Why Was ‘S.W.A.T’ Canceled? Inside the CBS Series’ Cancelation

Another CBS series has been axed. Find out everything we know so far about 'S.W.A.T's cancelation here.

Troov Troov
Mar 7, 2025 - 21:01
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Why Was ‘S.W.A.T’ Canceled? Inside the CBS Series’ Cancelation

S.W.A.T. Season 8 Key Art. Inspired by the television series and the feature film, S.W.A.T. stars Shemar Moore as 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, Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson strives to bridge the divide between his two worlds. Committed to the job, Hondo is equally devoted to his marriage and fatherhood. The other members of Hondo’s elite S.W.A.T. unit include David “Deacon” Kay, an experienced S.W.A.T. officer and dedicated family man who always puts the team first; Victor Tan, who started in the LAPD Hollywood Division and uses his confidential informants in the community to help the team; Zoe Powell, a tough and loyal team member trying to reconnect with the son she gave up for adoption as a teen; and Miguel “Miko” Alfaro, a headstrong officer who overcame a troubled childhood, and is now a trusted 20-Squad addition following a rocky transfer to Los Angeles S.W.A.T. Responsible for the management of all Metro Division S.W.A.T. units is Commander Robert Hicks, a senior LAPD official with the Special Operations Bureau. With Hondo leading the charge, these dedicated men and women bravely put themselves at risk to protect their community and save lives. ©2024 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved.

Image Credit: CBS

Another CBS series will bite the dust: S.W.A.T. After eight seasons on the air, the police drama was canceled by its parent network amid a string of recent cancelations (FBI: Most Wanted and FBI International were also nixed in March 2025). Most fans of S.W.A.T recall that the series was briefly axed in 2023, only for CBS to switch gears and renew it for a seventh season. The following year, it was given an eighth season.

Calling the cancelation “heartbreaking,” S.W.A.T executive producer and showrunner Andrew Dettmann said in a statement, per Deadline, “It’s heartbreaking news, primarily because it’s been such an immense pleasure working with this cast and crew to put out a show that we’ve always been proud of. They are truly an extraordinary group of people who have all worked so hard and have been so dedicated for all these eight seasons, overcoming countless challenges. I can’t give them enough credit. I feel so privileged to have been a part of the S.W.A.T. family.”

Below, find out everything we know so far about the shocking cancelation of S.W.A.T.

Why Was S.W.A.T Canceled?

CBS has not publicly spoken out about its cancelation of S.W.A.T. at the time of publication. However, Deadline reported that the reason could have been because CBS had to make room for two dramas: Fire Country spinoff, Sheriff Country, and the Blue Bloods extension series, Boston Blue.

In early 2025, a renewal of shows left FBI: Most Wanted, FBI International, S.W.A.T and Equalizer on the chopping block, according to Deadline. Universal TV’s Equalizer has not been canceled. Furthermore, the outlet reported that S.W.A.T was facing an inevitable cancelation due to lower ratings than other CBS drama shows, including the two FBI spinoffs.

All the CBS Canceled Shows This Year

So far, CBS has canceled three police and crime-related series: FBI: Most Wanted, FBI International and S.W.A.T.

In the past, the Paramount Network platform has axed several shows despite developing loyal fan bases. In late 2023, the Nickelodeon and Paramount+ iCarly revival series was abruptly canceled after three seasons.

S.W.A.T Cast Members

Actor Shemar Moore has played the role of Sergeant II Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson Jr. for all eight seasons of S.W.A.T. The rest of the main and recurring cast includes Jay Harrington, Alex Russell, Kenny Johnson, Peter Onorati, David Lim, Patrick St. Esprit, Rochelle Aytes, Anna Enger Ritch, Niko Pepaj and season 8 addition Annie Ilonzeh.