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What could have been next for Hondo if SWAT season 9 happened?

SWAT season 9 was close to happening, and here's what could have been for Hondo had that been the case.
ByAlexandria Ingham|
“Hostages” – SWAT’s anti-terror sting operation at a bus station is thrown into chaos when volatile felons, fleeing the police, burst in and take the bus station hostage. Hondo and the team must play along, maintaining their cover as hostages while they work to ferret out the terrorist in their midst. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Bennett redoubles her efforts to force Hicks out as SWAT’s commander, on S.W.A.T., Friday, March 14 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on
“Hostages” – SWAT’s anti-terror sting operation at a bus station is thrown into chaos when volatile felons, fleeing the police, burst in and take the bus station hostage. Hondo and the team must play along, maintaining their cover as hostages while they work to ferret out the terrorist in their midst. Meanwhile, Deputy Chief Bennett redoubles her efforts to force Hicks out as SWAT’s commander, on S.W.A.T., Friday, March 14 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on

After being saved twice before, SWAT was canceled for the third and final time. However, SWAT season 9 almost happened, because Sony wasn’t ready to give up on it. With that in mind, we have to look at what could have been for Hondo.

The eighth season finale didn’t change just because it was canceled. It had been written as something that could work as both a season finale and a series finale, making it clear that the team still had work to do. So, that kept the door open for more cases and more growth within the team if the show continued.

Open Season
“Open Season” – 20-Squad must race to uncover a dangerous enemy intent on revenge. Also, Deacon and Tan butt heads over Tan’s changes to SWAT academy, on S.W.A.T., Friday, Jan. 31 (10:00-11:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+. Series star Jay Harrington directs. Pictured: Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson. Photo: Bill Inoshita/Sony Pictures Television/CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Hondo would have continued leading 20-Squad in SWAT season 9

There is no doubt that we would have seen Hondo continue to lead 20-Squad if there was another season. He showed no signs of slowing down, and it’s not like his job was even on the line throughout the eighth season.

He did see some growth in the season as he lost sight of how he could protect and help his team. By the end of the eighth season, he realized that he needed to do better when Gamble came to him for some advice and help. Her resignation was a cry for help, and he initially missed the signs. This is something that should have continued if SWAT season 9 happened.

Human Interest
“Human Interest” – Tan is left reeling when his girlfriend is kidnapped, and 20-Squad must race to track down a violent cartel leader who may be behind the abduction, on S.W.A.T., Friday, Nov. 15 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)*. Pictured (L-R): Shemar Moore as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson and Patrick St.

We may have seen more of Hondo’s homelife with Nichelle

Sadly, Nichelle couldn’t return in SWAT season 8, but that wouldn’t have had to be the case for season 9. Sure, schedules would have needed to work out, but the door was open for a guest appearance, and that could have given us more of an insight in Hondo’s life at home with Nichelle and his daughter.

It would have also been great to see more time spent on his difficult relationship with his father, and even the way he became somewhat of a mentor for his cousin. During SWAT season 8, Hondo initially believed his cousin had gone MIA, but then he gave him the benefit of the doubt and listened. This led to finding out that there was something much bigger going on that his cousin ended up on the wrong side in.

It shows that personally Hondo still needs to grow as a person. He needs to stop jumping to conclusions, and the ninth season could have offered us a chance to see that.

It could have also helped to set up a legitimate spinoff series. There’s no doubt that people have questions about why Hondo would end up being forced into retirement between SWAT and the new spinoff. After all, there were no signs of that in SWAT season 8.

SWAT is available to stream on Netflix and Paramount+.

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