Why S.W.A.T Was Canceled After 8 Seasons Although Shemar Moore's Hondo Spinoff Is Happening

By Sarah Little

Published 5 days ago

Followed

Thread 12

Even though CBS decided to cancel S.W.A.T. (for good this time) in 2025 after eight seasons and 163 episodes.

The S.W.A.T. series finale, "Return to Base," aired on Friday, May 16, 2025, and was directed by Billy Gierhart and written by Matthew T. Brown and Daniela Labi.

S.W.A.T. officially ended after its season 8 finale, and there is no hope that CBS will reverse the cancelation or that any other network or streaming service will pick it up for a ninth season. There is no going back — at least, for most of the characters. For Hondo, his story is set to continue in an S.W.A.T. spinoff series titled S.W.A.T. EXILES.

S.W.A.T. Season 8's Cancelation Sticks This Time After CBS Walked It Back A Couple Of Times

S.W.A.T. Was Technically Canceled 3 Times

Many fans might not have believed the news that CBS had ended S.W.A.T. after eight seasons, given the show's history with the network. Back in May 2023, CBS announced that the police procedural had been canceled, with its sixth season's finale set to serve as its series finale. However, this initial cancelation didn't last for very long. The network's decision was reversed only a couple of days later following backlash from fans over the first ruling.

S.W.A.T. Season 8 Cast	Role
Shemar Moore	Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson
Jay Harrington	David "Deacon" Kay
David Lim	Victor Tan
Patrick St. Esprit	Robert Hicks
Anna Enger Ritch	Zoe Powell
Niko Pepaj	Miguel Alfaro
Annie Ilonzeh	Devin Gamble

S.W.A.T. had been saved, and season 7 was on its way. The only caveat was that season 7 was announced as the show's last, meaning it was supposed to be over once the credits started rolling in its final episode. Shemar Moore's series beat the odds again, though, when CBS reversed its decision a second time and renewed S.W.A.T. for an eighth season. Consequently, S.W.A.T.'s latest fate is technically its third cancelation. Only this time it will stick.

The S.W.A.T. Franchise Continues With Shemar Moore's Hondo Starring In A Spinoff

Hondo Will Return

Shemar Moore as Hondo in SWAT season 8, episode 8

The good news is that viewers don't have to say goodbye to the S.W.A.T. universe forever, since its story will continue in a Hondo spinoff — S.W.A.T. EXILES. According to Variety, Shemar Moore is reprising his role as the 20-David Squad's team leader in the show, and Jason Ning will be the showrunner. Sony Pictures Television has also already ordered S.W.A.T. EXILES to series. So, it's inevitable. Even if it doesn't air on CBS, Sony will film the planned 10 episodes of the S.W.A.T. spinoff and release them.

"It's Not Over Yet": S.W.A.T. Star Annie Ilonzeh Gives Hopeful Update Following Show's Third Cancellation

Exclusive: S.W.A.T. star Annie Ilonzeh, who plays Devin Gamble, gives a hopeful update about the future of the freshly canceled CBS procedural.

Posts 30

As of the writing of this article, it's unclear whether S.W.A.T. EXILES will air on CBS or if it'll be released on a different platform. Sony is reportedly pitching the series to multiple broadcast networks, cable networks, and streaming services. But, the best bets for the S.W.A.T. spinoff's ultimate home would be CBS, Paramount+, or Netflix. The franchise has history with CBS and Paramount, and the original show's episodes can be found on Netflix. Only time will tell where S.W.A.T. EXILES lands and when it'll air, though.

Why Sony Is Keen On Continuing S.W.A.T. But Through A New Offshoot

S.W.A.T. Is Still Popular

Four of the main team of officers in their gear brandishing guns next to a downed aircraft in the SWAT episode Diablo

Some might be confused about why S.W.A.T. was canceled if a sequel series is in the works. The S.W.A.T. spinoff stars Shemar Moore as Hondo, and he was also the original show's main character. The spinoff's logline explains that it will begin with Hondo getting "pulled out of forced retirement to lead a last-chance experimental SWAT unit made up of untested, unpredictable young recruits." S.W.A.T. didn't end with Hondo retiring, which makes everything all the more confusing. The fact is that the franchise remains popular, and Sony wants to keep it alive.

However, the network isn't the one making the decisions when it comes to the S.W.A.T. spinoff; Sony is, which is why a sequel series is happening, and the first show has been canceled (for good).

CBS evidently didn't want to continue S.W.A.T., but Sony does. As a result, Sony is taking matters into its own hands by developing a spinoff that brings back one of the original show's biggest draws — Moore's Hondo. CBS could still buy S.W.A.T. EXILES. However, the network isn't the one making the decisions when it comes to the S.W.A.T. spinoff; Sony is, which is why a sequel series is happening, and the first show has been canceled (for good).

Enjoy ScreenRant's primetime coverage? Click below to sign up for our weekly Network TV newsletter (make sure to check "Network TV" in your preferences) and get the inside scoop from actors and showrunners on your favorite series.