Get your farewells ready, as the final season is officially on the way! Here is everything we know about S.W.A.T. Season 7.
The elite Special Weapons and Tactics unit of the LAPD is all set to return for a final run as they navigate the dangerous streets of Los Angeles and face their most challenging missions, which will leave the audience on the edge of their seats with unexpected twists at every turn that Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson has always promised to deliver for the last six years!
We know that the fans are eagerly awaiting the return of their favorite characters, as they are keen to know when the potential release date has been set for the series’ official comeback on CBS. So if you are wondering the same, then you are not alone, as we have compiled all the latest details about S.W.A.T. Season 7 right here for you.
In short, it’s time to brace yourself for an intense journey into the heart of justice as the final chapter will take the loyal fans on an unforgettable adventure that will remind you why this series is so popular! Continue reading to find out more.
S.W.A.T. Season 7 Release Date: When will it release on CBS?
Even though the previously released 2023–24 fall schedule of CBS indicated that the new season would make its official return sometime around the fall season, October 2023 being the ideal release window, with new episodes premiering every Friday at 8:00 p.m. on the CBS network, which was a great update for the viewers to get a heads-up!
But sadly, the celebrations were short-lived, as since the early announcement, things seem to have taken a wide turn, which was quite unexpected!
The sudden emergence of the ongoing 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, which started a few weeks ago, has caused many production houses to temporarily halt their work. This makes any anticipation for the show’s official return in July 2023 completely impossible!
Many reports circulating have suggested that the writing for the next season has not started, which is quite unfortunate when we consider the fact that filming usually begins by the summer season if the network is aiming for its fall release later this year. Moreover, now that we know that the show isn’t in production, the release could be further delayed if SAG-AFTRA and AMPTP can’t come to an agreement with the new extended deadline, which can also trigger an actor strike!
Hence, the expectation of the series returning sometime around the fall of 2023 seems very bleak at the moment. The network might be considering beginning production later this year by setting a new release window for the series to officially make its comeback and premiere sometime in 2024 while retaining the release of new episodes at the same time slot in order to avoid any hurdles in the execution process that can cause unnecessary delays that no one wants.
Additionally, the latest report by Deadline states that CBS already seems to be taking crucial measures and might have started to look at alternative dates! George Cheeks, President and CEO of CBS and Chief Content Officer, during a keynote at Banff moderated by Deadline’s Peter White, stated, “We wanted to build our schedule for when the world goes back to normal,” Cheeks said.
Further adding, “Once we had done that, once we locked it in, we spent a lot of time focusing on what it’s 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 said. In conclusion, we request the fans keep a closer eye on social media to get all the details on the release date, which will eventually be acknowledged in the coming weeks.
In the meantime, check out the renewal announcement, 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.” Take a look at the official statement below:
Stay liquid #SWAT fans. 💥 pic.twitter.com/aJBBpSRmqJ
— S.W.A.T. (@swatcbs) May 9, 2023
S.W.A.T. Season 7 Plot: What can the fans expect to see in the new season?
Not much has been disclosed about the plot, but the new season will definitely explore the basic premise which follows:
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.
S.W.A.T. Season 7 Cast: Who will reprise their roles?
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, and 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, and Kelly Overton as Officer III Eva Durant. There can be some additions and removals from the cast, which will be confirmed later as the filming of the final episodes begins.
The action drama is produced by Sony Pictures Television and CBS Studios. Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, Shawn Ryan, Justin Lin, Neal Moritz, Marney Hochman, Danielle Woodrow, Pavun Shetty, Allison Cross, Craig Gore, Billy Gierhart, and Andy Dettman executive produce.
Tan deserved better 😢 #SWAT pic.twitter.com/E5Vp39lCoO
— S.W.A.T. (@swatcbs) May 31, 2023
S.W.A.T. Season 7 Episodes: Where to stream?
The next season is confirmed to include 13 episodes with a running time of 44 minutes, which makes it a short season as the final goodbye to the beloved series. The episodes are expected to drop on a weekly basis, which is perfect for rolling out the episodes on a proper schedule. Moreover, the official episode title and synopsis of the season have not been revealed yet. There is no chance the show creators will release such information this early on, as it could lead to potential spoilers!
Moreover, all the seasons of the show are available on the CBS channel and later on Paramount Plus.
It is also available to stream on FuboTV or Hulu Plus, depending on the preferred membership plans that the users can choose from. It is also available for free on Pluto, depending on the viewer’s location. For an international audience, 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. The series streams on Netflix in the United States.
Doesn't matter where they are — 20 Squad will always finish their mission. Last night's season 6 premiere of #SWAT did not disappoint! 💥 Catch up NOW on @CBS and @paramountplus here: https://t.co/iuTAmxtJ0O pic.twitter.com/fhgmj63RBX
— S.W.A.T. (@swatcbs) October 8, 2022
S.W.A.T. Season 7 Frequently Asked Questions
Was S.W.A.T. Season 7 canceled?
Yes! Back in May 2023, the series was canceled after six seasons at CBS, but later on May 8, 2023, after an outcry from fans regarding its cancellation, CBS eventually reversed its decision to reinstate the series for a seventh and final season with 13 episodes. This season will continue on Fridays starting at 8:00 p.m.
In which universe does the series take place?
The show exists in a shared universe with the FX crime drama The Shield, which Ryan also created.
What is the filming status of S.W.A.T. Season 7?
As mentioned above, the writer’s room for many CBS shows has been put on hold due to the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike, which is an ongoing labor dispute between the Writers Guild of America—representing 11,500 screenwriters—and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers. As a result, the filming of the show has also been affected and has not begun as of now. We speculate that it will resume once the strike reaches a resolution, but until then, everything relating to the filming status is at a standstill.
Is there any official teaser trailer released?
Yes, recently, the network released a short 16-second teaser trailer that highlights that this season will, in fact, be the final season, as after six seasons, S.W.A.T. will return for one last mission on CBS. The teaser also features Shemar Moore, Kenny Johnson, Stephanie Sigman, and Alex Russell. The series is based on the 1975 television series of the same name created by Robert Hamner, developed by Rick Husky, and the 2003 movie of the same name by Clark Johnson.
Catch up on the previous episodes while you wait for more S.W.A.T. Season 7 updates.