CBS has just made a decision on SWAT. Will the popular cop drama return for a seventh season? Find out here!
Update: CBS has since reversed the cancellation decision.
Debuting in 2017, SWAT followed the formula of Hawaii Five-O of rebooting a classic 1970s TV show. Shermar Moore played Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, the leader of an LAPD Special Weapons And Tactics team, called in to handle the most dangerous assignments in the city.
Besides Moore, the series stars Alex Russell, Jay Harrington, Kenny Johnson, David Lim, Patrick St. Esprit, and Rochelle Aytes.
The show has bounced around the CBS schedule from Wednesdays to Sundays before settling into a Friday 8/7c slot in its sixth season. The show has seen a ratings resurgence, even if it’s not at the level of other CBS shows like NCIS or The Equalizer. However, it still maintained a good audience leading into freshman drama Fire Country and long-running hit Blue Bloods, both of which were already renewed.
So was SWAT able to survive?
Is SWAT Season 7 happening at CBS?
Sadly for fans, CBS has confirmed that the show is indeed canceled. The Season 6 finale, airing on May 19, will now be the series finale.
In a statement, CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach gave thanks to the show and its cast and crew.
"“For six seasons, the amazing talents of the S.W.A.T. cast led by Shemar Moore, the writers, producers and crew guided by executive producers Shawn Ryan, Andy Dettman and Aaron Rahsaan Thomas brought us compelling, action-packed episodes that also addressed important social issues and contributed to the success of our primetime lineup. We sincerely thank them for their incredible work and passion and also thank our dedicated fans who tuned in every week.”"
According to Deadline, a key issue was that the show is produced by Sony and they and CBS could not come to an agreement on the licensing fees, which would have raised the show’s budget too high.
This is reminiscent of last year when CBS canceled Magnum P.I. after its fourth season finale, despite good ratings. NBC stepped in to rescue the show, which may give hope to SWAT fans that likewise a deal can be made to shop it to another network.
For now, SWAT is finished at CBS and fans will sadly have to handle the team going on its final mission this May.