S.W.A.T. season 8 introduces a key new team member to Hondo's team, previewing what to expect when the long-running action drama returns. After an eventful seventh installment, both in front of the camera and behind the scenes. S.W.A.T. season 7 was originally intended to be the show's last, though CBS reversed its decision and confirmed a renewal after negotiations with producing company Sony Pictures Television. But with another batch of episodes confirmed, there will be some changes coming to the team led by Shemar Moore's lead character Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson.

Ahead of the premiere of S.W.A.T. season 8, which debuts on CBS at 8 PM ET on Friday, October 18, CBS Entertainment has shared new photos and information about the season premiere which is titled "Vanished." The photos offer a first look at Chicago Fire actor Annie Ilonzeh in the pivotal recurring role of Devin Gamble, while the synopsis previews a personal mission for Hondo. Both are included below:

SWAT tackles a mission with personal ties for Hondo when they race to find a group of missing students and their bus driver, Hondo’s former high school football coach. Also, Hicks has reservations regarding Hondo’s new 20-Squad team addition, Devin Gamble (Annie Ilonzeh), a cop with a family background deeply entrenched in crime.

The Familiar Face On S.W.A.T. Creates A New Dynamic

Devin Gamble Has A Complicated History

The new character's arrival on S.W.A.T. season 8 will be an easy one at first. Devin was born into a Los Angeles crime family, though she has never wanted to be defined by her past and her last name. Devin believed that she could stand on her own and create her path by ing the LAPD and becoming a standout rookie. However, when her father is arrested for a heinous crime, Devin leaves LA and s the Oakland police department. Hondo is the one to bring her back to the team after some significant departures.

Ilonzeh isn't the only change to the cast, as Niko Pepaj has been upgraded to a series regular for S.W.A.T. season 8 after recurring as Miguel Alfaro since season 6.

Ilonzeh will be recognizable to TV viewers for her role as Emily Foster in Chicago Fire, along with her other long-running roles, including playing Lana in Switched at Birth and Joanna De La Vega early in Arrow. She also appeared in shows like Empire, Person of Interest, and American Horror Story: Cult. The actor s S.W.A.T. after two high-profile exits in Hondo's team.

Jim Street (Alex Russell) and Kenny Johnson (Dominique Luca) were both written off during S.W.A.T. season 7. They could return in a guest capacity as neither character was killed off. But for the time being, the action drama is looking ahead by introducing a new face and hinting at complications for Hondo. Those complications do not extend to Hondo's personal life, at least. Even though Rochelle Aytes has moved on to the CBS show Watson, her character won't go far. Nichelle Carmichael, Hondo's wife, will still recur.

Key Background

• This is the 3rd iteration of S.W.A.T after the original series S.W.A.T. (1975) and S.W.A.T.: Comando Especial (2003).
• There are 3 characters common to all 3 versions, being Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson, Jim Street and David "Deacon" Kaye.
• Every shot of the S.W.A.T headquarter building from the outside is entirely made in CGI, as the building doesn't exist in the real world.

Source: CBS Entertainment