When CBS made the initial U-turn on the SWAT cancellation of 2023, we expected to see an end to everyone’s story this year. That’s no longer the case.
CBS make a surprise decision last week. SWAT Season 8 is officially happening. It was certainly news a lot of fans hoped to hear, but we just didn’t quite expect it.
Some even greater news is that the series will have a full 22-episode order. Considering this season was cut short to 13 episodes before the strike action forced all shows to cut short, this is exciting and more surprising news.
SWAT Season 8 hasn’t been billed as a final season
Something that we noted when we saw Deadline’s report about the renewal was that the series wasn’t billed as a “final” final season. This isn’t quite like Lucifer when Netflix canceled it and then decided to renew it for one more final season.
Instead, it looks like CBS is now more than willing to keep the series going. Of course, this will likely depend on the licensing deal and on the linear ratings next year. But there is hope that we’ll get a ninth season should the show continue to perform well.
What does it mean for Street and Luca?
I just have one question now. Will Street and Luca return? The two characters were reduced to recurring guest stars for Season 7. The idea was to write them out in a way that was fitting for their characters’ development over the last seven seasons. After all, we have to say goodbye to the characters when a series comes to an end.
Now it seems like those goodbyes are going to be way too premature. It’s hard to imagine the series without these vets. Even if we don’t get to see them pop up full time, will we get to see where they are at some point in the next season?
There is also the question of Deac, as Season 7 sets up his retirement. We could see that that was left open in what was going to be the series finale, making sure one other vet will make it back. Otherwise, there’s the risk that there is too much of a reboot feel to Season 8.
SWAT airs Fridays at 8/7c on CBS.