First, a cancellation in May 2023. Followed by resurrection for a final season, it has been a turbulent year for the S.W.A.T. Team.
Ardent followers of S.W.A.T. have recently been on a topsy-turvy journey, with their beloved series being canceled after six seasons on the CBS network in May 2023. What followed was an outbreak of disdain and fan outrage over the sudden cancellation of their series. However, the good news is that CBS and Sony Pictures listened to the fans outpouring of support for the series and reversed the show’s cancelation order, instead renewing the series for a final season.
S.W.A.T. saw its debut in 2017. The Shemar Moore-led action series concerns Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson as he is tasked with leading the Los Angeles Police Department’s prestigious Special Weapons and Tactics division. Sharing a fictional universe with the FX series The Shield, S.W.A.T. quickly set itself apart from the usual procedural fare because of its grittier approach to storytelling and action-packed sequences. Hence, the few Primetime Emmy nominations were not a surprise for fans who knew the effect that the series had on its audience. Who doesn’t love an amalgamation of crime-solving mysteries with action-packed sequences and a peak at the personal lives of the invincible S.W.A.T. team?
It is after the revival announcement that fans have been clacking their keyboards for months, trying to trace any bouts of development on the production front for the S.W.A.T. Season 7 premiere. You have come to the right place to gather intel, as we possess essential updates that we need to put across.
S.W.A.T. Season 7 Release Date: Has CBS Given A Confirmation Yet?
The rocky journey of the S.W.A.T series continues as the production is affected by the current strike, much like the other anticipated series of 2023. Upon the initiation of the WGA strike in May, CBS was confident that it would simmer within the next two months and decided to release its updated fall schedule, which thankfully contained S.W.A.T. Season 7 in its roaster. However, it is safe to say that they got ahead of themselves.
May 2023 witnessed the onslaught of the gravest writer’s protest in the form of the WGA union. Amidst the protest, several competing networks updated their fall broadcast schedules in anticipation of the dissipation of the strikes within the next month.
However, in July, the actors union SAG-AFTRA also joined in the protest for their wage rights and better protection against the hindsight of Artificial Intelligence. The last time such a large-scale strike sent Hollywood productions into an indefinite hiatus was 63 whole years ago! We are currently in the third month of this double-strike situation, and there are no hopes for any reconciliation through negotiations.
In a recent meeting held for the first time in more than three months, the Writers Guild and the AMPTP on Friday failed to reach an agreement to resume contract negotiations. Their inability to agree on terms for returning to the bargaining table comes after their much-anticipated meeting to discuss a possible resumption of talks.
“As of now, there is no agreement on these items, because the AMPTP said they needed to consult with their member studios before moving forward,” the union said in a statement last Friday.
The situation for a fall 2023 release seems bleak. In that capacity, much like its competitor networks, CBS has re-revised its fall schedule and pushed the new releases to a mid-2024 timeline. S.W.A.T. Season 7 seems to have fallen in the same window. So, no, CBS has not given any formal confirmation regarding the actual release date of the series.
However, we can make a calculated guess on an expected date for the release of S.W.A.T. Season 7, taking into account the lingering strike situation. In a situation where negotiations are met within the next two months or so, we can expect production to begin by the end of this year and result in a 2024 first quarter (January, February, March, April) release. So S.W.A.T. Season 7 is not coming in 2023.
S.W.A.T. Season 7 Production Status: Are There Any New Updates?
Ever since its resurrection announcement in May of 2023, a new development has taken place surrounding Season 7. A deal was struck with Netflix regarding its streaming future. S.W.A.T. has a new streaming home on Netflix going forward, and the first five seasons of the landmark procedural appeared on the international streaming giant on May 17, 2023 (via ScreenRant). Season 6 of the series will arrive in August 2023 on Netflix. S.W.A.T.’s additional availability on Hulu and Paramount Plus makes it one of the most accessible network TV shows around.
With regards to production, it seems like they did not have enough time to complete the filming for Season 7 ahead of its anticipated fall 2023 release due to the hindrance caused by the strikes. As of now, production, unfortunately, remains on an indefinite hiatus until the strike storm cools down.
As it has already been hinted at by George Cheeks, President and CEO of CBS and Chief Content Officer, who stated during a keynote at Banff moderated by Deadline’s Peter White:
“We wanted to build our schedule for when the world goes back to normal.” Further adding, “Once we had done that, once we locked it in, we spent a lot of time focusing on what it was going to look like.” He elaborated that a revised CBS fall scheduling plan is expected to be revealed soon. “First of all, obviously it’s going to be very reality-heavy,” he added. George Cheeks was also questioned about the studio’s discussions with the leading Hollywood guilds and the ongoing WGA strike.
He discussed the variations between the broadcast and streaming economic models and referred to the recently achieved preliminary deal with the DGA as “helpful.”
Also, check out the official renewal announcement as confirmed by the cast and crew of the show, quoting, “We have listened to our viewers and their outpouring of passion for S.W.A.T. and we have reached an agreement to renew it for a final season of 13 episodes to air during the 2023-2024 broadcast year,” Amy Reisenbach, President, CBS Entertainment, and Katherine Pope, President, Sony Pictures Television Studios, said in a joint statement.
Further adding, “S.W.A.T. has aired for six seasons on CBS and garnered a devoted following. We are pleased that we found a way to bring it back and give closure to the show’s storylines and characters, which audiences deserve. Once again, we appreciate the talents and efforts of the cast, writers, producers, and crew, and everyone who has contributed to the success of S.W.A.T. We look forward to its return next season.”
If there are any more updates on this front, we will keep updating you here at Web News Observer, so stay tuned. Additionally, keep a close watch on Netflix as well as the social media accounts of S.W.A.T. because new updates are definitely due.
When it comes to stunts — #SWAT is elite. Congrats to the cast and crew on receiving an Emmy Nomination for Outstanding Stunt Coordination 👏 pic.twitter.com/mruyuGBCFT
— S.W.A.T. (@swatcbs) July 12, 2023
S.W.A.T. Season 7 Plot: What Can Be Expected In The New Season?
*Spoiler Alert*
Daniel Harrelson, a Los Angeles S.W.A.T. lieutenant, is assigned to lead a highly skilled unit in the community where he grew up. Torn between loyalty to the streets, where the cops are sometimes the enemy, and allegiance to his brothers in blue, he strategically straddles the two worlds. Hondo encourages his team to rely on communication and respect over force and aggression, but when a crisis erupts, these unflinching men and women are prepared to put their tactical training to the test.
Lastly, even though there is so much silence about the exact plot, there is no doubt that the new season will continue the plot and character arcs from the finale episode, “Legacy,” of the sixth season, in which the viewers got to see that the team works with the DEA to stop a ruthless cartel boss waging war on the streets of Los Angeles as he exacts revenge on those who killed his son. Also, take a look at the official 10-second promo of the final episode if you haven’t streamed the prior season yet.
In Season 7, we can expect new character over-arches with personal relationship developments and thrilling new cases with action-packed sequences. One plotline that should be touched upon in Season 7 is Hondo’s proposal to Nichelle, which she gleefully accepts. S.W.A.T. season 7 has the chance to give Hondo and his crew a fitting ending! That will finally be a cliffhanger-free finale.
What do you say? Drop your craziest proposal stories below.👇 #SWAT pic.twitter.com/74EqdvbMK7
— S.W.A.T. (@swatcbs) July 20, 2023
Additionally, since the filming is under wraps for Season 7, no further details regarding the plot have been hinted at by the creators. However, we can assure you that we will arrive with new details as soon as we get our hands on them.
S.W.A.T. Season 7: Cast
The main cast members of the series who are expected to reprise their roles are as follows:
- Shemar Moore as Sergeant II Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson Jr.
- Alex Russell as Officer III James “Jim” Street
- Kenny Johnson as Officer III+1 Dominique Luca
- David Lim as Officer III Victor Tan
- Patrick St. Esprit as Commander Robert Hicks
- Rochelle Aytes as Nichelle Carmichael
- Jay Harrington as Sergeant II David “Deacon” Kay.
The recurring cast members include:
- Lou Ferrigno Jr. as Sergeant II Donovan Rocker
- David Ress Snell as Detective John Burrows
- Anna Enger Ritch as Officer III Zoe Powell
- Brigitte Kali Canales as Officer III Alexis Cabrera
- Mark Labella as LEK
- Niko Pepaj as Officer III Miguel Alfaro
- Kelly Overton as Officer III Eva Durant
The cast who might not return include:
- Stephanie Sigman as SWAT Captain Jessica Cortez left to join the FBI and has not been seen since
- Lina Esco as SWAT Officer Chris Alonso has also left to pursue other projects
- Peter Onorati as Jeff Mumford left the series, last appearing in season 4, with his character Jeff retiring after being shot
- Amy Farrington as Lieutenant Piper Lynch last appeared in season 4, and it’s unlikely we will see her reappear as the series comes to an end.
As for any additions to the cast, we will be sure to inform you as the filming for the final episodes commence and new updates are revealed by the network.
S.W.A.T. Season 7: Where To Watch
Earlier, we would lead by saying CBS, but it seems like Netflix holds the reins now. You will currently find the first five seasons of the series on the streamer giant. S.W.A.T. Season 6 is set to arrive on Netflix by August 2023. As for Season 7, it seems likely that once the finale episodes are filmed and ready to go, they will appear on Netflix as well. All you need is a subscription plan in hand to access them. Until Season 6 arrives on Netflix this month, you can catch up with Seasons 1-5 on the same platform.
Additionally, you can watch the previous seasons on:
- YouTube TV
- Hulu + Live TV
- FuboTV
- Hulu Plus
For international viewers, Sony Pictures Television distributes the series. The show airs on Sunday nights on Sky Max in the United Kingdom. The show airs on Wednesday nights on AXN Asia in Southeast Asia.
ROLL #SWAT! We're #1 on @netflix! 💥👊
Catch up on @swatcbs before the final season airs on @CBS. pic.twitter.com/wTCarGS29P
— Sony Pictures Television 📺 (@SPTV) May 25, 2023
S.W.A.T. Season 7 Teaser Trailer: Released
The teaser emphasizes that the series centers on Los Angeles Police Department Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson. A lifelong Los Angeles local and former Marine, Hondo has been tapped to lead a new “last stop” Special Weapons and Tactics unit of the LAPD. Because he is both black and L.A.-born and raised, Hondo feels deeply loyal not only to his “brothers in blue” but also to the people they serve. Take a look at the official teaser trailer below:
Stay tuned to Web News Observer for more updates!