S.W.A.T. Canceled Again After 8 Seasons: Showrunner’s Emotional Reaction to CBS Decision

S.W.A.T. has officially been canceled by CBS. The police drama starring Shemar Moore, which is now in its eighth season, will conclude in May.

If this news feels familiar, it’s because CBS previously canceled S.W.A.T. in May 2023, only to reverse that decision a few days later, leading to a seventh season. Fast forward to now, and it’s announced that the show will not be returning for a ninth season.

This time, the cancellation appears to be final. CBS decided not to pursue renewal talks for the series, ending it outright. The show had previously survived cancellations due to favorable financial negotiations between CBS and its studio, Sony Pictures Television, but that is not the case this time.

This cancellation marks the third drama to be cut at CBS this week, following the endings of FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International. All three shows were produced by outside studios, specifically Sony TV and Universal Television.

CBS is focusing on upcoming new dramas, including Sheriff Country, a spinoff of Fire Country, and Boston Blue, linked to the Blue Bloods universe. They are also exploring spinoffs from the FBI and Equalizer franchises, along with a new drama pilot called Einstein featuring Matthew Gray Gubler.

Recently, there were concerns about the fate of S.W.A.T., which was one of the shows in limbo along with the FBI spinoffs and Equalizer. Of these, only Equalizer is still in talks for a sixth season while others have been dropped. Meanwhile, the new series Watson is still early in its run but shows promise for renewal.

Despite its cancellation, S.W.A.T. performed well in its Friday night slot, but its ratings were not as strong as its competitors. Executive producer Andrew Dettmann expressed sadness about the show’s end, praising the hard work and dedication of the cast and crew over the past eight seasons.

Shawn Ryan, a former showrunner, also shared his gratitude for the journey of S.W.A.T.. He highlighted his concern for the crew who will now be out of work. He noted that they put in a lot of effort to keep the series running smoothly.

In a previous conversation, Ryan addressed his uncertainties about the show’s future amidst ownership changes at CBS. He was aware of the corporate shifts happening with CBS’s parent company, Paramount Global, as they approached a major acquisition.

S.W.A.T. is based on the 1975 television series and the 2003 film of the same name. The show features Moore as LAPD Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson and includes a talented cast with Jay Harrington, David Lim, Patrick St. Esprit, Anna Enger Ritch, Niko Pepaj, and Annie Ilonzeh.