If you’re a fan of S.W.A.T., the CBS cop drama starring Shemar Moore as the tough-but-fair Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, you’re probably wondering what’s next after the wild ride of Season 8. The show’s been a rollercoaster, dodging cancellations before, but the latest news has fans on edge. So, is S.W.A.T. coming back for Season 9? Here’s everything we know so far.
Renewal Status: Is S.W.A.T. Season 9 Happening?
Right now, S.W.A.T. is not renewed for a ninth season. CBS pulled the plug in March 2025, marking the show’s third cancellation since it started in 2017. Yep, third. This show’s been through more breakups and makeups than a soap opera couple. Back in 2023, after Season 6, CBS canceled it, only for fans and Shemar Moore to rally hard enough to bring it back for Season 7. Then, in April 2024, CBS gave it a Season 8 greenlight, calling it the “final season.” But when the axe fell again this year, it stung.
There’s still a sliver of hope, though. Sony Pictures Television, the studio behind S.W.A.T., is actively shopping the show to other networks and streaming platforms. Shemar Moore took to Instagram in March, practically begging Netflix or someone else to pick it up, saying, “We’ve got stories left to tell, and fans who deserve more.” A petition to save the show has racked up about 80,000 signatures, showing the fanbase isn’t giving up. But as of now, no one’s stepped up to save the day. No Netflix, no Paramount+, no anybody. Still, the fact that Sony’s trying keeps the door cracked open.
When Could S.W.A.T. Season 9 Come Out?
Since there’s no renewal, there’s no official release date for Season 9. But let’s play the guessing game. If, say, Netflix or another platform swoops in by late 2025, production would need time to ramp up. S.W.A.T. usually premiered in the fall—October or November—for most of its run, with Season 8 hitting screens on October 18, 2024. Filming a season typically takes 6-8 months, plus a few months for pre- and post-production. So, if a miracle happens and Season 9 gets greenlit soon, we’re looking at a release in fall 2026, maybe September or October.
If a streamer like Netflix picks it up, they might go for a shorter season (10-13 episodes instead of 22), which could speed things up to, say, summer 2026. But this is all just me crunching numbers based on how TV works—no promises, since nothing’s confirmed.
S.W.A.T. Season 9 Expected Cast
If S.W.A.T. gets a ninth season, we’d expect the Season 8 crew to return, assuming they’re available. That includes:
- Shemar Moore as Hondo Harrelson, the heart and soul of the show.
- Jay Harrington as Deacon Kay, the veteran with a big heart.
- David Lim as Victor Tan, the team’s sharpshooter.
- Anna Enger Ritch as Zoe Powell, the tough-as-nails officer.
- Niko Pepaj as Miguel “Miko” Alfaro, the newer recruit.
- Patrick St. Esprit as Commander Hicks, the boss.
- Annie Ilonzeh as Devin Gamble, the team’s latest addition.
What Would Season 9 Be About?
The Season 8 finale, “Return to Base,” aired on May 16, 2025, and left us hanging. Without spoiling too much, the two-parter had Hondo, Victor Tan, and Zoe Powell dealing with a crew of Russian mercenaries wreaking havoc in L.A. with hidden bombs. The episode ended with a big “uh-oh” moment—a target on our heroes’ backs they don’t even know about. If Season 9 happens, it’d probably kick off resolving that mess, with the 20-Squad facing new threats and personal drama.
The show’s always mixed gritty action with real-world issues like racism, loyalty, and family, so expect more of that. Annie Ilonzeh, who plays Devin Gamble, teased in an interview that there are “tons of stories left to explore” for the team. Maybe we’d see Hondo grappling with leadership challenges or Tan and Powell’s arcs getting deeper. The writers have never been shy about throwing curveballs, so who knows what else they’d cook up?
