S.W.A.T will be returning to TV for a seventh and final season!
Following Friday’s surprise cancellation of the CBS drama S.W.A.T., Shemar Moore, who plays Sgt. Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, expressed his frustration at the network’s decision.
“I got sunglasses on cuz I’m a little bit sad,” the actor said on his Instagram. “I’m a lot a bit sad. We got canceled, S.W.A.T., S.W.A.T. got canceled. It makes no sense. Look up the articles, read the articles. We are the best shows on Friday night at 8 for CBS.”
Fans also questioned CBS’ decision and demanded more of their beloved show.
According to Deadline, Sony Pictures TV and CBS Studios reopened the conversation over the weekend after facing backlash from the show’s star and fans.
“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 statement.
In his video message to fans questioning CBS’ decision to cancel the show, Moore explained how well the show had been doing the past two years.
“The last two years we have been killing it, us and the fire show…the fire show [Fire Country] that comes on right after us, and respect to those brothers and sisters. We’ve done nothing wrong. We did everything that was asked for. And let me tell the truth.”
“We’re diverse,” he continued. “Did you know I am the only African American male lead on network TV? Not streaming, not cable, network television … NCIS: LA, LL Cool J, Chris O’ Donnell, respect. Much respect. LL wasn’t no. 1. Chris O’Donnell was. But LL is a beast, don’t get it twisted, don’t mix my words.”
Moore went on to say that when he was hired to play Hondo CBS “was getting a lot of flack for lack of diversity.”
He alluded to the cause of the abrupt cancellation.
“Now there’s a lot of politics, a lot of things called licensing, a lot of you won’t understand what that means…its all about money, y’all. They said we’re canceled, but guess what I don’t think we’re done. CBS is either gonna wake up and realize they made a mistake. Sony is gonna do their math and realize that this is not the right move. I hope we can have a kumbaya and come back together and continue this show because it’s a good time for families across the world.”
And he was right because over the weekend the studios continued their talks and agreed to air a seventh and final 13-episode season of S.W.A.T.
The CBS drama, which was inspired by the 1975 TV series and film, was one of the network’s most expensive series. Despite an increase in ratings, the cost of production and licensing fee ultimately led to its premature cancellation.
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