As we get more SWAT, there are concerns that it will be another shortened season. Fear not!
CBS has been back and forth with SWAT for the last year. The series was originally canceled after six seasons, but then three days later it was renewed for a seventh and final season. We were ready for it, and then CBS made a surprise decision to U-turn on the “final” part of the statement.
We’re getting an eighth season, and this isn’t billed as the final season. It will premiere in the fall, and fans want to know just how many episodes they’ll get. There is some exciting news.
SWAT will get a full season again
The seventh season was shortened to 13 episodes. This was the plan going into it when the series was “uncanceled,” and it was to give the series time to wrap up storylines. Then the U-turn happened, and fans wondered what the episode count would be considering the cancellation was linked to the licensing fees.
Well, we don’t have to worry. Showrunner Andrew Dettman told TVLine that the plan is to do 22 episodes. That would take the episode count to 163 if the series came to an end. There is a chance the series will keep going, especially if it continues to perform well on Friday nights.
The only time the series has been less than 22 episodes before Season 7 was during the fourth season. Like other shows, it was ended abruptly due to the COVID-19 pandemic, which shut down filming everywhere. While many other shows needed a shortened season the next year due to scheduling needs with pandemic protocols, SWAT was able to jump straight back into 22 episodes. It was originally going to have around 18 episodes, but filming went smoothly.
Now we’re ready for another 22-episode season. We just need Luca and Street back!