, as of this writing. However, CBS has confirmed that it will return in the fall of 2024, along with fellow dramas Fire Country, NCIS, NCIS: Sydney, Trackerand all three members of theFBI franchise. It’s unclear of S.W.A.T.will remain in its 7/8c time slot, but with the second-half of Blue Bloods’ final season set to air in the fall and Fire Country returning for Season 3, we suspect that CBS’ Friday night lineup won’t change much.
How many episodes are inS.W.A.T. Season 8?
CBS has ordered a full-season run that will consist of 22 episodes, which is up from Season 7’s 13-episode season. The reduced episode count for Season 7 was mainly due to negotiations with Sony over licensing fees and the after-effect of the dual Hollywood strikes.
Episodes of S.W.A.T. can be streamed on Paramount+.
Check out our photo gallery on all theprimetime stars who got their start on soaps.
FAQs
Deacon plans to retire, but is front and center in season 7 and will remain part of the team. Deacon's return in S.W.A.T. season 8 follows two other exits. Street and Luca could return in S.W.A.T.
Who is returning for S.W.A.T. season 8? ›
Jay Harrington's character, Deacon, will return in S.W.A.T. season 8 despite his retirement storyline. The show was initially canceled after six seasons but was renewed for a seventh and eighth season. Showrunner Dettman assures fans that the signature action of S.W.A.T. will continue in season 8.
What happened to Luca on the SWAT season 7 finale? ›
Hondo's team of course sustained some setbacks over the course of Season 7, with Street leaving to lead the Long Beach SWAT team, Luca retiring after suffering a career-ending injury, and Deacon also planning to retire, as part of agreement he made with wife Annie.
Who is the new girl on SWAT season 7? ›
Casting. On January 25, 2024, it was announced that Anna Enger Ritch, after recurring for the past two seasons, would be upgraded to a regular for the seventh season.
Why is Street not in SWAT season 7? ›
“There are some really good episodes for [Street].” Street was not featured in the first two episodes of Season 7, but fans quickly learned that he was off working with the Long Beach S.W.A.T.
Do Hondo and Jessica get back together? ›
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.
Who is not returning to swat? ›
Two original SWAT cast members, Kenneth "Kenny" Johnson and Alex Russell, barely appeared in season 7. The renewal of SWAT season 7 was confirmed after negotiations, but Johnson and Russell will not return for season 8. SWAT season 7 premiered on February 16, 2024.
Is Deacon leaving SWAT in 2024? ›
Harrington also seemed to confirm that he wasn't leaving S.W.A.T. in an interview with TV Insider before the Season 7 finale in May 2024.
Who is the new female agent on Swat? ›
Jessica Camacho: Jackie Vasquez.
Why was Luca killed on SWAT? ›
Worry not, fans. Although Luca sustained multiple gunshot wounds, he did survive the onslaught. The bad news: a doctor's phone call several weeks later said he had irreversible nerve damage from a wound to his shoulder. That meant he couldn't pass the physical for duty.
He told Hondo that he decided with his wife Annie that it was time for him to leave S.W.A.T. and spend more time at home.
Does Luca quit SWAT? ›
For its seventh and final season, 'S.W.A.T. ' is retiring the character of Dominique Luca and Kenny Johnson shares his feelings with Parade about his role coming to an end.
Who left SWAT season 7? ›
Season 7 Episode 2 “Peace Talks.”] S.W.A.T. is temporarily down two of its members in its final season, with original cast members Kenny Johnson (Dominique Luca) and Alex Russell (Jim Street) no longer series regulars and now recurring.
What happened to Powell on SWAT season 7? ›
After she discovers that Bautista has the stolen bomb, she is taken by surprise and strangled. If Powell was anyone else, it would have been likely that the character was dead. Instead, the fact that Powell is now considered a regular cast member will protect her from any true ramifications. S.W.A.T.
Who is Kay D in SWAT season 7? ›
Shemar Moore leads the cast as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, Jay Harrington stars as David “Deacon” Kay, David Lim is Victor Tan, Rochelle Aytes is Nichelle Carmichael, and Patrick St. Esprit is Robert 'Bob' Hicks.
Is Deacon leaving SWAT season 7 finale spoilers? ›
Hondo was able to see that his father was always proud of him despite how he feels about police and reception of his big save mends some difficult feelings from within the Black community. Deacon decided to not retire and Alfaro (Niko Pepaj) decided to join the team after ending his clash with Tan (David Lim).
Who's leaving SWAT in 2024? ›
Two original SWAT cast members, Kenneth "Kenny" Johnson and Alex Russell, barely appeared in season 7. The renewal of SWAT season 7 was confirmed after negotiations, but Johnson and Russell will not return for season 8. SWAT season 7 premiered on February 16, 2024.
Is Deacon really leaving SWAT? ›
Jay Harrington, who plays David “Deacon” Kay, seemed to confirm that he wasn't leaving S.W.A.T. in an Instagram post in April 2024 celebrating the series' Season 8 renewal and uncancellation. “SEASON 8 is official!!! can't thank @swatcbs fans enough!!!
Who replaces Hondo in Swat? ›
Sanchez ultimately takes up the security job and parts with SWAT on better terms, even wishing Hondo luck on dealing with the commission. Hicks then decides to reappoint Hondo as the team leader, having been moved by Hondo's principles and willing to take a stand against the commission's increasingly malicious conduct.
