Lina Esco Exits S.W.A.T. Ahead of Season 6: ‘I’m Forever Grateful’
Original S.W.A.T. cast member Lina Esco is exiting the CBS drama after five seasons, in what she says was “one of the most difficult decisions I’ve had to make.”
Esco’s exit storyline took shape a few weeks ago, when Officer Christine “Chris” Alonso told colleague and best friend Jim Street that she had decided to leave S.W.A.T. to take over for Mama Pina, the woman who runs a local safe house for immigrant women fleeing bad situations and is now hospitalized.
“I love the Mama Pina storyline,” Esco told TVLine in March. “It resonates with Chris because this is a woman providing a safe house to women who have no hope in other countries and who escape for a better life. Chris has become very invested in volunteering and being a part of that.”
And in Sunday night’s season finale, Chris — after spending the night for the first time with Street — worked her last day on S.W.A.T., giving Deacon, Luca et al meaningful gifts along the way.
In a statement, Esco — who this spring made her S.W.A.T. directing debut — said, “Bringing to life a strong, smart, bisexual character like Chris Alonso has been both a pleasure and a powerful opportunity to increase visibility for diverse women everywhere. Five years later, I am leaving S.W.A.T. to pursue new creative endeavors. Chris never backs down from the unknown and as an actor and director, I’m excited to step out of my comfort zone and embark on a new chapter, too.
“That said, this is one of the most difficult decisions I’ve had to make,” she shared. “I’m forever grateful to my S.W.A.T. family – my fellow cast, writers, and producers – for an incredible journey. To the amazing S.W.A.T. fans, you are the heart of the show. I can’t thank you enough for your support and for walking beside me through all of Chris’ journey!”
The S.W.A.T. showrunners in turn issued a statement saying, “For five seasons and 106 episodes, we’ve had the pleasure to watch Lina Esco bring Chris Alonso to life on S.W.A.T. When Lina came to us a year ago to express her desire to eventually pursue other endeavors, we all worked hard to give Chris a proper, season-long sendoff, knowing what an important, iconic character she’s been to our audience. Lina rewarded us this season with thrilling performances as well as a terrific job directing an episode.
“What Lina brought to the show, and what Chris represented to our audience, are hard to replace. We’ll miss Chris, but we’ll especially miss Lina, as we wish her the best of luck with everything she chooses to do next.”
S.W.A.T. was renewed for a sixth season in early April, and this fall it will return to its Friday night leadoff spot, where it will be followed by the new drama Fire Country and then trusty Blue Bloods.
I think they should have ended at 5 seasons if Lina did not want to continue They don’t have any well developed female characters to take her place, and it’s not interesting watching five guys run around with guns. I really enjoyed the show, but I won’t be watching next year.
They did introduce a new female officer over the last few episodes who will probably join the team next season.
I already don’t like her. Too stiff.
The new female swat members all are using these weird deep voices. That’s on the showrunner. Tough chicks don’t all have to have the troupey female deep voice. lol.
Lina didn’t do it…she didn’t need to.
have you really not seen All the female swat females being groomed for this moment. watch closer
What season and what episode is that
Exactly… I like the EMT/SWAT and also I’d lose Deacon and replace with another female SWAT member or lose Street with Chrisi? that would be perfect.
I agree. SWAT has lost my interest this season alone due to the poor writing. SWAT has lost me as a viewer for S6 as well. Tan has had barely any scenes as well, outside of the undercover ep. I guess the only consolation is that they didn’t “kill” off Chris when people leave shows. Chris was a bada** and loved when she won that competition last season, but felt the downhill storylines this season. I am not invested enough in the other female officers because they were barely introduced, but I am sure one of them will most likely be the replacement for 20-squad.
I think some of the things you’re complaining about might’ve been due to budget cuts, not bad writing. I noticed there were a lot of episodes this season were one of the leads wasn’t in the episode because they had the day off, were in court or a training. There were also a lot of episodes where they were the only S.W.A.T. team on the scene when IRL there would’ve been more teams there. Regardless, I agree with you about Tan and I hope were see more of his family life. I remember they mentioned he has a brother, so it would be great if we could see some of that relationship
Noticed a few network shows where there always seems to be one character missing per episode. I just assumed they had covid and had to isolate for that weeks filming.
I was assuming the character absences on SWAT were due to “comp” days off. Sometimes they were shooting Monday thru Saturday in order to meet deadline.
She left on her own. She wasn’t killed off.
I thought the best replacement was probably Fowler after having her recur the past couple seasons but with her thinking of quitting due her hearing issues, it’ll likely be Powell, the Street-like trainee who didn’t always listen.
Do you not watch the show? I don’t understand how you can say you enjoyed watching the show 🤷🏾♀️ When your comment makes me believe that you haven’t watched at all. There are currently 2 women being groomed to take on roles.
She simply stated: “They don’t have any well developed female characters to take her place,” It’s true, the 2 female characters are not fully developed.
I co-sign this. We pretty much got introduced to Powell and Cabrera. That’s it.
As a silly sidenote…. Why are they having these two women speak with these weird deep voices? Is that supposed to make them seem like tough chicks? LOL. Neither actress actually speaks that way.
I am glad SWAT is continuing but I wonder if they thought this could be the end. They get Chris and Street together, give Hondo and his girlfriend a miracle pregnancy, and end at that rooftop bar dressed in their best attire with that speech by Hondo. This felt like a series finale with all the bow put on top.
Wasn’t a CBS exec recently quoted as saying treat all season finales as a series finale? Either way, it was a good wrap up.
https://tvline.com/2022/05/19/cw-cancelled-shows-explained-legends-of-tomorrow-batwoman/
Are you serious, cancel a show because a female quit, yes she’ll be missed but she isn’t the star of the show 🙄
1 less viewer, no biggie. True shemar fans will keep watching
So the writers come up with a great story for Chris and Street to finally be together just in time fornher to leave the show??? It’s great that Lina is moving on to pursue other things, and best of luck to her. But does this mean she’ll appear sometimes to keep their story line going??? Or the mama Pina angle. Selfishly I’m hoping g this is only temporary cause she was bad a$$. I guess we’ll see
Alternatively: Lina leaving the show gives them the opportunity for Chris & Street to be together. Chris had made it abundantly clear that they weren’t gonna be a couple while they were both on the same team, and neither one would have been transferring out for anything short of a leadership role.
Would you really want her sticking around in a non-SWAT role calling the guys every other week because of yet another emergency at the safehouse, or just in “Street’s girlfriend” mode? I’m sure she’ll show up from time to time when schedules align.
The actress left the show so what excuse is street going to tell the guys when he comes to work? Are they going to break up because that would be very crappy ending for the build up for 5 seasons. I dont think they really thought about it all the way of her leaving
If they aren’t working together at SWAT, they can be together. They couldn’t with both working there. Obviously, you don’t watch the show because it repeatedly mentions it.
I sure hope so! 💖☘
Good for you You’re not really a fan if you’re just watching one person absolutely ridiculous statement by you hope it continues another 10 years
After watching that episode where Chris decided to leave SWAT, I thought they might continue a romantic story line with her and Street now that they wouldn’t be working together. I’m surprised she’s leaving completely.
This was a sad news to hear.. I really love Lina as Chris… she will be hard to replace..I wish her well for the future and hopefully she comes back for a few eps… Swat will not be the same..
I must say I’m happy she’s leaving.
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I’ll miss Chris on SWAT but I wish her the best in future adventures.
whenever a lead leaves they rarely ever make any shows better then the one they left
Not really true though, two recent examples:
Lauren German left Chicago Fire and took the lead on Lucifer for 6 seasons. Monica Raymund left Chicago Fire and is the lead on Hightown which has been renewed for a third season.
Not to mention Shemar Moore himself.
It doesn’t matter she’s leaving. Her character isn’t that interesting anyway. Chris’ indecisiveness is so damn annoying. Buhbye! 👋🏻 🙄
I agree and I won’t miss her. She was always leading Street on and then backing off when he got close.
Well, this is too bad for the fans, but onward and upward to the talented Lina Esco and continued success to her. Chris will be missed, as will the Alonso-Street storyline. Hope she’ll make a special appearance in the coming season and that they’ll up the female quotient in her absence.
What else can SWAT stand for in an alternative world?
I am sure there are a few that align with the shows dialogue.
I haven’t seen any ‘special weapons’ because they’re’ll in common use.
How about something that can fire self-guiding ammunition?
The tactics are all the same, akin to laying tiles in Scrabble, just nothing strategically.
I can look away and return moments later not missing anything in the storytelling because it’s so predictable.
Watch Saint escape from prison because I just cannot see an antagonist disappear mid-season.
Maybe it’ll get pushed over to streaming and go the route of Seal Team because the UK police force are foul-mouthed here too.
There’s just no need for expletives when the English language is fulfilled with bew’ful(sic) words.
Heartbreaking. We finally get #STRIS only for the other half of the couple to leave. Lina was the heart of the show. I know it was her decision, and I respect it. But man, this sucks as a fan.
I couldn’t agree with you more! I’m a big fan of Stris and will miss Chris. Nothing but the next to Lina and her future endeavors. Im going to miss Chris Alonso!!
Do not take magnum p I off the air.
They already canceled magnum.
They Renew SWAT but cancel Magnum which was such a fun show.
SWAT is co-produced by CBS and Sony. Magnum PI ,along with the 3 FBIs and The Equalizer was one of 5 scripted shows produced by Universal TV and licensed to CBS. Negotiations went to the wire over renewals with the result that the 4 highest rated/viewed (FBIs & Equalizer) got 2-year renewals and the lowest (Magnum PI) was dropped.
I agree 100%. Keep the story with Magnum and Higgins alive. I thought it was obvious they would eventually get together. This is probably one of the best remakes in recent years. Don’t kill it!
That sucks for the show… but, best wishes to her…
Still fan of show but why is esco really leaving statement giving sounds a little off. Messed up for street gets to sleep with her then she tells him still dont tell no one and now her character is to not be seen at all next season not a good way of handling that situation IMO
I don’t like the way the writers ultimately handled the situation either. They should have put them together sooner. However, she Chris told Street not to tell anyone, she said since it was her last day at work, she didn’t want it to be about them,. That’s why she told Luca to chill until she was done.
I don’t know what to say about Lina’s statement. Just weird CBS released it immediately following the episode. That news kinda’ overshadowed the finale in my opinion. There had been rumors about her leaving since the end of S3.
So many actors make this mistake. Good luck
I glad she is leaving. I won’t miss her at all.
Of course you are Mrs. Insecure overweighted brontosaurus! Lina was tight bodied sweet hottie and some fugly people just can`t live looking the people like Lina. Get some mental help soon!
Wow did you hack her camera or something?
Love Lina Esco character Chris and will miss her, but I wish she can find a way to make it back. They can add other women, but Chris is like none other. She should be able to have Street and Swat too.
I am so very sad to see her go! Makes my heart break! I wish her all the best, but hope she will return!!! She will be missed!
DITTO!
So why put her in a relationship when she is leaving? That is poor writing and if she told them a year ago, they should have planned it better. Now this ties Street down in a non existent relationship. Anyway Good luck to her.
Yes it doesn’t make sense to get them together and she’s leaves. You’ve known for a year then they should’ve done better
Exactly! The writing this season has been extremely lazy. They wrote Chris horribly this season. She is not one to usually be wishy washy in decisions and to have her just basically pine after Street all season has been incredibly out of character.
I hate this. I really like her. But it’s not too surprising after they’ve been trying out different female SWAT members for her spot.
I gave up on this show a couple seasons ago I think it was. I just remember getting sick of ‘Deacon’s wife’s attitude towards Chris and his attitude in general. I was growing tired of some of the storylines too. The first two seasons were ok and then the writing started to change after that.
Disappointed but not surprised. I guessed when they put them together she was leaving. I will miss her.
Have to agree with others here RE the season 5 writing – I am really struggling with this season as it’s just a slog to watch.
Bit of a strange way to leave things with Street if she is leaving. Maybe they didn’t expect a renewal?
I am shocked by this news. Never saw this coming. Also agree that putting her and Street together now is dumb. There is no point to it, since she is leaving.
I am going to miss her character. She is smart , and a powerful actress who played her part very well. She also hold her own with the rest of the other cast. Am definitely going to missed her on the show, no one will be able to fill Chris shoes and am so happy she got together with Street but where does that storyline goes now and she is leaving.
Best of luck in your future endeavours Lina.
I get that TPTB didn’t want to kill her off. And they probably didn’t want to Chris to get medically discharged out of SWAT, but I’m not liking the reason she’s leaving SWAT.
For a while, Chris has been pushing for more women in SWAT. She also doesn’t seem like someone that would just give up her spot, unless she had to.
Well said! I agree on the, at least they did not kill her off… but the reason she is leaving is inconsistent with her character.
They had Chris, a law enforcement officer, quit her job to run an illegal safe house. I didn’t like the reason why she left. The writers wanted us to forget that, and forget that she, like everyone else, has bills to pay. So, she’s going to quit her job, to get a job, so she could support herself while running the house? It made no sense.
Yes! THANK YOU!
Always found her character annoying. Best of luck to her though
It’ll be interesting to see how they pick to replace her. They’re not going to be an all-male cast so it won’t be a guy. That leaves a very limited pool of SWAT-qualified women who can potentially carry storylines, which almost limits to them to Fowler (although she may have quit SWAT academy due to her hearing issues) and Powell (who is very Street-like in freelancing and not following orders.) They may also bring in someone from outside the LAPD in case they don’t believe those are the best options, story and/or character wise.
Don’t cancel magnum p.i
So Jim Street and Chris finally get together – and now Chris is leaving? I held out hope that their story line would develop. Bummer. They kept me watching week after week!
I totally agree. Finally Street & Chris get together and now hear she is leaving! Wow what a disappointment. Not sure if I will watch the show anymore.
My sentiments exactly except I won’t be watching this show next season at all.
They kind of manipulated the fans of the ship by stringing along the Street and Chris story knowing she was leaving at season’s end.