The upcoming S.W.A.T season 7 gets an uncertain update about the return of an original cast member. Based on Robert Hamner’s 1975 TV series of the same name, the CBS procedural action drama, which premiered in 2017, follows Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson (Shemar Moore), an LA native who leads the Los Angeles Police Department’s prestigious Special Weapons and Tactics division. Alongside Moore, the remaining cast includes Stephanie Sigman, Jay Harrington, Kenny Johnson, Alex Rusell, David Lim, and Lina Esco, who exited the show in season 5.
In a recent Q&A by TVLine before the release of S.W.A.T season 7, show producer and writer Andy Dettman revealed that he was unaware if Lina Esco would return as Chris for the final episodes. He, however, added that Esco has always remained a part of the S.W.A.T family even after she left, and it would be nice to have her back for the show’s finale. Read his full comments below:
[About Lina Esco’s return as Chris] “ I don’t know.”
“It’d be wonderful to bring everybody back. In our mind, Chris is very much a part of Street’s life, so if we can find a way to bring her back through, I’d love to. But I haven’t figured it out yet .”
Why Did Lina Esco Exit S.W.A.T?
Chris’ last appearance was in season 5.
Since S.W.A.T kicked off in 2017, Esco was part of the show’s main cast, playing Christina “Chris” Alonso, a former canine officer with the Los Angeles Police Department who became the first female officer to be assigned to the S.W.A.T. team. The character quickly proved her worth as the team’s sniper, and her story intensified as more details unraveled about her past, including her mother’s death and a gang kidnapping when she was 14. Her arc further progressed as her and Street’s (Russell) relationship started to blossom in season 2 despite a rocky start.
The character of Chris was eventually written out in season 5, as she decided to leave the LAPD to help house illegal immigrant girls seeking asylum. She was still referenced in the following season since she and Street finally became romantic. As for behind-the-scenes, Esco’s decision to leave the show was prompted by the desire to pursue other projects. She revealed in a statement that she’s looking to step out of her comfort zone and try her hands at new creative endeavors. Since then, she hasn’t featured in any movies or shows and doesn’t appear to have any projects in production.
After CBS reversed their decision to cancel S.W.A.T, the network also confirmed that the forthcoming season would be its last. This leaves questions about whether original characters, such as Chris and Jessica Cortez (Sigman), could return in the final episodes to conclude the show on a heartwarming note with the first team. Much of this would depend on the former cast’s availability and willingness to reprise their roles. With the new season scheduled for release on February 16, 2024, it won’t be too long to see if some of the original characters will feature in the show again.