CBS' popular action procedural series S.W.A.T. was originally scheduled to end after season 7, but the network has opted to renew it for season 8 instead. Debuting in 2017, the series stars Shemar Moore as Sgt. Hondo, a hard-nosed S.W.A.T. team leader who is torn between protecting those who come from his community and his service in the LAPD. Based on the eponymous series from the 1970s, S.W.A.T. sets itself apart from other procedurals by ramping up the action from season to season.

The life-span of the long-running procedural has been anything but smooth, and S.W.A.T. was first canceled after its sixth season in 2022. However, due in no small part to the pleas of star Shemar Moore, CBS reversed its decision and renewed the show for its seventh and supposedly final season. The second cancelation seemed definitive even as the seventh season began airing, but CBS again changed its mind regarding S.W.A.T.'s status. Now, after only a few months, CBS has brought the series back for a surprise season 8, and the show's future has been left open for more.

S.W.A.T. Season 8 Latest News

New Images Revealed

Shortly after it was announced that Annie Ilonzeh would be ing the team, the latest news comes in the form of new images from S.W.A.T. season 8 that reveal her new character. To hype the premiere episode of season 8, "Vanished", CBS has provided shots of the new-look team as they spring into action to rescue a busload of missing children. Among the stills, Annie Ilonzeh's Devin Gamble is shown along with returning stars like Shemar Moore.

See the images here:

S.W.A.T. Season 8 Release Date

Season 8 Returns In October

After reversing the decision to cancel the series after season 7, CBS not only renewed S.W.A.T. for an eighth season, but has also scheduled the series premiere for later in 2024. Resuming its place as the kick-off to CBS' action-packed Friday night block, S.W.A.T. is slated to debut its season 8 premiere on October 18 at 8pm. The season 8 premiere will be followed by the return of Fire Country (season 3) and the long-running cop procedural Blue Bloods (season 14).

S.W.A.T. season 7 concluded on May 17, 2024.

S.W.A.T. Season 8 Cast

Expect Some Changes After Season 7

It's uncertain how the planned conclusion of season 7 will affect the cast of season 8, but there have already been some changes to the ensemble so far. Though most of the main cast is expected to return, one notable absence in season 8 will be Kenny Johnson as Dominique Luca whose emotional retirement ceremony saw him leave the team. One return that is almost guaranteed is Shemar Moore as Sergeant Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson Jr., and Moore has been the show's biggest cheerleader since its debut in 2017.

Another change has been announced for the season 8 cast as long-time co-star Rochelle Aytes will step back in her role as Nichelle Carmichael-Harrelson. Aytes has played the role since season 3, but will not be a full-time cast member in season 8.

The presumptive cast of S.W.A.T. season 8 includes:

S.W.A.T. Season 8 Story

More Emergencies Await The Team

With the future of S.W.A.T. still uncertain, it also isn't clear if there will be a conclusive aspect to season 8's story.

Though the next season could introduce some new twists, S.W.A.T. is like most procedurals in that it tends to follow an episodic format. The case-per-week trend is expected to continue into season 8, though there are a few threads that can still be explored. The departure of Luca might necessitate the arrival of a new team member, and Powell will likely still be dealing with the near-death experience she had at the beginning of season 7.

With Nichelle stepping back to a ing role, it's unclear if her reduced status will be addressed in the storyline, or if she will simply not appear in some episodes. With the future of S.W.A.T. still uncertain, it also isn't clear if there will be a conclusive aspect to season 8's story. However, until season 8 arrives, it will be impossible to guess what happens next.