UPDATED: CBS has officially renewed “S.W.A.T.” for a seventh and final season. Shemar Moore will receive executive producer credit on the show’s final 13 episodes, set to air during the 2023-2024 broadcast television season (see story).
EARLIER: After “S.W.A.T.” was abruptly canceled on Friday after talks broke down between CBS and lead studio Sony Pictures Television over a potential seventh season renewal, it would appear the show might not be done after all.
According to a report by Deadline, talks between the studio and the network are currently swaying at a potential 13-episode seventh season, with resolution expected by the end of the day after discussion continued over the weekend, despite the shocking cancellation announcement on Friday. Timing is everything, however, as CBS is set to release its 2023-2024 fall primetime schedule to advertisers on Wednesday, May 10 and if a deal can be made “S.W.A.T.” could appear on that schedule with either a fall slot or as a midseason replacement.
In the series, Moore plays Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, a former Marine and locally born and raised S.W.A.T. sergeant tasked to run a specialized tactical unit that is the last stop in law enforcement in Los Angeles. Torn between loyalty to where he was raised and allegiance to his brothers in blue, Hondo strives to bridge the divide between his two worlds. Depending on the outcome, the season or series finale is set to air Friday, May 19 on CBS.
Shemar Moore reprised his role as Malcolm Winters on the Monday, May 8 episode of “The Young and the Restless.”
Posting an emotional message on his Instagram shortly after announcing the cancellation news, Moore said, “Its all about money, y’all. They said we’re canceled, but guess what I don’t think we’re done.” He added, “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.”
Moore’s Instagram post has thus far garnered more than 100,000 likes.
You can watch Moore’s video message below.