I'm Sorry Shemar Moore, I Love SWAT, But It's Time To Let It Go

The third time is the charm for S.W.A.T. as CBS has canceled the TV show again, meaning season 8 will be its last, which is for the best, despite Shemar Moore’s attempts to save it. The action drama, developed by Aaron Rahsaan Thomas and Shawn Ryan, is based on the 1975 TV series and 2003 movie of the same name. It premiered in November 2017 and was a hit for CBS. However, even with its passionate fanbase and previous strong ratings, S.W.A.T.‘s achievements aren’t enough to make the cut for CBS’ 2025–2026 TV schedule.

Unfortunately, of CBS’ 14 dramas during the 2024–2025 season, S.W.A.T. ranks last in total audience (per TVLine). Season 8 is averaging around 4.9 million viewers, about 20 percent less than last year’s numbers. Unfortunately, S.W.A.T. taking over Blue Bloods‘ timeslot following its cancelation in late 2024 has also negatively affected the action drama’s ratings. So, despite its early successes, S.W.A.T.‘s recent performance has convinced CBS to officially sever ties with the show.

CBS Cancels SWAT For The Third Time

SWAT Season 8 Will Be The Show’s Last

For a third (and likely final) time, CBS has decided to cancel S.W.A.T. again, with no hope of reversal, like in the past. The action drama was slated to end following its sixth season in 2023. However, fan uproar seemingly convinced the network to reverse its cancelation as it swiftly renewed S.W.A.T. for a seventh and final season. Flash-forward to one year later, CBS changed its mind once again and decided to order an eighth season for the show. At that point, it felt like S.W.A.T. was indestructible.

CBS reversing its S.W.A.T. season 8 cancelation decision was a relief for many avid viewers of the series. This time around, though, it’s unrealistic to think that the network will undo the TV show’s cancelation for a third time, indicating season 8 is really the end of the line for the CBS action drama. There is no more going back. However, that has not stopped the cast and crew from campaigning for other media outlets, such as Netflix, to pick up S.W.A.T. for a ninth season.

Shemar Moore Kicks Off A Campaign For SWAT To Be Saved (Again)

Moore Is Passionate About SWAT Continuing

Shortly following the cancelation announcement, S.W.A.T. star Shemar Moore posted a video, reflecting on CBS deciding to end the show yet again. Moore plays Sergeant II Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson Jr., the team leader of the LAPD’s Special Weapons and Tactics unit, 20-Squad, in the police procedural TV series, and also serves as an executive producer. So, as one could imagine, Moore has strong feelings about S.W.A.T. ending. In an Instagram video, he said, “Here we are, Season 8, three weeks away from the finale [and] we are canceled — again. It sucks.”

Elsewhere in the clip, Moore suggested another network or streaming service could save S.W.A.T. He explained, “I ain’t done yet.” Since the first seven seasons of the CBS action drama are available to stream on Netflix, Moore focused on Netflix during his plea, emphasizing the show’s achievements over the years. The platform picking up S.W.A.T. isn’t out of the realm of possibility, but it’s unlikely. It also isn’t necessary because S.W.A.T. doesn’t need to continue past season 8.

Why SWAT Season 8 Is The Perfect Time To Wrap Up The Show

Many Cast Members Have Left The Series

Running for eight seasons and 163 episodes is a massive accomplishment for any TV series, let alone one that has now been canceled three times. Yes, when you love a show, you want it to last forever. However, sometimes it’s better to let go when the series is still good rather than to hang on and stretch its story out long enough for it to lose its magic. Ultimately, CBS canceling S.W.A.T. before it could reach nine seasons might be a blessing in disguise.

For starters, S.W.A.T. has been losing cast members left and right. It can’t afford to see any more stars leave. Alex Russell as Jim Street, Lina Esco as Chris Alonso, Kenny Johnson as Dominique Luca, and Peter Onorati as Jeffrey Mumford have all exited the show. Meanwhile, Rochelle Aytes, who plays Nichelle, is also nowhere to be seen. Aytes currently stars as Dr. Mary Morstan in the main cast of CBS’ medical crime drama Watson, giving her little to no time to appear in S.W.A.T.

Instead of writing Nichelle out of the show, S.W.A.T. season 8 has explained her absence as her being around, but offscreen. If CBS renews Watson, S.W.A.T. could no longer continue using this excuse because it would water down her romance with Hondo. So, the writers would either have to kill Nichelle or break up her and Hondo’s relationship, and neither scenario is ideal. Consequently, S.W.A.T. ending after season 8 is for the best. It surviving two cancelations is extremely lucky, and given its declining ratings, it’s time for S.W.A.T. to conclude.

What SWAT Needs To Do For A Satisfying Ending

SWAT Has Little Time To Wrap Up Its Stories

As Shemar Moore mentioned in his Instagram video above, the cast and crew of S.W.A.T. are three weeks away from filming their season 8 (now series) finale. Consequently, the writers have little time to ensure that the last episode contains a satisfying ending for the entire show and its characters. Perhaps they were already planning on doing so just in case CBS canceled the action drama. Whatever the case, only a few episodes remain before the end.

Ideally, Alex Russell and Lina Esco should reprise their roles as Street and Chris, respectively, before or in the series finale and give many fans what they want — a S.W.A.T. wedding for Street and Chris. Other missing characters, such as Luca and Nichelle, should also return before the show’s ending. Unfortunately, S.W.A.T. has a limited timeline regarding what the writers can and can’t do for the finale, meaning fans must wait and see if it’s satisfying or leaves viewers wanting more.

TV Show

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S.W.A.T.

Release Date

November 2, 2017

Showrunner

Shawn Ryan, Aaron Rahsaan Thomas

Directors

Billy Gierhart

Writers

Shawn Ryan, Aaron Rahsaan Thomas

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Sources: TVLine, Instagram