S.W.A.T. fans had a tumultuous time last year when CBS canceled the series only to reverse its decision days later, in part thanks to an impassioned plea from star Shemar Moore. Now, viewers are enjoying what they thought was the final season—only that turned out not to be the case, either, as the show has been renewed for a surprise Season 8. Must be a hit!
With that in mind, here’s everything you need to know about S.W.A.T. Season 7, which is now airing, including cast updates.
What is S.W.A.T. about?
S.W.A.T. is a CBS series about a Special Weapons and Tactics team, centering around its leader, LAPD Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson (Moore). Sergeant Harrelson is a lifelong L.A. local and former Marine whose loyalty to his community and law enforcement is constantly at odds.
Was S.W.A.T. canceled? Will there be a Season 7?
S.W.A.T. had been canceled—twice! But it will return for Season 8.
The backstory: CBS initially canceled the series at the end of its sixth season on May 5, 2023. A day later, series star Shemar Moore posted a video on Instagram blasting the decision.
In the video, Moore said in part, “CBS, when I got hired to be Hondo on S.W.A.T., was getting a lot of flak for lack of diversity. If I post this, and I think I might, I will get in a lot of trouble with CBS because I’m calling them out. Because they’ve been wonderful to me for 26 out of my 29-year career. But to abruptly get told that you’re canceled when you led us to believe last week—and the week before, and the week before that—that we would have some semblance of a Season 7 to at least say goodbye, if not continue. And to abruptly be told, ‘You’re done.’”
Moore continued, moving his concerns toward the cast and crew, “I care about my family. My crew. The writers, the producers, the caterers, the wardrobe, the sound mixers, the teamsters, the construction crew, a whole lot of people that are abruptly being told that ‘You don’t matter. Sorry, thank you for your services. Good luck and find a new job.’ And to me, that’s not okay.’ I will be fine, but I’m upset because I busted my whole entire ass to prove that I could do this, and I did prove that I could do this. I understand it’s not personal, it’s business, but I still have faith that S.W.A.T. will live to see another day.”
He ended the video with a call-to-action for fans of the series. “So I’m asking my homies, my fans and my baby girls, and the rest of the world who follow me or follow the show, follow the cast, my brothers and my sisters: Make some f—ing noise. And let them know that canceling S.W.A.T. is a f—ing mistake.”
The call-to-action appeared to have been successful, as just two days later, on May 8, CBS reversed course and renewed the show for a seventh and final season consisting of 13 episodes.
Amy Reisenbach, president, CBS Entertainment, and Katherine Pope, president, Sony Pictures Television Studios, said in a joint statement, “We have listened to our viewers and their outpouring of passion for S.W.A.T. and we have reached an agreement to renew it for a final season of 13 episodes to air during the 2023-2024 broadcast year.”
Then, on April 11, 2024, CBS reversed that decision, too, opting instead to renew the show for Season 8.
“S.W.A.T. IS BACK! BELIEVE IN MIRACLES! I am so proud of this show and the people and variables it has taken to make this show what it is and has become,” Moore said. “I am so grateful to the fans around the world who have supported, watched, enjoyed and rooted for S.W.A.T.! It is entirely because of this support that S.W.A.T. will continue to shine! This is still a dream job for me … I love my S.W.A.T. crew, cast and writers and producers – we have made an incredible, fun, exciting, provocative and heartwarming show for the world to enjoy. Thank you to CBS and SONY for believing in S.W.A.T. and giving us this opportunity to shine!”
What happened at the end of S.W.A.T. Season 6?
The Season 6 finale of S.W.A.T. centered around a Mexican cartel leader, Sancho Zamora, who was going after the DEA and LAPD, holding them responsible for the death of his son Ulan.
Two potential cartel targets were meant to go into protective custody but ended up getting captured by Sancho. Officers Luca and Street were conned into entering a trap, leading Hondo to call Sancho and inform him that he was the one who murdered his son. Street and one of the other targets were saved, however Luca was captured by Sancho. Luckily, Hondo and his trusty team was able to arrive in time to save him and arrest Sancho.
The episode ended on a poignant note as Hondo proposed to Nichelle—and she accepted, of course!
Who is cast in Season 7 of S.W.A.T.?
The main cast returned for the seventh season of the series, but there have been shakeups. Both Alex Russell, who plays Jim Street, and Kenny Johnson, who plays Dominique Luca, were written out in what was supposed to be the final season. It remains to be seen whether or not Jay Harrington will be exiting the show as his character Deacon had discussed retiring but that may have changed with Luca’s departure.
Shemar Moore as Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson Jr.
Alex Russell as Officer James “Jim” Street
Russell was moved from series regular to recurring status for the final 13 episodes of the cop drama. His last episode aired March 8.
Kenny Johnson as Officer Dominique Luca
Like Russell, Johnson was moved from series regular to recurring status for the final 13 episodes of the cop drama.
His character will be forced to retire. The bullets he faced in the season didn’t kill him, but one of them caused serious nerve damage in his dominant shoulder and he will never again be able to properly hold a weapon. So, he had to make the choice: Stay with the LAPD and do office work or retire. It was a truly difficult, emotional decision for Luca, because he was born and bred to be part of the LAPD in action as a S.W.A.T. officer.
David Lim as Officer Victor Tan
Patrick St. Esprit as Commander Robert “Bob” Hicks
Rochelle Aytes as Nichelle Carmichael
Jay Harrington as Sergeant David “Deacon” Kay
Anna Enger Ritch as Zoe Powell
Ritch, who first joined the show in Season 5, was promoted to series regular for the final stretch of the series.
What was the release date for Season 7 of S.W.A.T.?
S.W.A.T. Season 7 premiered Friday, Feb, 16, 2024 at 8 p.m. ET.
When is the S.W.A.T. Season 7 finale airing?
S.W.A.T. will air its Season 7 finale on Friday, May 17 at 8 p.m. ET.
Is Season 7 the last season of S.W.A.T.?
Nope! S.W.A.T. got a surprise pickup for Season 8.
How many episodes will be in S.W.A.T. Season 7?
There will be 13 episodes in the show’s seventh season.
How to watch S.W.A.T.
S.W.A.T. airs on Fridays at 8 p.m. ET on CBS. New episodes are available to watch the following day on the CBS app and website as well as on Paramount+. Fans can catch up on the previous six seasons on Paramount+ now.
S.W.A.T. Season 7 episode guide
S.W.A.T. Season 7, Episode 1 — “The Promise”
Logline: “The team heads to Mexico City to retrieve a fugitive who slipped from Hondo’s grasp 10 years ago. But when things go awry, old wounds are reopened and Hondo is once again on the killer’s trail, desperate to fulfill a decade-old promise.”
S.W.A.T. Season 7, Episode 2 — “Peace Talks”
Logline: “Hondo and Hicks desperately search for Powell, who’s gone missing in Mexico City along with a thermobaric bomb capable of killing thousands; Deacon’s pride gets injured in a boxing match with Rocker.”
S.W.A.T. Season 7, Episode 3 — “Good for Nothing”
Logline: “The squad leaps into action when Yakuza assassins descend on L.A., targeting a number of mysterious Japanese ex-pats; Nichelle finds her job on the line when a colleague accuses her of taking bribes.”
S.W.A.T. Season 7, Episode 4 — “Spare Parts”
Logline: “A Chilean arms dealer kidnaps a woman and her daughter; crossing paths with his brother, Tan is forced to come clean to his family about his divorce from Bonnie; Hondo discovers that Hicks has received a job offer that could lure him away.”
S.W.A.T. Season 7, Episode 5 — “End of the Road”
Logline: “Street discovers a biker club has stolen a cache of armor-piercing bullets and they intend to pull off a daring and deadly heist; Hondo struggles with changes at work; Nichelle finds herself at odds with a former colleague.”
S.W.A.T. Season 7, Episode 6 — “Escape”
Logline: “After a prison transport van overturns, Hondo and the team hunt down three female fugitives, including a serial killer on the verge of a rampage; with Annie’s return to work, Deacon struggles to maintain a work-life balance.”
S.W.A.T. Season 7, Episode 7 — “Last Call”
Logline: After the shocking shooting of a member of 20-Squad, Hondo and the team launch a citywide manhunt for the robbery crew responsible; Deacon’s plans for his future hit a snag; Powell and Alfaro clash over a tricky issue.”