The Truth Behind ‘S.W.A.T.’ Cancellation
CBS announced in March that Season 8 will be the last for the popular cop-drama S.W.A.T. The show was canceled twice before, but was saved by lead star Shemar Moore rallying fans. Sadly, the third time was not the charm for viewers. The series finale aired on Friday, May 16. Now the true reason for the cancellation has been revealed. Keep reading for all the details.
Bloodbath At CBS As Several Fan-Favorite Shows Canceled
The three main networks – CBS, ABC, and NBC – announced their fall schedules this month. While ABC renewed most of its shows, CBS and NBC ditched many shows, leaving viewers heartbroken.
CBS began the purge at the end of 2024 when Blue Bloods came to an end after 14 seasons. The network also wrapped up The Neighborhood and Poppa’s House. They announced in March that S.W.A.T. was canceled again for the third and final time. Fans did everything they could to save the show like they’d done twice before, but the efforts were futile.
In a surprising move, CBS also canceled two FBI spinoffs – FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International. The Queen Latifah-led show The Equalizer was canceled after five seasons.
The Truth Behind ‘S.W.A.T.’ Cancellation
S.W.A.T. premiered on CBS in 2017 with former Young & The Restless actor Shemar Moore as L.A. SWAT leader Sgt. Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson. Other cast members include Jay Harrington as Sgt. David “Deacon” Kay, Alex Russell as Officer Jim Street, and David Lim as Officer Victor Tran.
The show has consistently done well in the ratings, which is difficult on a Friday night. Its popularity is why fans were shocked when CBS announced in 2023 that they were canceling the show. Deadline reported at the time that the first cancellation was due to a licensing disagreement between CBS and Sony Pictures.
After backlash from fans of the show and lead star Shemar Moore, CBS and Sony reached an agreement. The show was renewed for a 7th and final season. But in a surprise move, CBS decided in April 2024 to renew the show for another season.
But the writers had thought that Season 7 would be the last, and several of the SWAT team were written off and didn’t return for Season 8. The second renewal was credited to high ratings.
At the time, Shemar Moore told PEOPLE magazine that he knew the show wouldn’t go on forever. “It is not going to last forever,” the actor said. “There will be life after S.W.A.T. for me and many others,” he said.
The former soap star was right. All good things must come to an end. CBS once again canceled the show in March 2025, announcing that S.W.A.T. would end in May with a two-hour series finale.
So, it seems that money was the real reason S.W.A.T. was canceled each time and why CBS brought it back twice before.
What Are The Chances Of A Spinoff?
One thing that has helped fans cope is the lingering possibility of a S.W.A.T. spinoff. Actress Annie Ilonzeh joined the CBS show for Season 8 as Officer Devin Gamble. While talking about the show’s cancellation last month, she pitched the idea for a spinoff involving Gamble and some of the young SWAT members.
Unfortunately, CBS doesn’t seem interested in any spinoffs right now. They just scrapped two spinoffs they had in the works. Planned spinoffs of The Neighborhood and The Equalizer are no longer happening.
There is always a chance that Netflix or another streaming service could pick up S.W.A.T.
Does it surprise you that money was why the show was canceled? Sound off in the comments.
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This is a well cast. well written show. It is a shame that it was canceled..
I hope NBC or ABC picks it up like ABC did FOX 911
the original series was on Abc