S.W.A.T. Vet Says ‘Series Finale’ Left Things ‘Wide Open,’ Even Ahead of Surprise Un-Cancellation
The S.W.A.T. Season 7 finale, which wrapped filming last week — just two days after the surprise un-cancellation news came through — as written left things “wide open” for more adventures for Hondo & Co.
S.W.A.T. showrunner Andrew Dettmann had told TVLine ahead of the seventh and “final” season, “Look, it was presented to us as definitively final. But I’ve always said, as I talk to the actors and the other writers here, everybody holds out hope. Your show’s not gone till your show’s gone, right? So, we’re approaching it to make it a wonderful farewell if that turns out to be what it is.”
Indeed, when TVLine spoke to original cast member Kenny Johnson in late March, he shared that the finale script he’d seen was “great” and won’t by any means shut down 20-Squad or anything on Friday, May 17.
“I just read the last episode, because I asked Andy [Dettman] if I could read it and so I did, and, you know, it’s a great last episode,” Officer Dominique Luca’s portrayer told me, “but it definitely leaves it open.
“There’s not a definitive ending where everyone takes off somewhere,” Johnson added. “They kind of leave it where there is definitely a possibility — if somebody wants to go on with it, or however they do it — that that could happen.”
And now, we know, it will happen.
Johnson and fellow original cast member Alex Russell (who played Jim Street) were bumped from series regular status for what then believed to be S.W.A.T.‘s farewell run, presumably due to needed budget-trimming. “I’m really excited about the episodes we have for [Luca and Street],” showrunner Dettmann told TVLine before the season began. “The idea for the final 13 was that, if this was the end for us, nobody feels like they were underserved. There are some really good episodes fo Alex and Kenny, for Street and Luca.”
As subsequent episodes played out, Russell’s Street relocated to head up SWAT‘s suddenly-leaderless Long Beach squad. Soon after, Johnson’s Luca retired upon sustaining a career-hampering injury.
It is unclear, so soon after their surprise Season 8 order, how or if S.W.A.T. will “unwind” those two character exits.
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They can easily reverse those casting decisions if the budget is not a concern. Luca can’t be an active team member without some soap opera type move, but he can still be a full time cast member anyway
I think that is unlikely. I think they reduced the costs, via cast reductions, to the point where the show was brought back. But it was brought back BASED on the lower cast costs.
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I think a lot of fans will be howling next year. That, or recent cast reductions will have the option to return, at a reduced salary.
Correct, I doubt CBS un-cancelled a more expensive S.W.A.T.
I just really hope we don’t lose Deacon.
I am thinking that Hicks will retire and Deacon will take his spot – it would give him a less risky (in theory) job but allow him to still appear
Not sure I like this much better but something like that would make sense. I’d hate to lose Hicks too. I just don’t want to lose anyone, lol.
Agreed – I’d like to keep them both but I don’t see Deacon backing out on his promise to Annie & his family. Is there room for both at HQ? Or at least have Hicks recur if there is only room for one
They might do a time jump, a brief one. Wherein Hicks is still on the job helping Deacon transition to his new job. Something bad will happen to the SWAT field team, wherein a few members die. Deacon will transfer back to the field, with a mostly new team.
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There’s no one left! They should have ended with season 6. This is just sad
I hope Deacon dosen’t retire. We need him!!
Can we get a Chris & Street wedding cameo in season 8? You would obviously need Luca there too – but if would be fun to have them represented that season even if only for 1 episode.
Not interested without Luca and Street. And definitely don’t like the newbies, their stories are NOT compelling and they won’t keep me watching. Ratings were good because it was billed as the “final season” but without Luca and Street rather predictable and boring.
I loved the show from day one but have lost interest with influx of new characters that offer marginal talent and lack of chemistry. I would also have liked to see an update of Darrell and Leroy and less Nichelle and Annie. Figure out a way to bring back Street and Luca and maybe I will come back as well,
It’s just great. You find good shows that keep you interested. And looking forward to the next week. And they begin to cancel them. S.w.a.t, station 19. Chicago fire,pd,med. Seal team. Ggggggrrrrrrrr
I’m SO happy the show isn’t canceled anymore! It’s an EXCELLENT show and I always look forward to Friday nights! I’m glad they came to their senses . I hope there are many more seasons to come!
Please try to bring back all of the original cast members they started with because that’s what made the show a great SWAT. Thank you!
I am very happy that they used common sense and gave them another season, SWAT, is one of f the best, I watched the original SWAT team and when they revived it with Samuel L Jackson, Shermar Moore and his 20squard do an excellent job. It show these criminals in the real 🌎 world, look out to SWAT a coming, you are
not going to get away. Please consider another season.
I’M AMAZED @T.V. SERIES THAT HAS A GREAT 6-8 YR RUN, DOESN’T LEAVE AN OPEN ENDED OPPORTUNITY FOR A T.V.MOVIE TO CLOSE UP LOOSE ENDS OR ISSUES NOT COMPLETELY ADDRESSED. MOST RECENTLY, “NASH BRIDGES” CAME BACK AS A 2HR. MOVIE & I FELT THERE WAS CLOSURE FROM THAT OR CROSS OVER TO PARAMOUNT + TO KEEP THE SERIES ALIVE. 13 EPISODE COMMITMENT, SEASON 9, SPLIT ACTOR APPEARANCES (SUPPORTING CHARACTERS) OVER 12 EPISODES, THAT WOULD BE COST CUTTING. MY OPINION. GOOD LUCK PRODUCTION TEAM!!!!!!! OR RETIRE CMDR HICKS, PROMOTE HONDO TO LIEUTENANT, LIKE THE ORIGINAL 70’S SERIES & MAKE DEACON IN CHARGE OF SWAT ACADEMY & LIM FIELD SGT IN CHARGE. JUST SAYING. AGAIN, GOOD LUCK PRODUCTION!!!!
All the shows good actors are gone or leaving. It’s not the same. Sure hope they write them back in next season and any following seasons. Sad to see the show change so much and want to see it continued but their going to need some great replacements for that to happen. Love SWAT