Get ready to gear up and brace yourself for the S.W.A.T. to return! Here is everything we know so far about the potential release date of the highly anticipated S.W.A.T. Season 7.
It’s been a while since the viewers were left wondering when they can expect their favorite show to finally make its comeback as the previously confirmed 2023–24 CBS’s fall schedule indicated that the new season would make its official return sometime around the fall season, with September or October 2023 being ideal release window, with new episodes premiering every Friday at 8:00 p.m. on CBS, which was a great update for the viewers to get a heads-up! Unfortunately, the joy was temporary, as things appear to have taken an unforeseen turn after the first announcement!
If you have been keeping up, then you’ll know that many reports have confirmed that CBS has decided to shift the entirety of the fall schedule until next year as the network won’t be able to premiere any scripted shows due to the lack of active writers and actors that are taking part in the ongoing dual strikes, which include the ongoing 2023 Writers Guild of America (WGA) strike along with the 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike, which sadly doesn’t seem to end anytime soon, causing many Hollywood production houses to halt their work temporarily.
As a result, this makes any anticipation for the show’s official return in 2023 completely impossible!
Many reports have also confirmed that the writing for the upcoming season has not even started yet, which is quite unfortunate when we consider the fact that filming usually begins by late August if the network is aiming for its fall release to be consistent. Hence, there is no chance that the beloved procedural action drama television series will be able to be a part of CBS’s 2023–24 fall broadcast as the network has also released a revised primetime schedule with other scripted shows that sadly doesn’t mention the new season of S.W.A.T!
Moreover, we speculate that the network might be considering beginning production later this year once the strikes reach an agreement, which will help to set 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 (8:00 p.m.) in order to avoid any hurdles in the execution process that can cause unnecessary delays that no one wants. For your consideration, we speculate that the new season might premiere in the first quarter of 2024, which begins in January and lasts until March.
The delay in its official release until next year is imminent as the negotiations are still going on! Recently, the Writers Guild and the AMPTP didn’t come back to the bargaining table Monday. The two sides last met on Friday, after which the guild told its members that talks would resume sometime this week. The strike is now in its 112th day. The WGA and SAG-AFTRA are holding what’s expected to be a massive rally outside Disney Studios tomorrow morning in Burbank. Their “National Day of Solidarity” rally gets underway at 10 a.m.
After the strike began, the WGA and the Alliance of Motion Picture and Television Producers didn’t continue actual bargaining until August 2023. The chief strike issues include pay raises, viewership-based streaming residuals, the “preservation of the writers’ room” through minimum staffing and guaranteed days of employment, and guardrails against the use of artificial intelligence to write scripts. Due to this, we know that this is a very uncertain timeline, and due to this, the best that the fans have to do is hope that the strikes will conclude soon so that it can finally premiere!
In the meantime, 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.” 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 exact plotlines, but the new season will definitely explore the basic premise of the show, which is going to be a rollercoaster ride as the characters navigate through a labyrinth of secrets, unmasking hidden truths that will leave viewers on the edge of their seats. We are certain that with each episode, the viewers can expect to be captivated by unexpected twists and turns, delving deeper into the intricate web of suspense that S.W.A.T. has been known for since its inception!
Check out the official synopsis of the show, which is as 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 by bringing life to the beloved characters that we’ve grown to adore are as follows: Shemar Moore as Sergeant II, Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson Jr., and 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.
Moreover, the cast members who are reported to not return are Stephanie Sigman as SWAT Captain Jessica Cortez left to join the FBI and has not been seen since, so there is a chance she might not return; Lina Esco as SWAT Officer Chris Alonso has also left to pursue other projects, which makes her return a bit uncertain; Peter Onorati as Jeff Mumford left the series, last appearing in season 4, with his character Jeff retiring after being shot; and 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.
Lastly, this 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.
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 Official Episode Count: How many will be there, and 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 farewell of 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. The viewers can use live streaming services to watch the show on YouTube TV, Hulu + Live TV.
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.
Sancho Zamora doesn’t know who he’s up against. #SWAT pic.twitter.com/unMUJQezrO
— S.W.A.T. (@swatcbs) July 7, 2023
S.W.A.T. Frequently Asked Questions
Was S.W.A.T. canceled after six seasons?
Yes! Back in May 2023, the series was canceled after six seasons at CBS, but later, on May 8, 2023, after an uproar from fans regarding its cancellation, CBS ultimately reversed its decision to reinstate the series for a seventh season with 13 episodes a few days later. Now, this will be the seventh and final season of the show, which will continue to be released each Friday starting at 8:00 p.m. time slot on CBS and later available on Paramount Plus.
Is S.W.A.T. Season 7 the last season?
Yes! After being canceled, the series was renewed for a seventh and final season at CBS a few days later as it was confirmed to be the final chapter of this procedural action drama television series, with the release window now expected to be set sometime around the first quarter of 2024.
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.
Is there any official teaser trailer released for S.W.A.T. Season 7?
Yes! The network recently 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 features Shemar Moore, Kenny Johnson, Stephanie Sigman, and Alex Russell, which 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.
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:
While you wait for S.W.A.T. Season 7, catch up with all the previous seasons to recall the overall plotlines and characters of the show.