After being canceled three times, S.W.A.T. just won’t go down. The Shemar Moore-led procedural officially ended in 2025 after eight seasons on CBS but, just days after the finale aired, Sony Pictures Television announced that a spinoff starring Moore was in the works. S.W.A.T. Exiles was recently screened to potential buyers and, now, it’s finally been picked up for the 2026 TV schedule. While I'm excited, there’s one thing that bums me out.

Shemar Moore Reacts To S.W.A.T. Exiles’ Pickup

When S.W.A.T. Exiles was announced, the series hadn't been acquired by any network. It was hard to say where the series would land following the OG show's eight-year run on the Eye Network. Paramount+ also seemed to be a possibility, as well as Netflix, where all eight seasons are currently streaming. However, Deadline reports that Exiles has officially secured a spot with Starz and that the 10-episode first season will premiere this fall. In a statement, Moore said:

Since S.W.A.T.’s first cancellation in 2023, Moore had made it clear he wouldn’t be going down without a fight. The fight only continued after the cancellation reversal and surprise Season 8 renewal, as Moore was optimistic that the show would continue after the eighth season. It’s a good thing for fans that his optimism never faltered, because now we’ll be getting even more of S.W.A.T. and Hondo.

Speaking of Hondo, the new show will see him leading a new team filled with young operatives. Joining Moore on Exiles are Lucy Barrett, Adain Bradley, Zyra Gorecki, Freddy Miyares and Ronen Rubinstein. Also, Franchise OGs Jay Harrington, David Lim and Patrick St. Esprit will make guest appearances on the show.

Of course, even the best of news can come with a caveat and, with that, there's one specific aspect of this announcement that gives me pause.

Why I’m Bummed About Exiles Moving To A New Network

Don't get me wrong, S.W.A.T. Exiles getting picked up here in the U.S. feels like a dream. Updates on the spinoff had been few and far between up to this point, so the fact that we’re getting it in a matter of months makes me happy. Unfortunately, it is disappointing that the series will be on a premium cabler like Starz instead of a network like CBS. This means fans like myself who don’t have Starz will have to pay extra, either to get it on TV or to stream it.

That being said, it’s understandable why Starz would want the series. S.W.A.T. is popular among audiences, and the brand can theoretically reach new viewers with it, who may even stick with their subscriptions due to finding other appealing Starz originals. Plus, it was doubtful that Exiles would end up on CBS or Paramount+ just because if either were an option in the first place, the parent show's cancellation obviously wouldn’t have happened in the first place.

So, all in all, this makes sense from a business standpoint. Nevertheless, I'm still somewhat dreading the notion of shelling out a bit more cash for another entertainment source.

But let's not let that extinguish the excitement of the S.W.A.T. spinoff getting a release window following the first look at Exiles earlier this year. The new series will debut on Starz on September 25, with new episodes airing weekly on Fridays, streaming on the Starz app and across all Starz streaming and on-demand platforms. In the meantime, stream all eight seasons of S.W.A.T. are streaming with a Netflix subscription.

The S.W.A.T. franchise (thankfully) just won’t go down, no matter how many obstacles are thrown at it. After avoiding cancellation twice, the CBS procedural officially ended in 2025 after eight seasons. However, just days after the finale aired, Sony Pictures Television announced that it had ordered a spinoff, S.W.A.T. Exiles, with Shemar Moore reprising his role as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson along a new ensemble of actors. Fast forward a year, and the show is finally being screened for the public. With that, Moore shared a fun video with the cast to celebrate.

Moore spilled the tea about Exiles in March, revealing that they were actively trying to find a platform and screen the series. As of now, the series hasn't been picked up by a network or streamer, but it's being shown in Los Angeles for the 2026 LA Screenings. Moore recently marked that by posting a video to his Instagram, which shows him giving customized Exiles hoodies and more to his fellow castmates:

Joining Moore were Exiles co-stars Ronen Rubinstein, Freddy Miyares, Lucy Barrett, Zyra Gorecki and Adain Bradley. It seems that since having filmed the series' 10 episodes, the actors have already gotten close (based on the video anyway). Filming for Exiles wrapped in February, and there's seemingly been enthusiasm about getting it picked up. I just love seeing this cast together already, and I really hope these fun videos keep coming!

Aside from that, even though Exiles consists of a mostly new cast, don’t count out the original squad just yet. S.W.A.T. OGs Jay Harrington, David Lim and Patrick St. Esprit are confirmed to be returning for Exiles. News of their additions came after both Harrington and Lim expressed their feelings about the spinoff and not being asked to return. Those sentiments sparked rumors that there may have been some drama behind the scenes. Regardless of that, I'm just glad they're reprising their roles.

As for the premise of Exiles, the new series sees Hondo being pulled out of forced retirement after a high-profile mission goes sideways. Ultimately, his new objective is to lead a “last-chance experimental SWAT unit made up of untested, unpredictable young recruits.” Even though the character won’t be with his former team, it's more than clear that 20-Squad is a family forever and always. So I'd imagine Hondo will carry those bonds close to him, especially if some of his old cohorts are showing up as well.

With S.W.A.T. Exiles being screened, I'm optimistic that a platform will pick up the show relatively soon but, until then, the waiting continues. Until then, I'm down for more videos from Shemar Moore, and hoping one of his future posts includes a pick-up announcement. For now, fans can watch the OG series with a Netflix subscription.

Shemar Moore’s Hondo is returning in a new S.W.A.T. spinoff that is hopefully coming soon. Sony Pictures Television recently shared a first look at the much-anticipated show, titled S.W.A.T. Exiles, which was ordered to series last year after the S.W.A.T. series finale aired. Now, it’s been a little over a month since filming on S.W.A.T. Exiles wrapped, but as of now, no details have been shared on a premiere date. However, Moore finally spilled the tea on what’s going on with it.

When SPTV ordered Exiles to series, the company had not secured a home for it, even though it would have been a no-brainer to try CBS or Paramount+. But it’s not as easy as one would think, even though it’s only 10 episodes. Via TV Insider, Moore revealed that while Exiles has not landed a home, they are actively trying to find one, especially now that the show has been screened in a few different places:

Moore doesn’t seem too worried about finding a platform for Exiles, and it’s probably easier now that all 10 episodes are filmed. It’s unknown where the show could end up, but it sounds like there are a few possibilities.

All seven seasons are currently streaming with a Netflix subscription, so it would make sense for Exiles to join it if the streaming giant is interested. Or the spinoff could always go home to Paramount+ since the original show aired on CBS. And with the way Moore is talking about Exiles, it seems better to put it on a streamer rather than network television:

In Exiles, Hondo is forced out of retirement after a mission goes wrong, and he has to train a new group of recruits. Just how much grittier the show will be is hard to tell, but there were definitely points in S.W.A.T. where things got pretty heavy. It’s possible that due to the nature of the series, it would be too much for network television, which is why streamers or premium cable networks would be better, but for now, it seems nothing is set in stone.

Even though Moore is the only original cast member returning as a series regular, Exiles will be seeing some familiar faces popping up. Jay Harrington, Patrick St. Esprit, and David Bradley Lim are all going to be reprising their roles as Deacon, Commander Hicks, and Tan, respectively, in guest appearances, so fans will be able to look forward to that as well.

It’s still early to predict what the future holds for S.W.A.T. Exiles, but hopefully, more details will be revealed soon. It might only be a matter of time before it lands a permanent home, but in the meantime, fans will just have to wait and see.

One series heading to the 2026 TV schedule with a more erratic-than-usual path to the small screen is S.W.A.T. Exiles. The Shemar Moore-led spinoff of the thrice-canceled CBS drama S.W.A.T. was ordered into existence by Sony Pictures TV soon after the flagship’s legitimate series finale, but without a network or streaming platform attached. Moore celebrated wrapping filming in early February ahead of the studio showcasing it for potential buyers at the London TV Screenings, and we now have our first looks at the new action-drama.

By and large, the new images aren’t all that different from what one would have seen from the preceding series, just with new cast members replacing all the OG actors alongside Moore. Except look at ol’ Hondo himself, who is sporting quite a different look, at least on certain body parts.

Hondo Will Be Rocking Shemar Moore's Now-Fully Tattooed Arms In S.W.A.T. Exiles

To be sure, Shemar Moore's Daniel "Hondo" Harrison Jr. has long sported tattoos on his arms, so it's not like this is the most extreme change. But when fans see the character again in S.W.A.T. Exiles, both of his forearms will be covered in ink.

The simple reason here is that after S.W.A.T. finished filming, Shemar Moore himself got a slew of different tattoos applied, with one arm honoring his daughter and mother, and one arm dedicated to the actor's career hallmarks and other personal accomplishments.

I definitely applaud the look, and I maybe think it all looks even cooler when he's fully decked out as Hondo. (Not that it clashes with Moore's personal style or anything.) But given how personal the ink is, it's wild to me that he's keeping all of it intact while in character. Granted, I know it can be a major pain for actors to cover them, but the way Alan Ritchson hides his tattoos for Reacher via makeup seems pretty effortless on the surface. Which makes me wonder....

Will The Show Actually Work The Tattoos Into Hondo's Story Somehow?

Shemar Moore and Hondo's lives don't exactly run parallel, so I can imagine one or more characters in S.W.A.T. Exiles might have questions about what's being represented. It'd be one thing if it was a pattern or it was a lot of smaller images that are harder to pick up on camera. But we're talking his daughter Frankie's name going from his elbow to his wrist, which can't even be hidden in these first look pics.

So will we get an explanation about Hondo paying tribute to his uncle Frank Harrelson with the "Frankie" tat? Perhaps someone else from the character's past?

Or will Hondo just have a bunch of non sequitur tattoos that no one but me ever asks about when S.W.A.T. Exiles premieres later this year? That does seem like the more likely scenario, but it also seems like an organic way to invoke even more character development into the ten-episode first season as Hondo gets familiar with the rest of the new crew that he's been pulled out of retirement to lead.

Speaking of, pictured above is Ronen Rubinstein's Jude Callan, Lucy Barrett's Sammy Bishop, Adain Bradley's Malik Anderson, Zyra Gorecki's Cassidy Reed, and Freddy Miyares' Ethan Cole, with Moore obviously third in the mix. As far as familiar faces go, Jay Harrington and Patrick St. Esprit are in the series premiere as Sergeant David “Deacon” Kay and Commander Robert Hicks, respectively, and David Lim's Victor Tan is also set to appear.

The latest casting announcements include Bel-Air's Lenora Crichlow, who's set as a recurring guest star. Two other guest stars heading to S.W.A.T. Exiles include Selma Blair and Jerry O'Connell.

Hopefully we'll get a new trailer and news about a network or streaming home in the near future. Until then, all eight seasons of S.W.A.T. can be streamed via Paramount+ subscription.

Following S.W.A.T.'s third cancellation (which happened in 2025) the franchise is preparing to make yet another comeback. Right around the time the series finale aired, Sony Pictures Television revealed it would officially be developing a spinoff series called S.W.A.T. Exiles. It was also confirmed at the time that Shemar Moore would reprise his role as Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson. Now, the show's inaugural 10-episode season has apparently wrapped, and Moore took some time to celebrate the accomplishment.

Production on S.W.A.T. Exiles kicked off over the summer, and we can now thank Moore for the apparent confirmation that the show has wrapped filming. The Criminal Minds alum took to his Instagram Stories on Friday to share the great news from what appeared to be a wrap party. He thanked the cast and crew and seemed as excited as ever to have the first season in the can. Check out the post:

Considering Moore was a big advocate for S.W.A.T.’s renewal, going back to its first cancellation, it makes sense that he’s making sure to document this new chapter. Even though it’s currently unknown if the show will even find a distributor, Exiles' completion is still a big milestone, especially considering the fact that Season 8 of the OG show was supposed to end the franchise. Now, with filming completed on the spinoff, I have to wonder if this might aid Sony's attempts to sell the show to some entity (if it hasn't already).

After S.W.A.T. Exiles was announced, the spinoff reportedly caused some big behind-the-scenes drama. Some OG cast members spoke out about not being tapped to return for the series. The show also caught flak from due to Moore being the only franchise veteran to return full time.

Moore later got very honest on social media, as he's historically done, saying he wasn’t apologizing “for nothing.” At the same time, much of the crew that worked on S.W.A.T. and lived in LA were able to keep their jobs for Exiles. Plus, some OGs are in fact returning, such as Jay Harrington as well as Patrick St. Esprit and David Lim, who was recently announced.

Exiles will focus on Hondo coming out of retirement to return to action, and it’s unknown how much time will have passed since the events of the parent show. It also remains to be seen if any unresolved storylines from the OG series will continue on the spinoff. At the very least, I'm hopeful that fans will receives updates on the rest of the 20-Squad family throughout the first season.

As a longtime S.W.A.T. fan, I am definitely sharing Moore’s excitement about Exiles. I am a bit on the fence, strictly because I don’t know how it’s going to go and a lot of familiar faces are gone. Still, I'm just loving that this franchise gets to continue in some form. Of course, to that point, let's hope that Sony TV manages to finalize a place for this show to air. In the meantime, stream all eight seasons of S.W.A.T. now using a Netflix subscription.

S.W.A.T. was canceled (for a third time) earlier this year, but the franchise isn't done yet. Just after the procedural's series finale premiered in May, it was announced that Sony Pictures Television had ordered a 10-episode spinoff led by Shemar Moore. At the time, some of the cast was not happy that a new series was moving forward without them. It was also unknown if anyone would be joining Moore, whose Hondo is set to lead a new team of recruits, Now, I'm excited to hear that two OG stars are appearing in the first episode!

Sony officially announced that Jay Harrington and Patrick St. Esprit are set to reprise their roles as Sergeant David “Deacon” Kay and Commander Robert Hicks, respectively, in S.W.A.T. Exiles' series premiere. Both Harrington and Esprit starred in the original for all eight seasons. As for the specific capacities in which the OGs will return and if they'll be back for more episodes, that's all unknown. Still, the fact that Deacon and Hicks are returning it all is worth celebrating.

I have to admit, despite being a fan of S.W.A.T., I was a little skeptical when the spinoff was first announced. Moore's involvement is certainly exciting, but it was disappointing to know they’d be breaking up the "family" the crew called 20-Squad. The reports of BTS drama were also disheartening.

However, I'd be lying if I said I wasn't pumped about S.W.A.T. making another comeback. For the most part, it was the prospect of a new cast that had me on the fence. Now that I know Harrington and Esprit are returning, though, I'm excited that we have other sources of continuity in the spinoff. This could also bode well for the chances of other franchise veterans returning.

News of these guest spots come after Harrington spoke out about the spinoff and cancellation of the parent show. Harrington thought the long-running CBS show had a chance considering the numerous cancellations. The actor also revealed that Moore reached out to everyone the day before news on Exiles broke, but he knows that’s how the business works. Harrington seemed to have no ill will towards the show and wished it success.

As for what viewers can expect from Exiles, there is an official synopsis. Check it out:

As of now, a premiere date has not been announced for S.W.A.T.: Exiles, and it's also unclear as to where it'll even air. The series certainly seems to be picking up momentum, though so, hopefully, it'll only be a matter of time before more updates are shared. And who knows, maybe even more veteran cast members will join the show.

While fans wait for Exiles, they should know that the first seven seasons of S.W.A.T. are streamable with a Netflix subscription, and Season 8 drops on September 15.

S.W.A.T. may be among the list of shows canceled in 2025, but that universe is not gone just yet. After getting canceled for a third time, the CBS procedural will live on in the form of a spinoff series, S.W.A.T. Exiles, starring Shemar Moore. Much of the cast have since spoken out about the new series and the disappointment over the fact that they won’t be in it, but one star opened up about a storyline the spinoff needs to resolve, and I need it as well.

The series finale of S.W.A.T. was not a big event, per se, but it was still filled with plenty of action. However, not every story was resolved by the end of the episode, and Annie Ilonzeh would love nothing more than to see Gamble’s story continue on S.W.A.T. Exiles. She told ScreenRant that Gamble’s brother still has a lot to be explored, especially with the way it ended:

Considering Ilonzeh only joined S.W.A.T. for its final season, fans didn’t get to see too much of her complicated family. Even though we did get a lot of it, including what was going on with her dad and what her brother is like, there was only so much that could be included without sharing too much too fast. That storyline definitely was not as fleshed out as it should have been, and Ilonzeh knows what the fans want. It also helps that she wants the same thing:

It’s sad that we only got a season with Annie Ilonzeh as Devin Gamble, and even though we did get to explore some of her family and backstory, it didn’t feel like enough. Since S.W.A.T. Exiles will be centering on mostly new characters as Hondo leads a new team of recruits, it’s hard to predict whether any other OG stars will appear. Luckily, Ilonzeh would be down to come back as Gamble in whatever way, shape, or form:

There are only 10 episodes in S.W.A.T Exiles, and at this point, no other casting news has been announced. How other stars could return is hard to predict, but S.W.A.T. has more than proved on numerous occasions that 20-Squad is family for life. They all more than likely still keep in touch with each other and even still hang out, which would make for an easy excuse to bring someone back, like Gamble.

More information about S.W.A.T. Exiles should be announced soon, but now, the speculation will continue. It would be nice if the series were to touch on Gamble’s storyline with her brother and the rest of her family, even if it’s brief, especially since Ilonzeh is interested in returning. For now, though, the eighth and final season of S.W.A.T. is streaming with a Paramount+ subscription.

Another season of Criminal Minds: Evolution has ended amid the 2025 TV schedule but, luckily, the show has been renewed for Season 4, the franchise's overall 19^th season. This means fans will be able to look forward to much more from the BAU and potentially more guest stars following Matthew Gray Gubler’s brief cameo during Season 3. However, showrunner Erica Messer just shared a frustrating update regarding returning guest stars, and I have a feeling she’s talking about Shemar Moore.

Moore starred on Criminal Minds' first 11 seasons as Derek Morgan, making guest appearances in Seasons 12 and 13. The actor hasn’t returned to the show since then, as he was committed to another series, S.W.A.T. Despite that show's cancellation, Moore has been hard at work on the spinoff, S.W.A.T. Exiles, so he's certainly had his hands full as of late. On that note, while speaking to TV Insider, Messer discussed the challenges of bringing in guest stars, and I understand where she's coming from:

Erica Messer didn’t name names, likely because there are a few people who they’ve been trying to bring on. However, it wouldn’t be surprising if Moore is one of the stars that falls into the category of potential guest stars she's referring to.

S.W.A.T. was canceled for a third time in March, and that initially seemed to mark the end of the franchise. However, Shemar Moore remained vocal about his desire to keep playing the role of Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson. The leading man eventually began talking to Sony TV about the possibility of a spinoff. All in all, Moore's schedule does indeed seem to match up with what Messer is talking about. While I'm glad the actor will get to produce more for that franchise, I'd still love to see him reprise Morgan on Evolution.

Scheduling, whether it be for TV or film productions, can be quite tricky, as Erica Messer laid out. Everything has to align just right for a star to appear in a given project. So, when you have someone who's in high demand, it can be next to impossible to tap them for a specific gig. For example, it took a few seasons for Evolution to look down Matthew Gray Gubler, who made a short appearance as Spencer Reid. It’s certainly frustrating, but that's the way the industry works.

Messer’s comment about guest stars may also explain why some other notable former cast members haven’t appeared, such as Thomas Gibson and Daniel Henney. Although Criminal Minds: Evolution is returning for another season, it’s hard to say if fans will see other familiar faces back in the fold.

I don't know about any of you, but I'm keeping the faith that at least one or two will show up next season. Of course, though, I'll temper my expectations in regard to an appearance from Shemar Moore. While waiting for more details on that front, though, fans can stream past seasons of Criminal Minds: Evolution and its parent show with a Paramount+ subscription.

S.W.A.T.’s third cancellation may have hit the 2025 TV schedule hard, but the show will live on through the surprise spinoff, S.W.A.T. Exiles, from Sony Pictures Television. The 10-episode series will see a new team of recruits taking down criminals, and Shemar Moore will be returning as Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson. However, some of the OG cast members have shared their disappointment over not being asked back, such as Jay Harrington. Now, Sony TV is revealing what the chances are of seeing more of 20-Squad return for this new series.

Along with Harrington, David Lim also talked about the sting of the cancellation and hearing about the spinoff that will not include most of the cast. Fans are also probably sad because it seems like some of their favorite characters won’t be coming back. However, don’t count them out just yet. Sony Pictures Television chairman Keith LeGoy said at the Banff TV Festival (via Deadline) that they are figuring out a way to reunite the S.W.A.T. family:

Even though S.W.A.T. was initially billed to really focus on Hondo, the show certainly shifted its focus to all of 20-Squad and showed just how much of a family they are. The two-hour finale fittingly highlighted the fact that 20-Squad is a family, making it hard to believe that Hondo would work with a new team, even if he did retire (which is more unbelievable) and was forced out of retirement. So, it was shocking to learn that the original cast might not return for this new show. However, Sony's latest comments give me hope.

Although there may be some hard feelings about how the spinoff was handled, it sounds like Sony is trying to bring back other cast members.

It can be assumed that there will be a time jump from the end of S.W.A.T. to the beginning of S.W.A.T. Exiles, given the fact that retirement wasn’t even on Hondo’s mind when the CBS procedural ended. So, at the bare minimum, it could be easy to explain where 20-Squad is, who is still around, what everyone is doing, and whether or not they still keep in touch with each other. Even though it won’t be close to the same, Exiles could at the very least provide updates on all of 20-Squad, including Chris, Street, and Luca.

However, I'm now slightly more hopeful that we'll see a few familiar faces alongside Moore in this new show.

Other than the basic logline that explains that a mission went wrong and Hondo is forced out of retirement to lead a new team of recruits, there isn’t much known about Exiles. The show has yet to find a home, but filming is expected to kick off this summer, meaning it shouldn’t be long until it gets shopped around. It’s exciting that S.W.A.T. will live on with another series, and I can only hope that Shemar Moore is not the only cast member returning.

It might be a bit early to predict whether any other OGs will join Moore, but knowing that Sony is thinking about it makes things a little better. If anything, fans can always take a look back at our favorite 20-Squad moments with a Netflix subscription or Paramount+ subscription.

It was a shock to everyone, including the cast, when S.W.A.T. Exiles was announced. The series, which will star Shemar Moore, will be a continuation of the beloved CBS series that ended on the 2025 TV schedule this spring. However, as of right now, Moore is the only returning cast member, and a few other actors have spoken out about this situation and their original show ending. Now, Jay Harrington is opening up about the show ending, why he thought things were still up in the air, and the spinoff continuing without him and his castmates.

The actor, who starred in 163 episodes of S.W.A.T. as Deacon, chatted with TV Line about the series' multiple cancellations and saves, as well as the new spinoff. He explained that there was no talk of a spinoff while they were filming the final season, and even during the final episode, he didn’t know about Exiles. However, he also hadn’t given up hope that the show could be saved, as he said:

As far as Harrington knew, S.W.A.T. was either going to continue or be one of the many shows ending in 2025. He was not aware of the spinoff that now has a ten-episode order.

He found out about Exiles three days before the finale (which you can stream with a Paramount+ subscription) dropped in May. Explaining that it was Moore who told him about the plan to move forward, the actor said:

Other cast members have also spoken out about how swiftly this announcement happened. David Lim spoke about the spinoff, specifically noting that he would “be lying if [he] said the rollout of the new spinoff didn’t sting.”

Harrington made it clear that he understands that this kind of abrupt and surprising turnaround is commonplace in this business. He also explained how that mentality is impacting his feelings about S.W.A.T. really ending, saying:

However, while he noted that this kind of situation is the nature of the entertainment beast, he addressed the part of it that caused “disappointment.” Explaining that he was particularly hurt by the lack of mention toward the cast that worked on S.W.A.T. for years, he said:

Harrington went on to say that while it did sting, he wasn’t going to let it dampen his positive feelings about the CBS drama. Plus, as he reiterated, “It’s show business.” He’s also thrilled that most of the OG show’s crew will return to work on the spinoff series. When it comes to his own involvement in S.W.A.T.'s continuation, he said, "Never say never."

Overall, this is a very emotional situation for many reasons. Jay Harrington made it clear that he thought the show might have a future, considering its history of being saved. However, it really ended this time; the spinoff was a shock, and the lack of mention about the cast that helped the original series reach the success it did was what bothered him most.

As he said in this interview, he gets the idea of a clean break and a new story. However, he wanted them to acknowledge the idea that “you can’t have that concept without the success of the former.”

No matter how many times you try to knock down S.W.A.T., the show keeps getting back up. Not long after the series finale aired on the 2025 TV schedule, Sony announced that it had ordered a 10-episode spinoff, S.W.A.T. Exiles, with Shemar Moore reprising his role as Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson. Even though 10 episodes seems a bit underwhelming considering most seasons of S.W.A.T. had an average of 20-22 episodes, a Sony executive makes a good point for why they went with this particular order.

Moore has been more than vocal about wanting to keep S.W.A.T. going following each cancellation, and he continued to remain optimistic that more could be on the way. He recently took to Instagram to share an unapologetic message about the new spinoff, and he seemed as excited as ever to keep going, despite the show not yet having a home and only getting 10 episodes. Sony Pictures TV President Katherine Pope told Variety that 10 episodes was really a sweet spot for storytelling:

Since CBS seems to be done with S.W.A.T., there’s a good chance that S.W.A.T. Exiles could find a home on a streaming platform, meaning longer episodes and more freedom to tell a story. Ten episodes is a pretty typical order for streaming shows these days, and it seems to be enough. Plus, Sony certainly wants to continue S.W.A.T., and it sounds like they really thought about what would be a good number. So, I trust their judgment.

Additionally, it was previously revealed that a lot of the crew on S.W.A.T. would be keeping their jobs for Exiles. Pope praised the team and talked about how everyone would roll with the punches during S.W.A.T.’s initial run, and knowing that they will deliver no matter what:

Although most people are pumped for S.W.A.T. Exiles, there apparently was some behind-the-scenes drama, with stars and writers learning about the spinoff just days before it was revealed to the public, and veterans of the production were kept out of the loop. While the new project will include about 200 crew members based in LA who worked on the CBS procedural, Moore will be the only cast member returning for the new show, despite some other actors being hopeful that this wouldn’t be the end.

Regardless of episode length and who’s a part of it behind and in front of the camera, it’s exciting to know that after being canceled three times, S.W.A.T. will live on, albeit with a spinoff. Since Hondo’s working with a new team, there is no telling how things will turn out, but knowing that the show is coming back in some way makes it better than nothing. For now, fans can always watch S.W.A.T. with a Netflix subscription or a Paramount+ subscription.

Fans of S.W.A.T. have certainly been on a roller coaster the past few years, with the Shemar Moore action series getting canceled three times, only to keep getting new life. Following the Season 8 series finale on the 2025 TV schedule, the spinoff S.W.A.T.: Exiles was announced, and fans’ spirits were on the upswing again with the promise of more Hondo. This time, however, the relief apparently wasn’t universal, as it seems there’s some drama behind the scenes.

S.W.A.T.: Exiles seems to have come together pretty quickly, as Sony Pictures Television ordered the spinoff just days after the series became one of the 2025 TV cancellations following its finale on CBS. While Shemar Moore couldn’t have looked happier making the spinoff announcement, other members of the cast and crew were apparently in shock.

Deadline reports that the S.W.A.T. stars and most of the writers only learned about the spinoff a couple of days before it was revealed to the public, and some veterans of the production felt alienated from being kept out of the loop. The oversight in communication reportedly may have stemmed from how fast the deal came together.

The move saved the jobs of about 200 Los Angeles-based crew members who worked on S.W.A.T. and will continue to work on Exiles; however, the same can’t be said of the cast. Shemar Moore is, of course, returning as Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, but he is the only member of CBS’ flagship program who’s been announced to be on the spinoff. The sergeant will be working with a new team of young recruits, which seems to indicate an entirely new cast will surround Moore.

The actor addressed this himself, calling himself “the Tom Brady of S.W.A.T.” and comparing his co-stars to members of a football team. He said, “people get traded... But the teams keep on pushing their quarterback.”

As for what the series will be about, S.W.A.T. Exiles will take place after a high-profile mission goes awry. The premise sees Hondo pulled out of forced retirement to lead a last-chance experimental unit made of “untested, unpredictable young recruits.” Shemar Moore’s character will have to “bridge a generational divide, navigate clashing personalities, and turn a squad of outsiders into a team capable of protecting the city and saving the program that made him who he is.”

We’ll have to see if this new cast can capture the same magic as the series that refused to die. Filming is set to begin in L.A. this summer for the 10-episode first season. It’s unknown if S.W.A.T.: Exiles will return to CBS, as Sony Pictures TV is shopping it around to broadcast and cable networks as well as streaming services.

While we keep our eye on any further drama caused by this move from Sony Pictures TV, at least we can relive our favorite moments between Hondo and his OG team by streaming all eight seasons with a Paramount+ subscription.

S.W.A.T. became one of many shows to be canceled in 2025, and fans and some of the cast members stayed hopeful that the franchise wouldn't end. The series finale left fans wanting more and, although the show has come to an end on the 2025 TV schedule, there's more to come, at least for Hondo. Sony Pictures Television ordered a new spinoff, S.W.A.T. Exiles, with Shemar Moore reprising his beloved role as the S.W.A.T. sergeant. Now, in a new video, Moore shares bittersweet feelings and compares himself to Tom Brady.

The spinoff, which received a 10-episode order from SPTV, will see Hondo working with a new team of young recruits, meaning that 20-Squad will be no longer be the focus. Moore took to Instagram to share a lengthy video in which he talked about S.W.A.T. Exiles. He specifically mentioned how he might “catch some flak” from the industry and from fans for what he’s about to say, but he was still elated that he “won the battle.” He also noted used a sports analogy when discussing the parent show and offshoot series:

The actor isn't wrong about the unpredictable nature of professional sports, as teams do indeed make moves that can be shocking to fans. On the surface, it might seem somewhat strange for Moore to compare himself to the legendary NFL quarterback and future hall of famer. However, as number one on the call sheet, he is indeed the equivalent of the QB. Moore also said:

Shemar Moore called out his former co-stars and made sure they knew they were loved and appreciated, saying they “did the damn thing” for eight years. Sony also revealed another bright spot to this spinoff, which is that it’s “preserving jobs for the 200-person local production crew” who worked on the original series. The Criminal Minds alum spoke about the new show saving jobs and “keeping Hollywood in LA,” which is a “big deal.”

Later in the conversation, Moore opened up about how bittersweet Exiles is. He said farewell to S.W.A.T. ahead of the series finale, expressing gratitude that the show was able to run as long as it did and survive two cancellations in the process. Although the procedural franchise will be heading into a new direction, it’s not lost on Moore just how special the series, cast, crew and especially the fans are:

S.W.A.T. Exiles will be filming this summer, according to Moore, but, as of now, the show has not been scooped up by a company. Sony is going to shop it around to networks and streamers in the hopes to find “the right homes and partners” that will appease the existing fanbase and “attract new viewers.” There are plenty of possibilities in regard to where it might land but, given the popularity of this IP, I'd be surprised if it stayed on the market long. Check out Shemar Moore's video in its entirety:

As for whether or not any other veteran characters will return, that remains to be seen. Some actors weren't convinced that S.W.A.T. was ending for good, believe it or not. It's evident that Moore still considers everyone a family, so it wouldn’t be surprising if some members of 20-Squad showed up to lend their leader a helping hand. Regardless, it's lovely to see that Moore is excited about what's to come and has respect for the people he worked with for nearly a decade.

S.W.A.T. fans, not to mention the cast and crew, have gone through as many celebratory ups and disappointing downs as any show I can think of, with CBS cancelling the action-drama for the third time after rescuing it from the dead twice before. Despite continued viewer protests and even one star’s faith in its return, the show wrapped production in March and aired its non-conclusive series finale on May 16. Then, two days later, Sony Pictures Television ordered up a spinoff.

That’s right, the military drama that could is somehow returning to the small screen once again, only this time in a brand new way, as a spinoff that’ll go by the name of S.W.A.T. Exiles. It was a wild shock to end the weekend on, especially after star Shemar Moore posted a touching farewell to the dedicated fanbase. It appears that may have been a ruse of sorts, as the actor later dropped an Instagram post with the grand reveal of Hondo’s big return.

The good vibes coming off of his smiling face are definitely palpable, too, as he shared the news first by saying:

Technically, Shemar Moore should have repeated "we got canceled" one more time to factually line up with past events. Which isn't a knock on the show, but rather pointing out that not even three separate axings could successfully keep Hondo Harrison off of our TVs. The show should have its own metaphorical sash filled with merit badges.

In any case, the beloved actor continued, saying:

In the caption of the post, Moore notes that Hondo is back "not just to lead, but to rebuild," and mentions the show will be bringing in some new recruits, but without room for error, at least where the characters are concerned.

Here are a few details that we know so far from Sony Pictures TV's big announcement made at this year's LA Screenings event (via Variety):

• S.W.A.T. Exiles earned a 10-episode series order from the studio.
• Production on the spinoff is set to begin this summer in Los Angeles.
• CBS is not currently confirmed to be the spinoff's home, as Sony Pictures TV will be shopping it to various broadcast and cable networks, as well as streaming services.
• Lucifer and The Brothers Sun vet Jason Ning will be handling showrunner duties, and will also serve as an executive producer alongside Shemar Moore.
• Sony aims to find "the right homes and partners" for S.W.A.T. Exiles that will not only appease the already existing fanbase, but will also "attract new viewers."
• Sony noted in the announcement that it's "preserving jobs for the 200-person local production crew" who worked on the original series for its eight-season run.

It's very clear that Sony TV's execs are bullish about the spinoff's chances at becoming a success as the original did, and I'm intrigued to learn where it might end up. Obivously it would be a logical move for Exiles to be available with the same Paramount+ subscription that provides access to S.W.A.T. proper, but if the goal is indeed also to bring in new fans, perhaps a shift in setting is on the way.

Which will absolutely affect when fans might get their eyeballs on the new series. If it manages to get picked up at CBS again, there's a relatively decent chance it could debut before the 2025 TV schedule has ended, but that wouldn't be possible if it lands at Netflix where the entire season would need to be filmed in its entirety before earning a release date.

While waiting for more news, let Shemar Moore's smiles guide you through whatever whatever woes your day might bring.

Jason Ning is also working with Sony Pictures TV on a series adaptation of Crouching Tiger, Hidden Dragon from author Wang Dulu's Crane-Iron book series. And considering his past efforts on The Expanse and Mrs. Davis, I'm thinking the action in S.W.A.T. Exiles will be just as impressive as what came before, if not more so. Here's hoping Moore will deliver new videos to clue us in on every stage of the process.

When it comes to the list of TV shows canceled or ending in 2025, there are a few long-running titles in the mix. One of those is CBS’ S.W.A.T., which just completed an eight-season run this past Friday. This truly marks the end of an era, as the Shemar Moore-led procedural arguably became one of the Eye Network’s most endearing titles. With the series now at an end, Moore, who's now set to headline a spinoff, shared photos and a sweet message for those who’ve watched the show.

Shemar Moore has been very vocal about not wanting the CBS production to end, as he believes the high-octane series still has gas in the tank. Despite that, the star – who’s played Sergeant II Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson – for eight years took to Instagram to express some gratitude. He shouted out the “fam and fans” for sticking with the show for so long. It’s a sweet message and one that seems to effectively encapsulate the positive feelings Moore has about his time starring on the program:

I’d imagine that this situation must be somewhat surreal for the 55-year-old leading man. He’s in a position in which he has to say goodbye to the collaborators he’s worked so closely with for nearly a decade. Sure, many of us work alongside others for just as long or even longer. However, given the stresses of crafting a TV show like this one, the Hondo actor and his crew have certainly been through a lot. You can check out his post, complete with those aforementioned photos, down below:

Ahead of the 2025 TV schedule, S.W.A.T. was on a bit of a rollercoaster of cancellations and renewals. In 2023, the series was canceled after six seasons, yet it was later saved and renewed for a seventh. History repeated itself as the show was axed once again in 2024, only to be greenlit for an eighth season. News of this latest and final cancellation broke this past March, with the cast (and fans) expressing disappointment. The prospect of the show ending felt even more real months ago when the cast wrapped on Season 8.

Throughout all of the cancellation periods, Shemar Moore didn’t bite his tongue, as he took to social media to rally fans in the hopes of saving the show each time. Moore penned a message to the fanbase and to Hollywood back in March, through which he expressed the sentiment that the cancellation “sucks.” However, the actor also expressed how “proud” he was that S.W.A.T. escaped cancellation twice. Moore also made an appeal to Netflix, asking that the streamer consider picking up the show, as it’s done with other network titles.

As previously mentioned though, this won't be the franchise's last hurrah. It's been announced that a spinoff series, S.W.A.T. Exiles, has been greenlit and will be shopped around. The follow-up show received a 10-episode order from Sony Pictures Television and will see Shemar Moore reprise his role as Hondo. In the series, Hondo is tasked with training a group of young recruits. Moore reacted to the news via video, and his enthusiasm is infectious.

Meanwhile, the cast and crew of the parent show certainly have a lot to be proud of and thankful for. Over the course of eight years, they delivered a compelling show that garnered a devoted following. And, of course, it’s also impressive that the procedural escaped cancellation multiple times. So, at this time, let’s send kudos and positive vibes to Shemar Moore, his co-stars and the crew for all their hard work.

Those who are already pining for S.W.A.T. following the end of its run can stream episodes using a Paramount+ subscription.

S.W.A.T. was recently canceled for a third time by CBS, and its finale is one of many hitting the 2025 TV schedule. Airing on Friday, May 16, it seems like this one will be sticking. Despite the final two episodes airing back-to-back, it won’t be a “big series finale event” but will more resemble non-conclusive finales that will still leave S.W.A.T. fans wanting more, since 20-Squad will definitely continue existing. Now, after hearing one executive producer's thoughts about the finale, I’m most looking forward to seeing 20-Squad as a family.

Throughout the procedural’s run, it’s always been clear that 20-Squad is a family, no matter who comes or goes. It’s the main reason why it took so long for Hondo to find permanent replacements for Street and Luca last season. And of course, that will be evident once again in these final two episodes, more so than ever before, as executive producer Andrew Dettman tells TV Insider:

What exactly that means is unknown, but anything can happen. It’s obvious that it won’t be easy for Hondo, especially if this could mean that the squad might be breaking up again or something else. Not only will they be going up against “the most formidable and well-trained opponents they’ve ever faced,” but Hondo and the team will be learning more about themselves and each other:

Even though it’s hard to imagine 20-Squad no longer being 20-Squad, it sounds like almost everyone is going to start a new chapter in their lives, whether that’s personal or professional. They’ve all gone through a lot over the years, and over the last season, but it seems like not only will they be readying themselves for something new, but they will also be leaning on each other.

Additionally, Hondo will also be learning about what it means to be leader from Hicks, but if anyone can keep the squad together, it’s Hondo. That being said, what makes 20-Squad special is that not only are they a family on-screen, but off-screen as well:

No matter how S.W.A.T. ends and whether 20-Squad is all still together or they’re moving on, they will certainly still be a family, which makes the cancellation even harder. Of course, fans can always watch the show with a Netflix subscription or the recent episodes with a Paramount+ subscription, but that’s just not the same.

If anything, the squad will be going out with one last intense case, and it includes a car stunt that Dettman teases “maybe tops our already amazing résumé” as Hondo and the team continue to work together to make LA safe:

If it’s not the family aspect, S.W.A.T. is known for pulling out some pretty intense stunts, whether that includes a plane, semi-truck, motorcycle, or just your average car. Hopefully this will be one for the highlight reels.

It should be entertaining to see how it all comes to an end when the S.W.A.T. finale airs on Friday at 9 p.m. ET and 10 p.m. ET on CBS.

After getting canceled for a third time, S.W.A.T. will be ending next month on the 2025 TV schedule. Even though the hope for another season is still very much alive, we also need to come to terms with this being the end. Comments about the finale have me stressed since it will apparently leave fans wanting more, and the showrunner explained why it won’t be a big event episode. However, while I find this all a bit disappointing, it's also understandable.

By the time CBS canceled S.W.A.T. again, the cast and crew were already a few weeks out from filming the finale. So, while it's possible that the episode was initially written to also serve as a series finale, something that a lot of writers do when the future is unknown, don’t expect there to be much change to accommodate the cancellation. Also, unlike most series finales, S.W.A.T. won’t be going too big for 20-Squad’s final on-screen outing, as showrunner Andrew Dettmann told TVLine:

This makes sense since 20-Squad will forever be out and about and saving lives across the Los Angeles area, even if it's not on-screen. Plus, this makes it so that if S.W.A.T. manages to pull off another miraculous save, it would be easy to pick up where it left off. That being said, although there are still a handful of episodes left and room for surprises, it sounds like the finale will be your typical S.W.A.T. season finale, which is exciting.

However, I'm not hopeful that there will be any big surprises, such as the return of Lina Esco’s Chris, Alex Russell’s Street, and Kenny Johnson’s Luca. There has been some hope that the three could come back after it was revealed in Russell’s final episode last year that Street was going to ask Chris to marry him. But it seems like the Stris wedding will have to be left to the imagination of the fans.

Filming for Season 8 officially wrapped in March and the cast got emotional reacting to the end. The finale may not have big series finale vibes, but it’s clear that fans will certainly still get emotional knowing that it will likely be the last time they see 20-Squad, or at least, new episodes involving them.

Regardless of how big or small these final episodes of S.W.A.T. are, they will still be big since the cast and crew have poured their hearts into them. It’s going to be a sad day when the finale airs on May 16, but at least fans can always turn to streaming for comfort. New episodes of S.W.A.T. air on Fridays at 10 p.m. ET on CBS, and stream the next day with a Paramount+ subscription. The first seven seasons are also streaming for those with a Netflix subscription.

After CBS axed three fan favorites, fans of S.W.A.T. are preparing to say goodbye to 20-Squad for a third time. The Shemar Moore-led procedural has been canceled yet again, and while CBS saved the show twice, it’s seeming more and more likely that it will actually end this time. The cast got emotional while reacting to the cancellation as they prepared to wrap filming. So, Now that filming has actually finished, they’re making me and the fans even more emotional.

How The S.W.A.T. Cast Celebrated The End Of Season 8

The S.W.A.T. cast and crew were already preparing themselves for the end of their show on the 2025 TV schedule, so it was no surprise when Moore shared on Instagram that it was wrap day for 20-Squad. Alongside a photo of him and his co-stars, the actor wrote:

Just hours later, he took to IG again to share another photo with the cast on Thursday night, revealing that it’s officially a series wrap on 20-Squad.

Moore was not the only one to celebrate the end of filming, either. David Lim also posted on Instagram as he wrapped filming as Victor Tan, reflecting on his time on S.W.A.T. and all of the memories he made with his friends and forever family:

Of course, Moore has already put out the call to Netflix and other streamers in the hopes of getting S.W.A.T. picked up elsewhere. However, there are no updates on that front, which makes things as emotional as ever. Plus, the cast has been on quite a roller coaster in the last two years with the multiple cancellations and renewals. So, yeah, I’m in my feels just thinking about the end, and other fans are too.

The Fans And I Are Feeling Emotional About S.W.A.T. Ending

Not surprisingly, plenty of fans had much to say in the comments of these posts, and because I share the same exact sentiments, I’m getting emotional reading through all of them. Across both Moore and Lim’s posts, fans had a lot to say, especially knowing that although the show is likely truly ending, making it this far was an incredibly impressive feat:

• I’ve watched every episode every season. I hope another network pics this up! 🔥 -suemcaughey wrote on Moore's post
• Absolutely gutted Swat has been cancelled again one of the best shows on Tv 😢 You guys have been great to watch -kimmccormick_35 wrote on Moore's post
• Can’t believe it’s actually ending this time.. for real! 😢 We’ll miss 20 squad ❤️ -rhiannonxo____ wrote on Moore's post
• i told myself i wouldn’t cry… -swatsketches wrote on Moore's post
• Been a heck of a ride; thankful for eight great seasons watching 20 Squad….appreciate you all 🥹. -sargimusprime88 wrote on Lim's post
• You gave us more than a show, you gave us a family. Thank so much for everything !!! ❤️ #SAVESWAT -hightechcs wrote on Lim's post

Considering the finale will leave fans wanting more, I want nothing more than for there to be another season of S.W.A.T. However, I’m not sure I’d be able to handle another surprise renewal only for it to get canceled again. At the very least, there will likely be at least some closure in the finale, assuming the writers were prepared for the potential end.

It should be entertaining and emotional to see how it all comes to a close. So, I'll be sure to have my tissues ready as new episodes of S.W.A.T. return on Friday, April 4, at 10 p.m. ET on CBS, and stream the next day with a Paramount+ subscription.

Despite CBS renewing nine shows at once last month, procedural S.W.A.T. was not so lucky. The series was canceled by the network yet again, making it the third time. After the stressful finale airs in May on the 2025 TV schedule, fans will more than likely be saying goodbye to 20-Squad for good this time. As the show wraps filming, Shemar Moore and the cast got emotional about the end, and now I’m getting emotional.

Over the weekend Moore shared a video on Instagram featuring him and his co-stars talking about what S.W.A.T. has meant to them, whether over the last eight years, few years, or even just several months. Of course, Moore is also not one to back down from a fight, urging fans in the caption to “make some noise” and directing them to a link to a petition in his bio to try to save the series once again:

I don’t know if it’s the fact that S.W.A.T. is likely truly ending this time or if it’s the music paired with the cast reflecting on the series, but I may be just as emotional as them. David Lim, Jay Harrington, Anna Enger Ritch, Niko Pepaj, Patrick St. Esprit, Annie Ilonzeh, and Moore shared their own thoughts on the CBS drama, and it’s clear most, if not all, were holding back tears. It just shows that 20-Squad is not only a family on-screen but off-screen as well, no matter how long a member has been part of the show.

It's always possible that S.W.A.T. will once again be renewed, whether by CBS or elsewhere, but for now, the cast is preparing themselves for what’s to come. There’s only so many times that a show can be saved from cancellation, and it seems like the cast knows it, even if Moore is still feeling optimistic about it.

When it was announced that S.W.A.T. was canceled again, Moore did not hold back on his thoughts, which have become somewhat of an annual tradition now. While he held no ill will towards CBS and was grateful that the series was able to have eight seasons and be uncanceled twice, he still put out a call to Netflix and other streamers in the hopes of getting picked up elsewhere. It’s possible that the show could go to Paramount+, like SEAL Team. However, the first seven seasons are streaming with a Netflix subscription, so that’s also another possibility. If CBS Studios and Sony Television are looking to shop the show around, that is.

With CBS canceling three fan-favorite dramas, S.W.A.T. included, as well as both FBI spinoffs, May is going to be a hard month. That is when most finales will be airing, and fans will be seeing some of their favorite shows air new episodes for what’s very likely the final time. While S.W.A.T.’s luck has probably run out, getting saved twice is certainly impressive. Plus, nothing will break the bond the cast has, and they will probably still be hanging out from time to time, which will be better than nothing. New episodes of S.W.A.T. return on Friday, April 4 at 10 p.m. ET on CBS, streaming the next day with a Paramount+ subscription.

Here we go again, folks. For not the first or second but third time, CBS has canceled S.W.A.T., the action-drama starring Shemar Moore. The actor himself announced the news via social media, thanking the network for what it’s done for his career and — once again — appealing for the show to be saved. He didn’t limit his plea to CBS, though, and Moore actually makes some good points about Netflix.

With two episodes left on the 2025 TV schedule before officially becoming one of this year’s TV cancellations, S.W.A.T. is not going gentle into that good night — at least if Shemar Moore has anything to say about it. The Hondo actor didn’t hold back in a message to the “babygirls” and Hollywood, as he asked Netflix to save the series. Moore said:

Shemar Moore makes some great points here. The first seven seasons of S.W.A.T. are already available to stream with a Netflix subscription, and given the success the show has seen with the streamer’s audience — ranking as one of Netflix’s most bingeable shows for a long time after its debut on the platform — there’s good reason to believe that a ninth season would do well there.

Netflix does have a reputation for saving some series that get canceled by their networks, too. Back in 2018, Netflix saved Designated Survivor for a third season after it got the axe from ABC. The same year, Fox’s Lucifer was saved from cancellation, and the list continues with other series like Longmire and The Killing.

It’s not a foregone conclusion, though, that the streamer will step in. Fans thought that creator Shonda Rhimes’ relationship with Netflix might help Station 19 get picked up there, and while that was apparently “so close” to happening, it did not come to fruition.

However this plays out for Shemar Moore and the rest of the S.W.A.T. cast, you can’t blame him for trying. The actors and fans alike were optimistic about getting a ninth season, with co-developer Shawn Ryan saying CBS executives were amongst S.W.A.T.’s fans and that creatively the scripts were still as strong as ever.

This has been a long fight, with S.W.A.T.’s first cancellation coming in 2023 after Season 6. That decision was reversed two days later, but the action-drama got the axe again following Season 7. As unlikely as it seemed, CBS changed course again, ordering an eighth and — at this point, at least — final season.

Will Netflix hear Shemar Moore’s cries and step in to save S.W.A.T.? We’ll have to wait and see, but in the meantime, catch the final two episodes of Season 8 at 10 p.m. ET Friday, March 14 and April 4, on CBS and streaming the next day with a Paramount+ subscription.

Well, it happened. After two uncancellations, S.W.A.T. has been axed again. Considering its history, this is a tragic addition to the list of shows ending in 2025. However, Shemar Moore isn’t going down without a fight, as he posted a passionate statement about the series coming to a close and his hope that this really won’t be the end.

In true Shemar Moore fashion, the actor took to his Instagram to post a raw video to his “Babygirls” and “Hollywood.” Referencing S.W.A.T.’s history with cancellations, the passionate crew he works with, fans who watch the show, and his hopes for the future, the actor started his video by saying:

It's true, this is a hard axe to swallow, because S.W.A.T. has been through so much to stay on the air.

The show's past wasn’t lost on Moore. He noted the two uncancellations they received for the last two seasons, and shared just how proud he and the drama's team are of what they created, explaining:

That gratitude expanded beyond S.W.A.T, too.

While the actor didn’t mask his sadness about his series ending on the 2025 TV schedule, he also shared the pivotal role CBS has played in his career overall, saying:

While Moore showed a lot of appreciation toward CBS – seeing as his current show has been there for eight seasons and he was a staple of two other hits for the network – he also made his frustration about the cancellation known. On top of that, he started manifesting a third uncancellation, saying, "I'm ready to go."

He mentioned Netlfix, and said various other networks like NBC and Fox are all “welcome to the barbecue too” to “flirt” with him. It’s not terribly unusual for shows to jump networks or platforms after being canceled. As shown by the fact that S.W.A.T. has been uncanceled twice before, there’s clearly an appetite for it, and it’s by no means impossible for it to continue somewhere other than CBS.

However, only time will tell on that front. For now, the procedural is set to end for good on its home network this spring.

So, in conclusion, Shemar Moore and the cast of S.W.A.T. “ain’t done,” as the actor said many times. However, if this is the end, for real, he thanked CBS for the run it let the show have.

Plus, they aren’t quite finished yet; a few episodes remain. So, to see how the show goes out (for now), you can catch S.W.A.T. on CBS at 10 p.m. ET or stream it the next day with a Paramount+ subscription.

Shemar Moore is not one to shy away from speaking up, as he previously got real about S.W.A.T.’s initial cancellation before CBS pulled a reversal in 2023. Now, the actor is speaking his mind again after reports of his breakup with girlfriend Jesiree Dizon surfaced. The duo welcomed their daughter, Frankie, in 2023, and after just recently celebrating her second birthday, Moore is getting real about his feelings regarding the reported breakup.

The S.W.A.T. actor and Dizon had been dating for five years, and just last week, Moore appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show, where he talked about how their daughter saved his life and how he and Dizon reconnected in recent years. Early Friday, though, he took to Instagram to share a video, confirming that he and Dizon broke up. While he wasn’t happy about the press releases about the split, he knew that was the price of fame, explaining:

Moore has been open about his relationship with Dizon and their little girl. He frequently talks about little Frankie and being a dad in his 50s, and he shares plenty of sweet photos of her on Instagram. But that’s only half of it. Moore praised Dizon for being a “phenomenal mother” to Frankie and her two kids from a previous relationship while also stating how he can always count on her. He stressed that they “love each other” and that won’t change too.

Additionally, the Criminal Minds alum addressed negative comments about the whole breakup, saying that it isn’t easy. However, he explained that he was looking for “joy,” “calm,” and “peace" too.

Moore went on to describe how he and Dizon will co-parent and said that things are just going to be a little different, but the kids are what matter:

If it wasn’t obvious before, Shemar Moore and Jesiree Dizon’s daughter is certainly the top priority for both of them. Moore previously addressed whether he’d have another kid in his 50s, saying he wanted to put all of his focus on Frankie but that it wasn’t completely out of the question. But it seems like their little one is enough for him, and it’s sweet to know that he and Dizon are still cordial and friendly and will co-parent together in a supportive and loving way.

At the very least, Moore is currently filming S.W.A.T., which should keep him occupied amid this tough time. However, the series had to pause production on more than one occasion because of the wildfires in Los Angeles. As for a ninth season of S.W.A.T., I am remaining optimistic because the show has been saved from cancellation twice, so 20-Squad may be sticking around.

As we learn more about Shemar Moore's personal and professional lives, we'll keep you posted. However, for now, it seems like he's trying to move forward and parent his kiddo as best he can amid this challenging time.

Although S.W.A.T. fans are still awaiting Season 8's January 31 return amid the 2025 TV schedule, it’s never too early to start thinking about its future. The CBS procedural was saved from cancellation not once, but twice, in less than a year, implying network execs don't want to see it go. With Season 8 being given a full 22-episode order, which is getting rarer these days, executive producer Shawn Ryan shared an update on where a potential Season 9 stands, and I’m cautiously optimistic about its chances.

When S.W.A.T. was initially announced to end after Season 6, it caused quite an uproar with fans and stars like Shemar Moore. Within days, CBS and Sony Television negotiated a 13-episode final season for 20-Squad., while Moore remained optimistic about Season 8 happening. CBS eventually surprised everyone a month ahead of what was meant to be the series finale with a renewal order, but could the same thing happen again?

Shawn Ryan, who co-developed S.W.A.T. with Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, told Deadline that the series has no trouble bringing in fans, even on the executive level, but the fandom is not where any worries lie.

Despite the fan outcry with the cancellations, there’s a good chance CBS wouldn’t have saved S.W.A.T. if it wasn’t so loved at the network itself. CBS President Amy Reisenbach even previously admitted she “personally” loves the show. While it does make me feel better knowing that those in charge of such decisions are behind the product, there is one key piece to it all that still makes me worry, and it’s why it’s not a guarantee that 20-Squad will see Season 9.

Skydance is in the midst of purchasing CBS’ parent company, Paramount Global, meaning there will be some transitions coming to all the brands, including the Eye Network. Things might be a little more complicated this time around when it comes to renewals because of the acquisition, but regardless, Ryan is remaining positive, whether it gets a renewal or fans continue watching, as he said:

Just like with any show awaiting renewal, the nerves are going to be on high until it’s confirmed whether S.W.A.T. is coming back or not. At the very least, the series would have a good chance of getting saved again, whether by CBS or another platform, given its track record. But it’s still uncertain where things will go. And there’s no telling when a decision will be made, but hopefully, it’s soon.

Meanwhile, the series will be returning this Friday from hiatus. Shemar Moore has been posting pictures of his daughter in the meantime, which is keeping fans occupied. There are still a lot of episodes to look forward to, maybe even including some former castmates, and fans will have to tune in, especially if they want more of S.W.A.T. The procedural returns this Friday, January 31 at its new time, 10 p.m. ET on CBS, streaming the next day with a Paramount+ subscription.

As S.W.A.T. remains on hiatus for another week, Shemar Moore has been keeping fans engaged by sharing photos of his baby daughter, Frankie. The actor and his girlfriend, Jesiree Dizon, welcomed little Frankie on January 24, 2023, and he has been quite open about life as a dad in his 50s. He’s also been open about fulfilling his late mother’s dreams of becoming a father, making it all the more sweet. Now, he's 54 with a 2-year-old, and he opened up about how his actual baby girl saved his life.

The actor appeared on The Jennifer Hudson Show on Friday to promote S.W.A.T.’s return on the 2025 TV schedule, and the former American Idol contestant couldn’t help but bring up Moore’s daughter, and I can’t say I blame her. And the actor, who was as happy as ever, was even happier to talk about her, revealing she was the source of his blissful joy:

Moore went on to explain that he and Dizon had reconnected and that his late mother’s dream was to be a grandmother. And between her and God, they made sure he wasn’t alone, he said. He also shared what they were doing for her second birthday, and you’d think he was more excited than Frankie. But he has a good reason, as he said that his baby was basically his everything:

He opened up more about what he meant with his sentiment, revealing just how much Frankie means to him and what it means to be a father, especially after his mother passed away. Even though he was thriving with his job and people still love him after all these years, bringing Frankie into the world gave him a whole new outlook on life:

Even though becoming a father in your 50s may not be for everyone, it’s clear that this is what Shemar Moore was meant to do, and it’s sweet to see how much he enjoys it. Plus, after becoming a father on both Criminal Minds and S.W.A.T., it was definitely time for it to happen IRL. He’s seemingly a natural at being a father, and while going through videos of Frankie during the interview, he got happy all over again.

That being said, would he want to become a father of two? Moore previously opened up about possibly having another child down the line. He also reiterated that statement on The Jennifer Hudson Show, saying that Dizon is already the mother of an 18-year-old and 6-year-old, they have a full house, and he doesn’t want to worry twice. So he's going to give all his love to his baby girl, which makes sense.

Meanwhile, as Moore continues to be a father to Frankie in real life, he is also continuing to be a father on S.W.A.T. Although the series hasn’t shown much of Hondo’s personal life since Rochelle Aytes departed for CBS’ new medical drama Watson, it still does occasionally bring it up, with Aytes recently making an appearance as well. So, Moore is living in bliss both on-screen and off, and it’s nice to see how happy he truly is.

Sadly, the California wildfires are still raging, and the city is trying to pick back up amid this massive natural disaster. The fires also caused production delays for shows like NCIS, Grey’s Anatomy, S.W.A.T. and more. Now, the aforementioned Shemar Moore-led CBS show is facing another pause because of a different fire.

At the start of January, thousands of people evacuated to safety and lost their homes in the fires, and many LA-based productions suspended filming, including S.W.A.T. This happened because of the Palisades and Eaton fires, which broke out on January 7.

According to Cal Fire, the Palisades Fire is 72% contained while the Eaton Fire is 95% contained. So, production on shows like S.W.A.T. resumed as firefighters continued to work to fully put out these fires. However, Moore's show specifically had to hit pause again, per Deadline, because of The Hughes wildfire.

The Hughes fire started on January 22, according to Cal Fire, and it’s over 10,000 acres big. Deadline noted that it broke out at 10:30 a.m. near Santa Clarita by Castaic Lake. By the early evening, it had expanded to 9,400 acres. It’s currently 14% contained, and it’s caused 31,000 evacuations and shut down part of the 5 freeway. S.W.A.T. films near there, and it had to pause its production due to this aggressive fire.

This update comes amid a pretty big shakeup of CBS’s Friday night lineup. Before the mid-season break, this primetime programming was made up of S.W.A.T., Fire Country and Blue Bloods. However, the Tom Selleck-led procedural came to an end in December. Now, the evening will run in this order: NCIS: Sydney, Fire Country and S.W.A.T.

However, the fires and other events have made it so this lineup has faced a few changes here and there. During the first week of January, the fire drama starring Max Thieriot delayed a rerun, and the NCIS spinoff aired an extra encore episode in its place. Then, NCIS: Sydney delayed its mid-season premiere due to a “soon-to-be-announced special.”

However, by February, all three shows should be airing new episodes weekly on the 2025 TV schedule.

It’s worth noting though that S.W.A.T.’s release plan could potentially be altered due to its two delays. However, at the time of this writing, we don’t know if any episodes will be pushed back. Currently, Shemar Moore’s show is scheduled to come back on Friday, January 31 at 10 p.m. ET.

If that changes, we’ll be sure to let you know. In the meantime, you can stream S.W.A.T. and the rest of CBS’s Friday night lineup with a Paramount+ subscription.

We here at CinemaBlend extend our condolences and well wishes to those impacted by the California wildfires. As we learn more about how the entertainment industry is impacted by them, we’ll keep you posted.

Shows are finally starting to make their returns on the 2025 TV schedule after their midseason breaks, but S.W.A.T.'s hiatus still has a few weeks to go. The CBS procedural won’t be back until January 31, and as I continue waiting for Season 8 to return, Shemar Moore is posting sweet photos of his daughter. And it’s seriously warming my heart.

The actor and his partner, Jesiree Dizon, welcomed their first daughter on January 24, 2023, and Moore has been showing off his baby girl Frankie frequently. It looks like that tendency is continuing into 2025 too. The actor took to his Instagram on January 2 to wish everyone a happy new year with little Frankie in tow, a.k.a. “DADDY’S BABY GIRL… PERIOD!!” and it’s as sweet as can be. Take a look:

While Moore became an on-screen father on Criminal Minds and S.W.A.T., seeing him as a dad IRL is even sweeter, and each time he shares a photo with his daughter my heart melts. The fact that he had a little girl and she is his one true “baby girl” makes it even better.

He’s been open about becoming a father in his 50s, and he is continuing to learn things as a parent at 54. However, it seems like he’s doing a pretty great job at being a dad and continuing to make us all swoon.

Now, when it comes to Moore's professional life and S.W.A.T., fans only have three more weeks until the series comes back, and the wait will certainly be worth it. There is still over half the season to go, and with 20-Squad looking a bit different with some new members, I'm sure Season 8 will continue to be super exciting. Plus, there is still a possibility that stars such as Alex Russell and Kenny Johnson, both of whom exited last season, could return, especially after Russell’s Street alluded to an engagement with Lina Esco’s Chris at the end of his final episode.

There is also something else to look forward to when S.W.A.T. comes back. After celebrating filming its 150^th episode last year, we'll finally get to see it, as it will be the midseason premiere. With the episode centering on a “dangerous enemy intent on revenge,” it’s going to be another intense one, and it’s hard to predict how things will go down. It’s nothing 20-Squad can’t handle, though.

Overall, Shemar Moore seems to love his life and work, and I love to see it all! So, as this historic episode of S.W.A.T. approaches and the actor continues to post about his daughter, I'll be over here trying to keep my heart still, because I love it all.

Now, fans can likely look forward to many more posts about little Frankie in the near future, which should keep us all occupied until S.W.A.T. returns on Friday, January 31 at its new time, 10 p.m. ET, on CBS.

As S.W.A.T. prepares to return for its eighth season on the 2024 TV schedule, the CBS procedural has a lot to celebrate. The series is making a comeback after being uncanceled for a second time and, ahead of Season 8, the cast and crew celebrated a major milestone of hitting 150 episodes. Shemar Moore gave one of his famous speeches to his colleagues about it too, which included him revealing that he almost said no to the part and reflecting on the show getting saved twice.

Earlier this week, the cast and crew gathered around a S.W.A.T.-themed cake to celebrate their milestone. Moore shared a video to Instagram of the speech he gave thanking everyone who works on the show and those who came before them, such as the original S.W.A.T. series and the films, check it out:

Moore also revealed in the speech that he initially passed on the show “because the money was shit.” However, it was a conversation with his mom that changed his mind, he said

Along with that, the actor felt the need to assure everyone that S.W.A.T. is not just him or a single person but an entire village. He even fought to have everyone on the initial poster since the network only wanted him.

Of course, he also felt the need to bring up being uncanceled twice, and it’s truly incredible to see that the show is now celebrating a big milestone despite being close to the end on more than one occasion. While the future is always uncertain, the Criminal Minds alum admitted he is committed to bringing the series to 10 seasons and 200 episodes, and it wouldn’t surprise me if that happens just two short years from now.

The 150^th celebration could not have come at a better time either, with S.W.A.T. returning for Season 8 the same week. It was announced back in April that the drama was uncanceled for the second time in less than a year, and filming kicked off over the summer. While the series will look a little different with some casting changes for Season 8, as Alex Russell and Kenny Johnson both departed last season, it’s still going to be a thrilling set of episodes.

Earlier this month as part of a CBS fall preview video, Shemar Moore also shared that he was “grateful” to be coming back for another season, and I couldn’t have said it better myself. Now that the series has hit 150 episodes when it very well could have ended at 128 episodes or 141, “grateful” is perhaps the best way to describe the feeling that we're getting more.

It’s very possible that S.W.A.T. could hit 200 episodes, and CBS President Amy Reisenbach previously shared that she personally enjoys Moore's show and was happy the network was able to renegotiate with Sony. So, hopefully, that mentality sticks for a while and the show continues to get renewed. However, while it's exciting to look toward the future, let's focus on the present, because S.W.A.T. Season 8 premieres on Friday, October 18 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

S.W.A.T. is gearing up for a comeback on the 2024 TV schedule with Season 8 after it was uncanceled for a second time. When the CBS procedural got a reverse cancellation last year, the show was picked up for a final seventh season consisting of 13 episodes. Shemar Moore was optimistic that another season would happen, and keeping that hope alive seemed to be a good idea because Season 8 eventually got the greenlight. Now, to describe that feeling, Moore shared two words to describe how he's feeling, and I'm right there with him.

CBS’ delayed premiere week is right around the corner, and to prepare, the network dropped a fun video (via TV Insider) of the casts previewing upcoming seasons of their shows. Fans got a brief glimpse at the eighth season of S.W.A.T. courtesy of Moore, and he explained what it feels like to be back for Season 8 with two words:

While it isn’t completely uncommon for a show to be saved from cancellation, as many shows have either been picked up by a different network or even saved by its own network, S.W.AT.'s situation is rare. That's because, on top of that second un-cancellation, CBS renewed it for a full 22-episode season. So, yeah, “grateful” is the most appropriate word to describe this.

In July when production kicked off on S.W.A.T. Season 8, Moore reflected on coming back from cancellation twice, telling his Instagram followers they fought the good fight and won. The series may look a little different following Alex Russell and Kenny Johnson’s departures last season, but it’s still going to be exciting to see 20-Squad back in action. There’s a reason CBS changed their minds not once but twice, and it’s still crazy to think about.

Along with his response to still being on air, Moore also teased new cast members. It's hard to predict how S.W.A.T. will evolve with new characters, including one played by Chicago Fire alum Annie Ilonzeh, but that's what will make it even more fun to watch. There’s also the possibility that Russell and Johnson could return later down the line, especially after showrunner Andrew Dettmann shared an unexpected Street and Chris update involving their potential on-screen wedding. Whatever the case may be, just the fact that S.W.A.T. is returning is great news, and I can't wait to see what they have planned.

S.W.A.T. has proven time and time again that it deserves to stay on the air, and seeing it come back for Season 8 is going to be as entertaining as ever. So, get ready folks because this exciting season that we're all grateful for premieres on Friday, October 18 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.

Production kicked off on S.W.A.T. Season 8 this past July, and 20 Squad is going to look a little different when the series returns in October. The twice-saved CBS procedural said goodbye to not one but two main characters during Season 7, which was thought to mark the show's end. With Street and Luca no longer in the mix, the team was struggling to find new members fit for the family. It's now known that one of those newcomers is Chicago Fire vet Annie Ilonzeh, who is discussing her new character and why Shemar Moore's Hondo recruited her.

It was previously announced that Annie Ilonzeh would recur as Devin Gamble, a “standout LAPD rookie” who left for Oakland due to a crime her father committed. Now that 20-Squad has some open spots, Hondo is tapping Gamble for the squad. Ilonzeh tells TV Insider just how far back the two characters go and, apparently, for Shemar Moore’s sergeant, this recruitment has been a long time coming:

In S.W.A.T.'s Season 7 finale (which wasn't changed due to the planned cancelation, Hondo addressed Commander Hicks about how he doesn’t just want people to fill his team. When it comes to any team he leads, he wants to make sure that a person is the right fit, as he wants 20-Squad to have a family dynamic in and out of the field.

Even before Hondo was leading the team, he knew he wanted Gamble to be part of it, which shows right off the bat just how special she is. There’s also the fact that Devin is a “badass and works her ass off. She can shoot. She’s super dope. She’s athletic,” according to Annie Ilonzeh. With that combined femininity and masculinity, she sounds like she could bring a lot to the team.

It sounds like fans will learn more about Gable's backstory with each episode and see how she meshes with the rest of the team. The Arrow alum also revealed that her S.W.A.T. character will have an interesting dynamic with one particular character on the long-running procedural:

It’s intriguing to hear that Deacon will bond with Gamble, in a way, especially since he was initially going to retire from 20-Squad at the end of Season 7. As a fan, I'm looking forward to seeing them bond over their fathers, especially since there isn’t too much that fans know about Deacon’s parents. While his father is likely not a known criminal, it sounds like there are some similarities and possibly open wounds from Deacon’s childhood.

S.W.A.T. has certainly entered a new era, and I'm eager to see if Hondo's decision to bring Devin into the fold proves to be the right move. Fans will soon see what the character is all about when Season 8 premieres on Friday, October 18 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS as part of the 2024 TV schedule. In the meantime, you can catch up on episodes using a Paramount+ subscription.

While there are plenty of shows canceled or ending in 2024, S.W.A.T. is no longer on that list. The CBS procedural received a surprise Season 8 renewal in April, following a cancelation last year, which was actually the series' second cancelation. It still feels like a dream because it was so sudden, but it’s happening, and production has started, so Shemar Moore is reflecting on the two-time uncanceled series.

Ahead of production starting on S.W.A.T. Season 8 on July 15, Moore took to his Instagram to update his followers that he was prepping to go back into Hondo mode all because they fought and didn’t give up. And it just goes to show what happens when you remain hopeful and optimistic. He wrote:

Even after it seemed like S.W.A.T. would truly end with Season 7, Moore held out hope that S.W.A.T. could still be saved, and of course, he was right. He also reflected on everything else going on in the world in terms of social media and cancelation culture, revealing why he hasn’t been online as often lately. However, he made sure that fans knew that he sees all of the love and support. Check out his full video below:

It’s certainly not unprecedented for a show to be saved after cancelation, but it’s rare for it to happen more than once. Thanks to the fans, 20-Squad lives to see more intense calls and cases, and it’s going to be exciting to see what happens. The series has started production, with much of the cast already posting pictures from set. Jay Harrington, who plays Sergeant David “Deacon” Kay, shared the first selfie of Season 8 on Instagram featuring Moore, David Lim, Anna Enger Ritch, newly minted series regular Niko Pepaj, and 20-Squad’s newest member, Chicago Med alum Annie Ilonzeh:

Since S.W.A.T. went through some major casting changes last season, with Alex Russell and Kenny Johnson both exiting, the series had to find some new replacements. It is always possible that the two could return as Street and Luca, respectively, especially since they had open endings, so who knows what could go down? At the very least, it seems like the team is as ready as ever to take down more criminals, and the new additions will be a fun change.

Season 8 of S.W.A.T. isn’t technically the final season, as CBS never revealed that it was renewing the procedural for one more season when Season 8 was announced. Additionally, the upcoming season will have a full 22 episodes, so S.W.A.T.’s future is as bright as ever. Fans will just have to tune in on Friday, October 18 at 8 p.m. ET as part of the 2024 TV schedule on CBS to make sure that the twice-canceled series doesn’t get canceled a third time.

Like fellow hunky Hollywood stars Paul Rudd and Mario Lopez, S.W.A.T.’s Shemar Moore basically looks as if he’s only aged a few years in the past several decades. But he’d probably be the first to say he’s no medical anomaly, and is certainly feeling his age over a year after becoming a father at 52, on top of heading up a network action drama that’s twice gone through a reversed cancellation and subsequent renewal. So does he think there could be another bitty baby in his future with partner Jesiree Dizon?

Sounds like Moore’s answer can be filed under “Certainly possible, if not imminently likely.” When speaking to People about potentially building out his family, the actor left the door open while also pointing out that door already has quite a few important people walking through it. In his words:

Perhaps if Moore and Dizon's homelife consisted solely of their daughter Frankie, he might feel slightly different about bringing another newborn into existence. But even if the 17-year-old son would theoretically move out at 18, having a grade-school kid and a pet on top of a toddler is no breezy feat for parents of any age. Even one who can still brag about his abs the way that Moore can.

And age is something that Shemar Moore has to take into account, having reflected in April 2024 on learning things as a 54-year-old dad. Calling back to his own childhood with late mother Marilyn Wilson-Moore, whom he still pays tribute to each year, he offered another reason why he's less likely to have another child at this stage of his life, saying:

Though that sentiment does have a sense of melancholy attached, Shemar Moore's message is also one of the sweetest and most loving feelings a father can have about their child. And it would certainly be no sour grapes for li'l Frankie to keep all of her proud papa's adoration to herself.

Just weeks before he turned 54, Shemar Moore was able to celebrate S.W.A.T. being saved from cancellation again after fans were once again led to believe it would be joining all the TV shows ending this year. No clue whether or not Hondo will still be taking down bad guys by the time Frankie is old enough to watch the show, but it will if Moore has anything to say about it.

All S.W.A.T. is currently available to stream with a Paramount+ subscription.

Criminal Minds: Evolution has premiered its second season for Paramount+ subscribers, and the mind-bending stakes are as intense as ever. Now, with the series in its overall 17th season, many fans are still hoping for the return of some of their favorite characters that aren’t part of the main cast of the revival. And while we need to accept that Shemar Moore may not be returning as Derek Morgan, Paget Brewster recently shared a very sweet and supportive text from him about the show's return.

Before Moore played Hondo on the twice-saved S.W.A.T., he played FBI Special Agent Derek Morgan for the first 11 seasons of Criminal Minds. While it was hard to get used to not hearing Morgan calling Garcia “baby girl” every episode, he has remained close to the cast. In celebration of Evolution Season 2 premiering, Brewster shared a sweet post on X (formerly known as Twitter) that proved that too, as she revealed a text she received from her former co-star and how grateful she is to have him and the fans in her life:

Moore didn’t even have to say anything, as he was just inclined to share a photo of a billboard he saw, and it's so sweet. It wouldn’t be surprising if that isn’t the first supportive text Brewster has gotten from him for Evolution. There’s a reason that Criminal Minds’ original run went so long, and that is because of the cast and their chemistry. The fans, of course, were also responsible, as Brewster mentioned in her post, but that bond between the cast is truly unbreakable.

Shemar Moore left Criminal Minds after Season 11 to star in the then-new CBS series S.W.A.T. On the show, though, Morgan wanted to leave the BAU in order to spend more time with his wife and baby. He did return to the series a few times to guest star, but as of now, he has yet to come back for Evolution. Despite leaving the Criminal Minds universe, it looks like he is still close to the cast, and it has me in my feels.

Speaking of S.W.A.T., also included in the screenshot of the text was Paget Brewster congratulating him on the series. The procedural was picked up for Season 8 in April, despite being picked up last year for a seventh and final season following a reverse cancellation. The show will be part of the 2024 TV schedule once again in the fall when the new season premieres. It’s definitely a big time for both casts and seeing all of the support is truly lovely.

The first three episodes of Criminal Minds: Evolution Season 2 are currently streaming on one of the best streaming services, Paramount+, with new episodes dropping on Thursdays. The support will surely continue between Brewster and Moore, but hopefully, with a third season of Evolution happening, Moore might return to the BAU, even if it’s just briefly.

2023 and 2024 provided nearly as stressful a 12-month stretch as possible for the cast, crew and fanbase of CBS’ S.W.A.T., as the action-packed Shemar Moore drama was technically set to end with its sixth season finale, then its seventh, only to be saved and renewed for a Season 8 return later in the 2024 TV schedule. And while making those kinds of decisions is no walk in the park, it’s the kind of stress that actually excites CBS Entertainment president Amy Reisenbach.

Speaking at the Banff World Media Festival in Alberta, Canada, the CBS head honcho talked about the network’s impending future and already crafting TV schedule blueprints for the 2026-2027 season, and shedding the traditional pilot season process. Going against the grain in such a way is part of the mindset that led to a high-profile broadcast drama going through the ups and downs of two cancellations and two semi-surprise renewals.

Reisenbach said she enjoys being in a competitive situation that allows her to vie for worthy projects. In her words:

As it’s indicated by her explanation, S.W.A.T.’s seemingly doomed fate wasn’t entirely up to Amy Reisenbach (who landed the Prez promotion in November 2022), and came down largely to negotiating with Sony Pictures Television, whose initial refusal to budge on the S.W.A.T.’s licensing fee has been the main issue. It’s not entirely clear at this point what agreements were made that led to the drama securing another full 22-episode order, but it presumably speaks to the network boss’ competitive nature.

S.W.A.T.’s fate first came into question ahead of the May 2023 cancellation bloodbath, and it was sure enough revealed to be ending, with financial reasons being the cause. Only a few days later, CBS reversed the decision, and the drama subsequently landed on Netflix and started crushing it, which possibly gave all involved more confidence about bringing it back.

Of course, that renewal was for a “final season,” so the worried talks started all over again early in 2024, with a highly confident Shemar Moore saying he believed it would continue. He was proven right in mid-April when CBS once again flipped its decision, this time leaving things open-ended. And it’s a good thing, too, since the Season 7 finale was written with a continuation in mind, so it might have left fans angry had the renewal not been announced ahead of time.

For all that she enjoys the process, especially when the best outcome possible surfaces, that’s obviously not always the case, seeing as how CBS canceled some big shows this year like So Help Me Todd and NCIS: Hawai’i, among others. Here’s how Amy Reisenbach expressed that dismay:

CBS will certainly have a full schedule to contend with in Fall 2024 and beyond, so stay tuned for more info about where Shemar Moore’s Hondo & Co. will be headed in Season 8, and stream past episodes with a Paramount+ subscription.

The S.W.A.T. Season 7 finale has come and gone and, considering how it ended, fans would have been fuming if the cancellation held up. Luckily, there is more on the way as CBS recently gave the procedural a surprise renewal, which marks its second in less than a year. Even though the series hasn’t been all butterflies and rainbows, Shemar Moore is still celebrating the fact that Season 8 is officially a go. With that, the star marked the occasion with a sweet behind-the-scenes video, with which he thanked the fans -- or the "fam."

What’s Going On With S.W.A.T Season 8?

It's funny to think that not too long ago, S.W.A.T. was listed as one of the many shows ending and canceled in 2024. However, that all changed in April when CBS uncanceled it once again. It'll air on CBS this fall as part of the 2024 TV schedule, and Season 8 will have a full 22 episode count. That's number is honestly surprising, since Season 7 was only given 13 episodes to wrap up the series.

There are also some other changes that viewers should take note of. Season 7 said goodbye to Alex Russell (Jim Street) and Kenny Johnson (Dominique Luca), and it’s hard to tell whether or not they’ll come back. The good news is that Street and Luca didn't die, so there’s always the possibility. All in all, the Season 7 finale quite the banger and answered some questions while leaving some plot threads unresolved. So there should still be a lot to look forward to with 20-Squad come this fall. 

But, in the meantime, there's reason to celebrate, given that more installments are on the way. With that, one can't help but appreciate how the show's leading man commemorated the latest uncancellation.

How Shemar Moore Celebrated The Surprise Renewal From CBS

Following S.W.A.T.’s initial cancellation last year, Shemar Moore was very open about his thoughts on it and was as happy as ever after it was saved. He subsequently remained optimistic that Season 7 would not be the last and, sure enough, he turned out to be correct. In celebration of last Friday’s season finale, which was supposed to be the series finale, Moore took to Instagram to share a fun BTS video of a car chase from the episode. Check it out:

Of course, the actor also made sure to tell his followers that they will be back this fall for Season 8. He definitely isn't the only one celebrating, as fans have been voicing their excitement as well. When it comes to canceled shows, sometimes viewers shouldn't give up all hope, because there may be a chance it could be revived. And, ahead of the new episodes, I hope Shemar Moore and co. take some time to relax and celebrate even more.

Following the summer hiatus, fans will be able to tune into S.W.A.T. on Fridays this fall on CBS. In the meantime, Netflix subscribers can watch the first six seasons, while Paramount+ subscribers have the seventh season available to them.

While there are many shows ending or canceled in 2024, S.W.A.T. will no longer be one of them. The CBS procedural was surprisingly uncanceled -- for the second time in less than a year. However, with much of Season 7 being promoted as the final run for 20-Squad, some stories were wrapped up prior to the finale. That being said, Shemar Moore previously revealed that the upcoming finale would remain unchanged and that it not only wraps up stories but leaves doors open within the narrative. Now, his co-star, Jay Harrington, is further explaining why it was the right choice. 

One of the stories that the series has been aiming to wrap up involves the retirement of Jay Harrington's character, David  "Deacon" Kay. The sergeant made the decision in recent episodes to put S.W.A.T. behind him but has still somewhat been on the fence about it. While it’s still unknown what his character's future holds, Harrington teased TV Insider in regard to how the finale is crafted and what's in store:

Even after S.W.A.T.’s first uncancelation last year, Shemar Moore was openly optimistic about the show’s future. And, since the writers decided to go with a more open-ended finale this time around, they may have felt the same. With that in mind, one gets the idea that while stories have already been concluded for this season -- such as Street and Luca’s exits from the team -- there’s a possibility that those previously loose ends could be undone once more. All in all, I'd agree that the creative team went down the right path when approaching this episode thematically.

With Season 8 consisting of 22 episodes, it’s clear that there are still plenty of other stories to tell about 20-Squad. The group will be looking a little bit different next season given cast exits, but I'm just glad the show itself is coming back. Details are, of course, being kept under wraps but, right now, Jay Harrington has revealed what he hopes to see in future installments:

If the show had remained canceled, the finale would've left fans fuming because of how open it was. Usually, a proper series closer completely wraps storylines and gives characters conclusions, thus giving the audience closure The fact that the writers were still going all in on a "life goes on" finale even after being told they were only getting one more season, speaks volumes. Here's hoping the episode is indeed a banger and firmly sets the table for Shemar Moore's, Jay Harrington's and their co-stars' characters in Season 8.

Luckily it won’t be long until fans get to see the S.W.A.T. season finale, as it airs on Friday, May 17 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS as part of the 2024 TV schedule. Those who want to catch up on episodes before then can do so by streaming them with a Paramount+ subscription.

It’s not every day that a show is saved from cancellation by its own network, and it’s even rarer when it happens twice. With CBS’ S.W.A.T. getting a surprise renewal after Season 7 was meant to be the last, some fans may be anxious to see what's in store for the season's final episode, which was originally meant to close out the series. Shemar Moore has been open about his optimism for more installments, and he’s now revealing how "smart" the producers were about handling what would've been the final episode, which sounds bombastic.

Over the last several months, the lead actor has been very open about his thoughts on the procedural ending and was holding on to hope that Season 7 wasn’t the last. Since the season finale was initially treated as a series finale, the episode is as big as ever. While at the CBS Fall Schedule Celebration, Shemar Moore told Deadline just how massive the finale is and how it will proceed in true S.W.A.T. nature:

It honestly wouldn’t be a S.W.A.T. episode without the explosions, big action sequences, car/motorcycle chases and the like, especially when it comes to a season finale. So, while the upcoming season capper would have served as a series finale if not for the surprise renewal, it’s nice to know that it would have gone out with a huge bang. And, honestly, I wouldn’t have expected anything less.

That being said, despite the fact that this time last month, Season 7 was going to be the last, that doesn’t mean that the finale won’t set up what's to come. While many creative teams tie up loose ends when placed in situations like these, they also manage to leave the door open for future developments in many respects. According to Shemar Moore, the upcoming season finale did drop some bread crumbs for future installlments:

Considering Season 7 has already said goodbye to Alex Russell and Kenny Johnson and has also seemingly said farewell to Jay Harrington, 20-Squad is starting to look like a mix of the OGs and newbies. With this “new beginning” for the show, it’s very possible that fans might be looking at a new 20-Squad by the time Season 8 rolls around. However, that doesn’t mean they can’t look forward to former cast members returning. Either way, it’s going to be exciting to see how the finale sets up Season 8 and whether or not fans would have really been upset if the series stayed canceled.

The Season 7 finale of S.W.A.T. airs on May 17 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS as part of the 2024 TV schedule. Fans can catch up on past installments using a Paramount+ subscription, and read up on shows that are truly ending or have been canceled this year.

Shemar Moore is living his best life right now! Not only was S.W.A.T. un-canceled again, but he’s thriving personally too, specifically as a father. In January 2023, Moore’s daughter was born, and now the actor has opened up about turning 54, having a little one at home, and his hope that his late mother is proud of him. 

Along with chatting about how “proud” he is of his show and its un-cancellation, Moore got personal, giving ET the details about his 54th birthday – which was April 20 – and how life with his little one is going. Giving props to his partner Jesiree Dizon, he gave this sweet update about his daughter Frankie:

Isn’t that sweet? I love that they’re all learning sign language together, and it sounds like Moore is truly in awe of his daughter. That thought was confirmed quickly in the interview too as the actor provided candid insight into how his little one has changed his outlook on life. Explaining why she’s his “little miracle,” the Hondo actor said:

I love that being a dad has been such a transformative experience. Plus it reiterates the inspirational and uplifting mindset that was shown in the quote above, which he has about topics like parenting and his physicality in his 40s compared to his 50s. 

Along with these sweet comments, Moore talked about turning 54, training for S.W.A.T. and he got candid about Season 8’s renewal and what it takes to make this show. He also opened up about keeping up with his little one, saying that along with learning sign language, he’s constantly following Frankie around the house, adorably playing with her. He said: 

Finally, at the end of the interview, when presented with a cupcake and a candle, Moore sweetly gave a little tribute to his loved ones, specifically his daughter, partner and late mother, saying: 

Speaking of Moore’s mom, earlier in the year, he spoke with the same outlet about fatherhood and how Frankie was his mother’s dream. Adding meaning to the more recent quotes, the Criminal Minds alum said:

Moore has always been open about the fact that his “Momma’s dream” was for him to be a father. As he said in his birthday speech, he hopes she’s proud, and I’m sure she is. 

It truly seems like Shemar Moore is thriving in every sense of the word right now. His show is set to return to the 2024 TV schedule for another season, he’s celebrating his 54th birthday, and life with his daughter seems to make him incredibly happy.

As we learn more about Shemar Moore’s life as a father, we’ll be sure to keep you posted. To see what he’s up to professionally, you can catch new episodes of S.W.A.T. every Friday at 8 p.m. ET on CBS or you can stream them the next day with a Paramount+ subscription. 

It’s been quite an emotional rollercoaster for Shemar Moore and the rest of the cast of S.W.A.T., the CBS crime procedural based in Los Angeles. Twice now the show has been canceled and then saved by the network, and as it inches closer to its Season 7 finale, Moore got real about the recent renewal. It turns out the psychological effects of the show's seemingly always-uncertain fate aren’t the only thing affecting its cast, but there’s apparently a pretty intense physical aspect too.

Up until a couple of weeks ago, the CBS drama was thought to be one of 2024’s canceled TV shows, with fans under the impression they were watching its seventh and final season. And, while Shemar Moore couldn’t have been more grateful to the fans when S.W.A.T. was saved from cancellation a second time, he also made mention that filming that show is “no joke” physically. Apparently, it takes quite a bit of work to pull off those action sequences and realistic explosions. The actor told ET: 

If anybody’s up to the task, though, it would be Shemar Moore. The Young and the Restless alum proved that age is just a number, at least where his abs are concerned, when he showed exactly how kind time has been to him. It sounds like we might have S.W.A.T. to thank for helping him keep that chiseled look into his 50s.

He may be tired, but he’s by no means upset that his series will receive an eighth season. In fact, Shemar Moore still couldn’t quite believe that this was happening again, as he said:

There’s no doubt that what the cast has been through is both physically and emotionally exhausting. The series, which premiered in 2017, was initially set to end after Season 6; however, it was rescued from cancellation in 2023, just as the series became available to those with a Netflix subscription.

The procedural dominated on Netflix, and Shemar Moore has shown gratitude for the streamer's fans, who he said were helping to prove that S.W.A.T. was “here to stay,” despite Season 7 being advertised as its last. Moore never did seem to believe it was over, and even before the current season started, he called himself an “optimist,” saying he wasn’t quite sure it was the end.

Who were we to ever doubt Hondo anyway, because he turned out to be correct. As tough as the show may be to shoot, Shemar Moore doesn't have any complaints about S.W.A.T. getting an eighth season. That should go for fans, too, because it sounds like the upcoming Season 7 finale would have left them fuming if that’s how the series ended.

Tune in to see what that means, as new episodes of S.W.A.T. air at 8 p.m. ET Fridays on CBS and can be streamed the next day with a Paramount+ subscription. The first six seasons are available on Netflix. 

S.W.A.T. managed to survive cancellation twice, and news about it getting a Season 8 came just a month before the Season 7 finale, which many thought would also be the series finale. Let me tell you, this is a great thing too, because, despite CBS promoting Season 7 as the final season following its first reverse cancellation, resurfaced quotes make me think the upcoming finale would have made fans really upset if a renewal didn’t happen.

What Kenny Johnson Said About S.W.A.T.'s Finale Before Season 8 Renewal 

Prior to the surprise renewal, Kenny Johnson spoke to TVLine ahead of his departure as Dominique Luca. He admitted that he had read the script for what they thought was the “series finale” at the time, and he explained that it actually left the door pretty open:

Usually, with a series finale, storylines are wrapped up, and even if there might be questions, there is closure for the characters. However, for S.W.A.T., even Shemar Moore was keeping an open mind about its future, which could be why there were still some loose threads in the finale. Despite the season setting up the end for some characters, such as Street, Luca, and even Deacon, Johnson shared that the end is not set in stone for everyone:

S.W.A.T. has said goodbye to Alex Russell’s Street with him going to Long Beach, and it also said so long to Luca, who had to bow out due to a career-ending injury. It has also been setting up Jay Harrington’s Deacon to retire, so fans might have assumed that these remaining episodes would continue to set up the characters to either move beyond S.W.A.T. or stay with the team. However, it seems like that is not the case.

Why Fans Would Have Been Frustrated After the Finale

Since the finale is leaving the door open for more, if a renewal hadn’t happened, it likely would have made fans even more upset. Any show being canceled is definitely disappointing, but when the finale either leaves off on a cliffhanger or doesn’t include any sort of closure, then the cancellation feels even worse. 

Not knowing where the characters are going would have definitely been upsetting. It does sound like many of the cast and crew were really hoping for a renewal, and it’s a good thing. Now, we don't need to worry about S.W.A.T. ending with an open door and questions. Instead, we'll be able to walk through this door into Season 8, where we'll get to see our favorite stories continue.  

The season finale of S.W.A.T. won’t be premiering until May 17, so fans will have to wait and watch for themselves to see if they are left satisfied or itching for Season 8. Then, the wait will begin for the next installment's premiere on the 2024 TV schedule later this year. And while that wait for the next season will be brutal, knowing that 20-Squad is coming back will be well worth it. 

New episodes of S.W.A.T. air on Fridays at 8 p.m. ET on CBS, and you can stream them the next day with a Paramount+ subscription.

After many highs and lows over the years, S.W.A.T.'s journey on CBS has just hit another high: despite previously being one of many shows set to end in 2024, the Shemar Moore-led series has been saved yet again. While not many shows will get a reprieve from cancellation twice, the star called it months ago that his series might not end after Season 7 in the 2024 TV schedule after all. Far from boasting about being right with the Season 8 renewal, he wasted no time in sharing an extremely grateful response.

Yes, S.W.A.T. will return for Season 8 as part of CBS' lineup in the 2024-2025 TV season. While CBS had already renewed shows like NCIS and the FBIs this spring, S.W.A.T.'s is the one that comes as a shocker, after it was set to end following the seventh season. On Instagram, Shemar Moore shared a video of a speech about the show being a "dream job" while speaking to the cast and crew before breaking the very good news. Take a look:

Shemar Moore may not be racing his co-star at the Season 7 wrap party, but he and the rest now have 22 more episodes – a.k.a. a full broadcast network season – to look forward to. For now, if you want to revisit earlier episodes of the current season, you can find them streaming with a Paramount+ subscription.

The S.W.A.T. news isn't just remarkable because not many shows reach eight seasons nowadays or that it had been cancelled to end with Season 7. No, this was S.W.A.T.'s second save from cancellation, after CBS previously axed the series after Season 6 back in 2023. That cancellation was later followed by the announcement of a seventh and final season and arrival streaming for fans with a Netflix subscription. Now, onward from Season 7 to Season 8!

Based on the numbers, it's not hard to see why the network would want to give S.W.A.T. another shot. Airing on Fridays at 8 p.m. ET ahead of Fire Country, the show wins the time slot in viewership and currently ranks #17 on the list of Top 20 primetime broadcast dramas with 6.1 million. S.W.A.T. also gets a big boost in delayed viewership, with 8.8 million viewers in Live+35 day multiplatform totals. Basically? Not many shows would do so well on a Friday night, and it's no wonder Shemar Moore's prediction about Season 8 came true.

The Season 8 news also comes after CBS Entertainment President Amy Reisenbach explained in early 2024 why shows like S.W.A.T., Young Sheldon, and Blue Bloods were getting one last season after their ends were announced. Who could have known at the time that S.W.A.T. would be removed from that list within just a couple of months?

While the 2024 TV season was shortened due to delays from the WGA writers strike and SAG-AFTRA actors strike, Season 7 isn't over yet. New episodes continue airing on Fridays at 8 p.m. ET on CBS, with the seventh season finale scheduled for Friday, May 17. I'm curious to see if it will end with all (or most) of its loose ends tied up since the season finale was intended as the series finale, or if there was enough time left before filming the episode that it doesn't have to feel like the end. Keep tuning in to find out!

To most of the world at large, the CBS drama S.W.A.T. is one of many shows ending in 2024, with its Season 7 premiere arriving just after Valentine’s Day. The drama was canceled back in May 2023, sparking an angry reaction from star Shemar Moore, and was then “renewed” for a final season just as it became available to stream with a Netflix subscription. Moore still isn’t necessarily aligned with that way of thinking, though, as he’s spouting optimism about the future, and his reasoning makes a bit of sense. 

Ahead of Season 7’s arrival on the 2024 TV schedule, Shemar Moore spoke with Entertainment Tonight about kicking things off in Mexico City, and how this season will be a satisfying swan song if that ends up being how things play out. And that’s a big if for the Criminal Minds vet, who had this to say:

I love how Moore uses “the word on the street” to describe what was a fairly formal and publicized cancellation from CBS, as if it was more of a whispered rumor. Which makes me think S.W.A.T.’s cast and crew didn’t spend a whole lot of time talking about or mourning the impending conclusion. Which would probably be the most ideal way to remain in the moment while filming. 

For all that he and David Lim and other co-stars have loved bringing the show together on a weekly basis, the most important thing from a network perspective is viewership and reach, which is why Moore’s comment about numbers mattering is key. We'll dig a bit more into the numbers below, but that he brought them up at all indicates how aware he is of how closely execs are paying attention to such stats.

Moore continued, to the point where he straight up confirmed knowledge of attempts being made to save the show. As he put it:

One of S.W.A.T.'s biggest bargaining chips following the first cancellation was the drama's arrival on Netflix, where it quickly became a big winner, reaching #1 on the streaming service's Top 10 TV shows. Other series' fates have definitely been decided based on streaming popularity, sometimes with Netflix itself being the one to save canceled shows like Lucifer and Manifest.

But even if Ted Sarandos & Co. aren't the ones to show interest, I still think S.W.A.T.'s stats from Netflix, CBS, Paramount+ and every other viewing platform will be highly valuable in convincing other networks/studios to step in and keep Team Hondo living large and in charge.

Having released the first look at new episodes recently, S.W.A.T. Season 7 will premiere on CBS on Friday, February 16, at 8:00 p.m. ET, with new episodes available to stream with a Paramount+ subscription.

The end of the 2023 TV season was a lot for our favorite Friday night shows on CBS. From Fire Country’s freshman season ending on a massive cliffhanger to the drama surrounding S.W.A.T. getting canceled after Season 6 and then un-canceled for a seventh and final season, we went through it with these beloved procedurals. Now, after months of waiting, both shows are set to return to the 2024 TV schedule on February 16. To prepare for these premieres, CinemaBlend got an exclusive look at some of the key art for Season 2 of Fire Country and S.W.A.T. Season 7, and they have left me with some big questions about Max Thieriot and Shemar Moore’s shows. 

Shemar Moore Looks Ready To Go, But What Will The Final Season Of S.W.A.T. Look Like

Due to the actors’ and writers' strikes delaying production, many shows are getting shortened seasons this year, because they weren’t able to go shoot time for a fall premiere. This includes the final season of S.W.A.T., which will get 13 episodes for its seventh and final season. Knowing this, I can’t help but wonder: while this photo shows Shemar Moore ready to go on another mission, how will they wrap up the show in such a short amount of time?

At the end of Season 6, the crew captured Sancho Zamora and Hondo proposed to Nichelle. A lot went down personally and professionally, leaving a big door open for what’s to come in Season 7. 

Knowing it’s the final set of episodes, I’m hoping we get a wedding and more high-octane action. Based on the premiere’s description, it sounds like Hondo and co. will be going on a mission that is steeped in S.W.A.T. history. Titled “The Promise,” the premiere will send Shemar Moore’s character on a journey to fulfill a promise he made years ago, which sounds like a great story to end this show on.

While we don’t know how S.W.A.T. will complete its story, it sounds like what's coming is epic and the perfect way to close out the series that will keep fans thrilled up to the final minutes.

Fire Country’s Key Art Seems To Allude To Bode Getting Out Of Prison

Ever since Fire Country’s wild Season 1 ending that left Bode in prison and his loved ones wondering what just happened, I’ve been theorizing about how he’ll get out and back to Edgewater. 

While I have lots of questions about Fire Country’s Season 2 return, specifically when it comes to Bode’s future, one thing that seems obvious is he’ll find a way to get back to his hometown. 

Now, while this key art doesn't tell us how he’ll get out and the first image (above) shows him in a prison jumpsuit, the second image might be more telling, take a look:

As you can see, Max Thieriot’s character is featured front and center with the Fire Country cast behind him, and he’s wearing fire gear. This seemingly alludes to Bode getting back to Three Rock somehow, which is something I’ve been pondering for months. 

On top of this massive question about our leading man, these photos also tease a deadly fire coming to Edgewater. In the upper corner of both, you can see a plane dumping water. Typically, these aircraft are used during wildfires, which means there’s likely a major disaster coming for the town that the firefighters will need to stop. It also means we might be getting a new character in whoever is flying that airplane. 

Of course, all this is just me theorizing, however, I can’t help but think about how these two fun posters hint at what’s to come in the hotly anticipated second season of Fire Country. 

Overall, both these new looks at Season 7 of S.W.A.T. and Season 2 of Fire Country have me so excited for their premieres on Friday, February 16 at 8 p.m. ET and 9 p.m. ET, respectively. To get a recap on what went down in the previous installments of these shows, you can stream them with a Paramount+ subscription, and then you’ll be ready to roll when new episodes begin airing on CBS. 

What do actors and models have in common? Well, for the most part, having “the look” will get you in the door in either profession rather quickly. However, for the purposes of the list you’re about to peruse, it just so happens that these Hollywood stars managed to work both sides of that scenario. And as expected, these models-turned-actors have done so with style. 

Mark Wahlberg

Before starring in movies ranging from Boogie Nights to The Family Plan, Mark Wahlberg was known as a rapper and a Calvin Klein model. Showing off his buff body in underwear ads helped give the aspiring star his start in the entertainment industry, with Mark shifting into acting just as his boy-band brother Donnie eventually did. 

Rebecca Romijn

In a career that saw her on Vogue magazine covers and in Victoria’s Secret campaigns, Rebecca Romijn put the “super” in “supermodel.” And then, in a move that only further strengthened that statement, she took her first acting gig as Mystique in X-Men, kickstarting a career that’s led to such fantastic parts as that of Number One on Star Trek: Strange New Worlds. 

Tyrese Gibson

Ads for Coca-Cola, Guess, and Tommy Hilfiger had Tyrese Gibson primed for stardom, and gigs on TV shows like Hangin’ with Mr. Cooper and Martin soon followed. But depending on who you ask, it was either Baby Boy or 2 Fast 2 Furious that caused Gibson’s star to rise to the heights it’s at today. 

Halle Berry

It’s no surprise that Halle Berry did some modeling in her entertainment career, as her beauty has always been well renowned. But rather than going for traditional ad campaign work, the future star of X-Men and James Bond movies was a contestant in both the Miss USA and Miss World pageants. 

Jamie Dornan

Prepare for a rollercoaster ride, folks. Jamie Dornan, actor known for everything from Fifty Shades of Grey to A Haunting in Venice, was not only a model…he was part of a reality show that helped get him the gig. Channel 4’s Model Behaviour led to some gigs with Abercrombie & Fitch and Tommy Hilfiger, which eventually made way for Dornan to be discovered by Sofia Coppola’s Marie Antoinette. 

Cara Delevingne

We’ve seen Cara Delevingne do everything from John Green adaptations like Paper Towns to DCEU juggernauts such as Suicide Squad. And with a foundation of modeling for Vogue Italia, Tory Burch, and Donna Karan under her belt, the American Horror Story: Delicate star never really gave up her day job, as her modeling continued along with her acting efforts.

Channing Tatum

There was probably a time when people staring at random Armani ads featuring Channing Tatum thought, “I wonder if he can act?” With a resume that has titles like Magic Mike, 21 Jump Street, and Foxcatcher  to boast about, it’s probably safe to say that the answer is a confident “Yes!”

Jaime King

As a young model, Jaime King saw herself making a splash with Vogue, Seventeen, and pretty much any other fashion publication of note you could think of. 2001’s Happy Campers was all it took to help her jump into the acting world, which saw her play some impressive parts in Sin City’s screen adaptation, Fox’s The O.C., and even the voice of Solus Prime in the series Transformers: Power of the Primes.

Shemar Moore

S.W.A.T. star and all around heartthrob Shemar Moore actually had his own moment in the spotlight of modeling. Through catalog jobs with Macy’s and magazine shoots for GQ, among other opportunities, this man of action continues to engage in some modeling here and there; which only brings his fans that much more joy. 

Devon Aoki

Movie fans might recognize Devon Aoki from her standout roles in both Sin City and 2 Fast 2 Furious, but believe it or not her modeling career is the stronger of the two streams she’s dipped her toes into. Brands and magazines alike have showcased her talents in the industry, with Balenciaga and Harper’s Bazaar calling themselves a part of her storied body of work.

James Marsden

Jury Duty and Sonic the Hedgehog star James Marsden feels like the type of guy that’d be a model, right? How couldn’t he, with a smile like that? Well, if the world didn’t know it before his 2011 interview on Ellen, Ms. DeGeneres helped bring that aspect of his career to light; along with the pictures to prove it.

Gal Gadot

Jaguar, Maxim, and Gucci are only some of the brands and publications that Fast Saga star Gal Gadot has modeled for. This Heart of Stone lead eventually saw herself courted by Hollywood in the early-Aughts, thanks to auditions for Quantum of Solace that saw Gal compete with Olga Kurylenko for the role of Bond woman Camille. 

Antonio Sabàto Jr.

Calvin Klein was the name of the brand that gave actor Antonio Sabàto Jr. his start in the public eye, as underwear modeling was his first claim to fame. Eventually, projects like General Hospital, Earth 2, and even a Janet Jackson music video would see Antonio becoming an acting talent that continued to capitalize on their dreamy good looks. 

Charlize Theron

Even after winning her first Academy Award for Monster, and landing big ticket franchise like the Fast Saga, Charlize Theron still managed to fit in some modeling for Dior into her busy schedule. Which is absolutely fitting, considering that Theron got a jump start on her entertainment resume as a teen model throughout Europe in the ‘90s.

Mehcad Brooks

Fans of Law & Order and Supergirl’s Mehcad Brooks may want to brace themselves for what we’re about to tell them. Before Mr. Brooks was a part of worlds where superheroes and top cops reign supreme, he made a killing as a Calvin Klein underwear model; much like Mark Wahlberg, Antonio Sabàto Jr, and Djimon Hounsou.

Milla Jovovich

Before becoming an ace action star/zombie destroyer in the Resident Evil movies, Milla Jovovich found herself in another profession: muse. As an inspiration to designer Miuccia Prada, in addition to the star of shoots with acclaimed photographers such as Herb Ritts, Jovovich built a prolific career as a model; long before she would eventually be deemed a “Supreme Being” once again in 1995’s The Fifth Element.

Tyson Beckford

Before movies such as Biker Boyz and appearances on The Celebrity Dating Game and Match Game saw Tyson Beckford become an actor and personality, he saw himself engaged in another profession cut from similar cloth. Namely, Beckford was a model for magazines like The Source, as well as designer Ralph Lauren’s Polo brand.

Brooklyn Decker

The career of Brooklyn Decker started off with a huge splash, as both Sports Illustrated and Victoria’s Secret employed the future actor as a star model. Eventually, playing a lead in the Adam Sandler film Just Go with It put Decker on the map; which led to a pretty sweet long term gig as one of the stars of Netflix’s Grace and Frankie. 

Ian Somerhalder

Lost star and vampire extraordinaire Ian Somerhalder practiced looking ridiculously good looking in the modeling world, before parlaying it into roles that headed up projects like The CW’s The Vampire Diaries. Among the various brands that saw Somerhalder posing for greatness high end names like Nautica and Versace. 

Iman

In the modeling world, brands and magazines like Vogue, Calvin Klein, and Halston all called upon the mythic talents of the great Iman. Yves Saint-Laurent’s “dream woman” would eventually find the acting profession calling, and would heed its siren song through opportunities like the Kevin Costner thriller No Way Out, as well as a memorable spot in Star Trek VI: The Undiscovered Country.

Tom Welling

Even handsome men from Smallville manage to find themselves gracing campaigns for the usual glizy subjects. Former Clark Kent Tom Welling knows that first hand, as working with Tommy Hilfiger and Calvin Klein would put him on the map to become a Superman for another generation. 

Tyra Banks

Long before Tyra Banks was trying to help find America’s Next Top Model, she was practically living her life under that very title. Through Sports Illustrated swimsuit issues, Victoria’s Secret campaigns, and cover shoots for Elle and Vogue, Banks’ reputation as an in demand beauty eventually saw her jumping into acting gigs like a recurring role on The Fresh Prince of Bel-Air. 

Kellan Lutz

Vampires seem to make for good fashion models. Or should we reverse that statement? In either case, Kellan Lutz would be covered big time. Known as one of the Cullen family in The Twilight Saga, Lutz had also done some modeling before becoming one of the sparkling undead.

Kate Upton

Roles in The Three Stooges, The Disaster Artist and Robot Chicken have seen model Kate Upton active in the sphere of acting entertainment. However, her big start came from popularity stemming from cover shoots for Vanity fair, as well as modeling for the Sports Illustrated swimsuit edition. 

Djimon Hounsou

Actor Djimon Hounsou has been known to battle it out heroically throughout various universes and time periods, making huge appearances in Gladiator, Guardians of the Galaxy, and Rebel Moon. But in addition to racking up such heavy hitting acts on his resume, the Academy Award nominee has also done some modeling for Calvin Klein underwear in the midst of his busy run.

Famke Janssen

Both the world of the X-Men movies, as well the James Bond legacy have called upon Famke Janssen’s skills as a performer. That run of good fortune actually came after she retired from modeling, which saw her lending her talents to campaigns for Yves Saint Laurent and Victoria’s Secret throughout the ‘80s.

Kofi Siriboe

Girls Trip and Queen Sugar star Kofi Siriboe is known as both an actor and an all around smokeshow in entertainment. And part of the reason the young actor has come so far so fast is thanks to childhood experience in the world of modeling campaigns!

Elle Macpherson

Everything from brands like Tab to magazines such as Elle and ads for Christian Dior have seen model Elle Macpherson gracing their campaigns for glory. And that was a perfect launching pad for Elle’s acting ambitions, which saw her hosting Saturday Night Live as well as appearing in movies such as Batman & Robin and The Edge throughout the ‘90s.

Robert Pattinson

While the world mostly knows Robert Pattinson for his acting gigs in the Harry Potter, Twilight, and The Batman franchises, you may be surprised to know that he actually did some modeling in his youth. Though he left that world behind a while back, that hasn’t stopped Pattinson from picking up some campaigns for brands like Dior Men from the Batcave.

Rosie Huntington-Whiteley

Levi’s, Abercrombie & Fitch, and Teen Vogue were crucial starts to the career of model Rosie Huntington-Whiteley, and those pillars suited her well when continuing to be a world class icon. However, Rosie dipped her toes in the world of acting, through roles in both Transformers: Dark of the Moon and Mad Max: Fury Road.

Ashton Kutcher

How’s this for a start to a promising career? The late ‘90s saw Ashton Kutcher landing key gigs in both modeling and acting, with the former getting him started through Calvin Klein campaigns. It’s not hard to see how acting won out, as That ‘70s Show was the acting job that happened to land in his lap around the same time.

Elizabeth Hurley

The world has come to know and love Elizabeth Hurley in her capacity as an actor, throughout a career that’s seen her star in the Austin Powers franchise, as well as the remake of Bedazzled. But before she was selling Brendan Fraser’s soul, or fighting for peace with Mike Myers, Hurley was a model for the Estée Lauder brand. 

There you have it, lovers of modeling and acting talent! Keep these people in mind the next time you see a hot new star in either realm burning bright, for they could be the next exciting example of playing both sides, and looking exceptionally good in the process.

It’s no secret that Shemar Moore is considered one of the hottest stars on TV, in more ways than one. The successful actor has been making fans swoon since before his Soul Train days, even if Alicia Keys wasn’t on board. He got his start on a soap opera, playing Malcolm Winters for eight seasons of The Young and the Restless, before starring as Derek Morgan on Criminal Minds and Hondo on S.W.A.T.. One woman even went viral for putting up framed pictures of a shirtless Moore around her house. Now the latest woman to show her love for the actor is a great grandmother, who received a blanket with his face on it as a Christmas gift, and the actor's reaction was too cheeky!

Moore reshared a video to his Instagram Stories, in which a great grandmother was opening up a gift. Once the blanket was finally opened all the way by another family member, she saw that the blanket featured none other than the actor, and she was immediately happy. She quickly noted that she can “take him to bed,” which brought a lot of laughs not only with the family but likely to anyone who watched. Just check out the look on her face: 

While the clip is very funny and sweet, I’m not sure what’s better: the great grandmother’s reaction, or Moore captioning “When you ask Santa for some hot chocolate.” The whole post is very cheeky but completely hilarious. I'm also sure a number of fans probably would've reacted the same way that the woman did. It’s the perfect gift, and seeing the recipient's reaction makes it all the better. 

The star himself can certainly understand the value of family. Moore frequently talks about his late mother and fulfilling her dreams by becoming a father. Although he joked on the post, one would think that Moore could appreciate the joy that the family brought to their grandmother by gifting her the blanket. With S.W.A.T. filming again following the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes, he's undoubtedly extremely busy with work.

Shemar Moore previously shared side-by-side photos of his abs in his 40s and 50s, looking as impressive as ever in his 50s. He’s also opened up about avoiding having a “dad bod” and working out. Considering all of the action and stunts that are done on S.W.A.T., it’s not so surprising. 

Fans can surely find their own Shemar Moore blanket somewhere if they want one of their own as well, but it won’t be the same if it’s not gifted by the Derek Morgan star himself. I don’t think anyone will have a better reaction than the great grandmother, who was living for the present. Fans will be able to see more of Moore in the final season of S.W.A.T. premiering on Friday, February 16 at 8 p.m. ET on CBS as part of the 2024 TV schedule.

Soap Operas are not usually the first thing we think of when we think of “Prestige Television” but they have been popular since the dawn of TV and without them, some of our favorite stars might not have ever gotten their big break. In honor of that, we’ve compiled quite a list of famous actors who started out in soap operas. 

Brad Pitt (Another World)

There aren’t many bigger stars in the world than Brad Pitt. While he famously made his first mark in pop culture in Thelma & Louise, his first professional, credited acting role came on the soap Another World. The Ocean’s Eleven star played a character named Chris on two episodes in 1987. Little did anyone know just how famous he would soon be. 

Leonardo DiCaprio (Santa Barbara)

Pitt’s co-star in Once Upon A Time In Hollywood, Leonardo DiCaprio, is also one of the biggest stars in the world. Like Pitt, DiCaprio also can point to a turn on a soap opera early in his career as a launching pad. DiCaprio had a smattering of bit parts before starring in Santa Barbara, but it was five episodes on the soap that really got his career moving. 

Demi Moore (General Hospital)

In the ‘80s and ‘90s, Demi Moore was box office gold with films like St. Elmo’s Fire, A Few Good Men, and Ghost. Moore earned a then-unprecedented $12.5 million with her role in Striptease, but she got her start much more modestly as reporter Jackie Templeton in 85 episodes of General Hospital from 1982 until 1984. 

Marisa Tomei (As The World Turns)

Marisa Tomei’s career went into the stratosphere with her Academy Award-winning turn in My Cousin Vinny in 1992. She’s since been nominated for two more Oscars in her lauded career that all started with the role of Marcy Thompson, as a series regular on As The World Turns for three seasons. 

Alec Baldwin (The Doctors)

The Doctors debuted on NBC in April of 1963, on the very same day as General Hospital premiered on ABC. Unlike GH, which is still on the air, The Doctors lasted only a mere 20 years, but like GH, it helped launch a lot of careers. Alec Baldwin was one of those actors who appeared on the soap, as the character Billy Aldrich for a few years in the early 1980s, years before his big breaks would come in Beetlejuice and The Hunt For Red October. 

Kathy Bates (The Doctors)

Another actor who got her start on the oft-forgotten The Doctors is the great Kathy Bates. Bates worked hard while scratching out a living as an actor in New York City. After scoring just one bit part in the movie Taking Off in 1971, it was another 6 years before she would land a big role, this time on The Doctors.

Laurence Fishburne (One Life To Live)

Laurence Fishburne famously made waves as a teenager starring (as Larry Fishburne) in Francis Ford Coppola’s masterpiece Apocalypse Now. While the role made him famous, his career started years earlier as Josh Hall in One Life To Live. Fishburne was only 11 years old when he debuted on the show.

Jordana Brewster (As The World Turns)

Jordana Brewster is a star in one of the biggest film franchises in history as Mia Toretto in the Fast & Furious movies. She got her start in one of the biggest soap operas in history as well. After a quick one-off on All My Children in 1995, Brewster landed a regular role on As The World Turns later that same year. She remained on the show for 118 episodes over the next six years. 

Shemar Moore (The Young and the Restless)

For over a decade, Shemar Moore starred as Derek Morgan on the beloved Criminal Minds and then on S.W.A.T for six years. Neither was his first long-time role on television, however, as Moore got his start on eight seasons of The Young and the Restless as Malcolm Winters, a role he’s returned to a number of times, most recently in 2023. 

Tom Selleck (The Young And The Restless)

Another actor who got his start on The Young and the Restless is the legendary TV star Tom Selleck. After bouncing around in bit parts for most of the ‘70s. The Blue Bloods star found a semi-regular role on the soap in 1974. He would later own TV in the ‘80s as Thomas Magnum on one of the greatest TV shows of all time, Magnum PI.

Meg Ryan (As The World Turns)

Meg Ryan was America’s sweetheart in the 1980s and '90s. Before she starred in numerous rom-coms, from When Harry Met Sally To You’ve Got Mail, she was Steve Andropoulos’ sweetheart Betsy on As The World Turns. She would play the role for three years, before snagging a role in a little movie called Top Gun, and off she went to stardom. 

Lauryn Hill (As The World Turns)

It’s not just actors who got their start on soap operas. Singer and rapper Ms. Lauryn Hill is famous for her amazing neo-soul album The Miseducation of Lauryn Hill in 1998, but seven years before that, and before The Fugees, she starred as Kira Johnson on As The World Turns.

Taye Diggs (Guiding Light)

This one is a bit of a stretch because Taye Diggs had already put together a great career on Broadway, starring in the original cast of Rent and other shows. He did, however, get his regular screen time on Guiding Light in 1997, after a couple of smaller parts on TV. 

Julianne Moore (As The World Turns)

Julianne Moore has won a slew of awards in her career. The Boogie Nights star can boast five Oscar nominations and one win, she has an Emmy, multiple Golden Globe and SAG awards, and even one Daytime Emmy, which she won for Best Actress on the soap As The World Turns in 1988.

David Hasselhoff (The Young And The Restless)

Baywatch might have been a soap opera on the beach, but it wasn’t the first time David Hasselhoff starred in one. The Hoff played Snapper Foster (yes, that’s the name of the character) for seven years in the late ‘70s and early ‘80s on The Young and the Restless, before scoring his gig on Knight Rider. While starring on Knight Rider, The Hoff also appeared on one episode of Santa Barbara.

Mark Hamill (General Hospital)

Stars Wars has often been described as a “space opera” so it only makes sense that Luke Skywalker himself, Mark Hamill, got his start on a soap opera. The future superstar started smaller, with a role as Kent Murray on General Hospital for a couple of years right before Star Wars became the biggest thing, well, ever. 

Josh Duhamel (All My Children)

Transformers star Josh Duhamel has starred in 39 movies and had roles on 18 TV shows, including Las Vegas and Jupiter Rising, and it all started with a breakout role on ABC’s All My Children in 1999. He starred on the soap opera for a few years, before moving on, but did return briefly in 2011 to reprise his role as Leo du Pres. He even won a Daytime Emmy in 2002 for his performance. 

Kelly Ripa (All My Children)

Kelly Ripa has been everyone’s favorite morning talk show host for years now and over 30 years ago, she was a dancer on Dance Party USA. Her first serious acting gig came in 1990 as Hayley Vaughan on All My Children, a role she would play for more than a decade. Not only did it jumpstart her career, but the soap played an even more important role in her life, as that’s how she met her husband, Mark Consuelos.

Mark Consuelos (All My Children)

That’s right, Mark Consuelos also began his career on All My Children, playing Mateo Santos on the show for six years. The Riverdale star was a huge hit on the show, and like Ripa, returned in 2010 to help celebrate the show’s 40th anniversary. Consuelos and Ripa married in 1996 while starring on the show together and now almost 30 years later are still working together as co-hosts on Live.

Ryan Phillippe (One Life To Live)

From I Know What You Last Summer to Cruel Intentions, Ryan Phillippe played some iconic parts in the 1990s. It was One Life To Live where he landed his first one, though, in 1992. In the ‘00s, he got more serious, with major roles in Gosford Park and Crash, but none of it might have happened with the soap opera casting him as a teenager. 

Amber Tamblyn (General Hospital)

Amber Tamblyn wasn’t even a teen when she landed her first on-screen role on General Hospital in 1995. The 127 Hours star played Emily Quatermaine for six seasons on the soap.

John Stamos (General Hospital)

Before playing Uncle Jesse on Full House, and before playing bongos for The Beach Boys, John Stamos was breaking hearts as Blackie Parrish on General Hospital for three seasons in the early ‘80s. Stamos even earned a nomination for a Daytime Emmy for the role in 1983.

Mario Van Peebles (One Life To Live)

Mario Van Peebles made his permanent mark on film with his direction of the 1991 classic New Jack City. The cult classic was huge at the time, and Van Peebles has been acting and directing in TV and film ever since, but his career really got going a decade prior to New Jack City when he appeared as Doc Gilmore in One Life To Live in 1982 and 1983. 

Hayden Panettiere (One Life To Live)

“Save the cheerleader, save the world” is a now-legendary catchphrase from the TV series Heroes and the cheerleader was, of course, the great Hayden Panettiere. Panettiere had already scored numerous credits before Heroes, including her first role as a five-year-old One Life To Live for 26 episodes in the mid-'90s. She followed that up as Lizzie Spaulding on Guiding Light for four seasons.

Justin Hartley (Passions)

Justin Harley was part of the cast that made more TV viewers cry than any other as a part of the brilliant ensemble on This Is Us. Hartley got his start probably making daytime TV fans emotional on the short-lived (by soap opera standards) Passions. After becoming a series regular on Smallville, he returned to daytime TV on The Young and the Restless before landing his award-winning gig on This Is Us. 

Robin Wright (Santa Barbara)

In 1987 Robin Wright became part of cinema history with her role as Buttercup in the much-beloved The Princess Bride. It took a few years of starring on the soap Santa Barbara before she would get that breakout role, but she’s been on top ever since, with iconic roles on the Netflix series House of Cards and in movies like Wonder Woman 1984, which is pretty fitting, as that was the year she started on Santa Barbara.

Lindsay Lohan (Guiding Light and Another World)

Lindsay Lohan’s first movie role was actually two roles in 1998’s The Parent Trap. She immediately endeared herself to audiences, and that love only grew with Freaky Friday and Mean Girls. She’s had an up-and-down career since, but like so many others, that career started as a kid on a soap. Two soaps, actually. First, a brief one-off on Guiding Light, with a reoccurring role on Another World for two seasons. 

Kevin Kline (Search For Tomorrow)

Search for Tomorrow is one of those soaps that despite running for more than 35 years, it’s completely forgotten about today. It was canceled in 1986, but it was around long enough for Kevin Kline to make his first on-screen appearance. The classically trained Kline returned to the stage after leaving the show, but in 1982 he found himself in a role in Sophie’s Choice alongside Meryl Streep, and he’s never looked back. 

Tommy Lee Jones (One Life To Live)

Harvard grad Tommy Lee Jones actually got his first role in the classic Love Story but it was a minor “blink and you’ll miss it” type of role. It was probably his 21 episodes on One Life To Live in the early 1970s that really jumpstarted his now-legendary career. 

Tom Berenger (One Life To Live)

Speaking of One Life to Live in the ‘70s, Platoon star Tom Berenger overlapped with Jones for one season on the long-running soap. Berenger played Tim Siegel for 66 episodes from 1975 until his character’s death just after getting married in the 1976 season. Classic soap opera plot!  

While budgets of soap operas might not be that of prime-time TV, there is undoubtedly plenty of talent on these shows, and has been for many years, as this amazing of list famous actors who started out in soap operas proves. 

Despite having ended its initial broadcast run in early 2020, and also despite the character Derek Morgan making his own exit during Season 11 back in 2016, Criminal Minds and Shemar Moore will likely always go hand in hand within the brains of those that make up the CBS drama’s massive fanbase. And by extension, it’s almost impossible to think about Morgan without immediately thinking about him being on the phone with Penelope Garcia, beaming his signature smile and calling her “baby girl.” It became such a ubiquitous part of their relationship, and the show itself, that one might think it was an intentional addition from the get-go. But that’s not exactly the case.

The origins of Criminal Minds’ use of the “baby girl” nickname are not tethered to the writers room, and they go back to even before Shemar Moore became a crime drama fixture. Let’s put our BAU caps on and dig into how the loving moniker came to be. 

When Did Morgan Start Calling Garcia Baby Girl?

When Criminal Minds kicked off in 2005, Shemar Moore was hired on as a series regular, while Kirsten Vangsness was signed as a recurring actress, so there wasn’t quite as much back and forth between Derek and Garcia during the earliest episodes. But she was promoted to regular status in Season 2, and the sparks flew throughout those next ten seasons, even though the writers (arguably) wisely kept their relationship entirely in the flirty-but-platonic stage. 

Within the series itself, as far as I can tell, the first time that Morgan uses the oft-heard epithet occurs in Season 2, Episode 10, titled “Lessons Learned.” That exchange takes place around the middle of the ep, following an explosion that temporarily has Garcia and A.J. Cook’s J.J. worried that Derek was caught in the blast. When the pigtailed analyst hit up his phone, she was comforted beyond belief to hear his voice, and after revealing that another agent did die, he followed that up by suavely addressing her worries with the following exchange:

• Morgan: Don’t worry. Don’t think you’re gonna get rid of me that easy.
• Garcia: Do you need anything?
• Morgan: I know who to call if I do. Thanks, baby girl.

Criminal Minds actually did deliver a legitimate origin story for the nickname, which played out in Season 3, Episode 19, titled "Tabula Rasa." In a flashback to a point years earlier canonically, when Shemar Moore was almost too babyfaced for his own good, he was trying to get Garcia's attention in all the wrong ways, thanks to Reid offering up some bum info. 

• Morgan: Hey, what’s that new tech girl’s name?
• Reid: Uh, Gomez, I think.
• Morgan: Excuse me, Gomez. [pause with no answer] Hey, baby girl.

And the rest, as they say, was history. Although a history in which Morgan and Garcia never made good on their continuous flirting. 

Why Shemar Moore Calls Women Baby Girl

While the majority of male characters on TV probably couldn't pull off calling a female character "baby girl" with anywhere near the same amount of success without a hint of skeeziness, Shemar Moore has never failed to sell it in a way that warms fans' hearts (and more). And part of the comfort he exudes comes from having used those kinds of endearment nicknames for his entire life, to the point where it became second nature. 

As he explains it in past interview with Tallboy, the S.W.A.T. star even points out that he started using that very phrase during his Young and the Restless days. 

Speaking of Young and the Restless, Moore actually returned to that show more recently than he did the world of Criminal Minds, having reprised the role of Malcolm Winters earlier this year. I don't recall if he called anyone "baby girl" during that ep, but he definitely didn't say "sugar tits" at any point.

How The Viral Nickname Happened To Make It Onto The Show

Now that we know when it happened, and why Shemar Moore is fond of saying "baby girl" in the first place, it's time to lay out how it actually showed up on our TVs in the first place. As the actor has explained in the past, Morgan wasn't scripted to refer to anyone by that name, but brought that energy into the scene himself. Speaking with Young Hollywood during an interview, he cited the first use happened in Season 1, though without further specifics. Here's what he had to say when asked to explain what the "baby girls" were:

Considering how many millions of people were watching Criminal Minds during its initial run, it's no surprise that fans immediately turned "baby girl" into a mini-phenomenon both online and off. To the point where it was front and center of past charitable efforts that Moore put together over the years. 

But just because Shemar Moore knew how to effortlessly turn the charm on with unexpected ad-libbing, that doesn't mean the crime drama's writing staff was able to replicate the vibe themselves in later episodes. Reflecting on how the creative team did indeed attempt to expand and evolve his slice of genius, Moore continued:

The final tally for uses of "baby girl" is somewhere south of 100, but fans would probably guess that it came up in all 252 episodes he starred in, so ingrained as it is in our brains. Will we ever get to hear him call Garcia by that name again in the franchise's future? 

It all depends on whether or not Shemar Moore would be able to find time in his schedule to film an appearance for Criminal Minds: Evolution, which is available to stream with a Paramount+ subscription. A second season is coming at some point, with an update on the way for Garcia's love life, and I think we'd all love to know how Morgan would feel about all that.

Even though Shemar Moore became a dad at 52, he often doesn’t look a day out of his 20s. The S.W.A.T. star is gearing up for his final return as Hondo on the CBS procedural, following its cancellation getting reversed, and with both the WGA writers strike and SAG-AFTRA strike ongoing, he is likely spending a lot of time preparing and anticipating its return. However, he doesn’t really need to do much by way of physical transformations, as he shared in an inspirational Instagram post documenting a nine-year journey. 

In honor of his birthday in April, Shemar Moore took some time to reflect on his life and his journey when it comes to staying in shape and avoiding the “dad bod,” stereotype regardless of his active status as a father. One such life reflection included side-by-side shots of him at age 53 vs. age 44, which he shared on Instagram with the push for fans to “Dream Big!!”:

Shemar Moore is definitely looking pret-ty, pret-ty good for his age, and I certainly couldn't tell that a nearly ten-year difference between those photos. Considering a woman even framed shirtless pictures of the Criminal Minds alum around her house, it’s pretty easy to see that Moore's body is a popular one. That will never stop him from putting in the work, though, but that just gives him another reason to continually inspire his followers when it comes to chasing dreams, no matter what they might be.

With S.W.A.T. getting one more season, it means that fans only have a limited time left to still watch Shemar Moore take down bad guys every week, and looking incredible while doing so. To still see him knocking out action sequences with no problem is a definite plus for viewers, and that probably won’t change for Season 7. Once filming does finally start up for the final episodes, hopefully Moore will continue to update and inspire fans. Looking the way he does as compared to 10 years ago, maybe he could show everyone else the directions to that Fountain of Youth he must have come across at some point. 

Meanwhile, Shemar Moore is also keeping focused on S.W.A.T. and probably getting ready for next season. With the show’s addition to Netflix, the series was doing really well and was even part of Netflix’s Top 10 for a good while. Moore sent love to S.W.A.T. fans after hearing the good news when the show dropped on the streamer in May. Even though the procedural may not be part of the 2023 TV schedule due to the strikes, fans can still watch it with a Netflix subscription and look forward to what will be an entertaining final season.

Fingers crossed that Shemar Moore continues posting content on social media, whether it’s of his mini-me daughter or more workout photos, perhaps maybe even getting back to the S.W.A.T. cornhole content in order to keep fans occupied until the seventh and final season of the CBS drama finally premieres.

CBS’ S.W.A.T. has gone through a lot lately as it was canceled and then uncanceled by its network following a big uproar from fans. Then, its earlier seasons made their way over to Netflix, where it has seen an outpouring of love from viewers. Now, the Shemar Moore-led procedural is dominating the streaming service, and it has held a spot on the Top 10 for the last few weeks. So, as the show continues to do exceptionally well on the streamer, Moore is giving love to all the fans that have made it possible.

Shemar Moore took to Instagram to thank all of the S.W.A.T. fans for streaming the first five seasons on Netflix, as the show is currently holding steady at number six on the platform. Considering the fact that it only took CBS a weekend to reverse their decision to cancel the series partly because of the fan response, it’s not surprising to see what they are continuing to do. As Moore said, S.W.A.T. is here to stay:

S.W.A.T. officially joined Netflix on May 17 when the first five seasons hit the streamer. Since then, it’s remained in the Top 10 and was even number one for multiple days. It’s definitely all thanks to the fans, who not only managed to get the series uncanceled, but have now also made it a hit on the streaming service, and Shemar Moore is truly grateful for it. 

The show’s domination on Netflix is another reason why CBS was right to reverse its decision, as it goes to show just how many people love S.W.AT. This isn’t the first time a network has changed its mind on a cancellation, as NBC canceled then uncanceled the sci-fi drama Timeless and gave it a second season. After canceling it again, the network ended up ordering a movie to close out the series. It's always nice to see a network realize they may have made the wrong choice to cancel a show, and that's been especially true with Shemar Moore's show. 

Before the cancellation/un-cancellation, S.W.A.T’s future was up in the air for a long time, but as more and more CBS shows kept getting renewed, the procedural’s chance for another season was dwindling. EP Shawn Ryan shared a Season 7 update in March, noting that it wasn’t ratings that were the problem, as S.W.A.T. was doing pretty well, but it was more so a financial issue. A lot of networks have been making budget cuts in order to make ends meet, which could have been the initial reason why the series was canceled.

With a 13-episode seventh and final season of S.W.A.T. on the way, fans will want to rewatch the series to prepare. While the first five seasons are streaming with a Netflix subscription, there’s no date for Season 6’s arrival, but it’s possible it will drop later this year. Although it is available with a Paramount+ subscription, so fans will still be able to catch up on 20-Squad’s missions. 

Make sure to keep an eye out on the 2023 TV schedule to stay up to date on the premiere of the next season of S.W.A.T. 

S.W.A.T. has been making headlines as of late, as the CBS procedural famously got canceled and then uncancelled in a very short period of time. And shortly after, it found a new streaming home via Netflix, where the series is flourishing, seemingly doing better than ever. As of now, the series is still in the Top 10 on the streamer, which is a significant accomplishment. And it may help explain why the network gave in and gave the show one final season.

When S.W.A.T. was canceled, fans took to social media and called for it to be saved, whether by CBS or another network. Lead actor Shemar Moore even said the move made "no sense,” considering how well the series was apparently performing. Just a few days later, CBS ended up reversing the cancellation and handed the procedural a seventh and final season consisting of 13 episodes. Given the popularity of the show, it may not be all that surprising that it's now trending high on Netflix. Moore, for his part, posted to Instagram two weeks ago when the series started topping the charts:

Amidst popular Netflix shows such as Manifest and Never Have I Ever premiering dropping new seasons, 20-Squad has comfortably settled into its spot in the platform's Top 10. It's currently the seventh-highest trending series in the U.S. One would think that a sum of these viewers are established fans, but others may be people who are just curious and want to check out the show for the first time. It's wild to think that just months ago, the Shemar Moore-led drama's Season 7 chances were up in the air due to budget cuts and that it's now sitting pretty.

When CBS announced that the show would return, the execs mentioned that they'd listened to the fans. That may be only one of the reasons why they decided to renew S.W.A.T., though. While the drama didn't actually land on Netflix until after the cancellation debacle, one would think that the actual deal between the streamer and Sony Pictures Television (the series' production company) was struck somewhat earlier. This could be a leap, but maybe both entities predicted a strong debut for the show on the platform. And as a result, the studio could've reasoned that because people might seek out the show there, it would tee up a theoretical final season nicely and provide some nice ratings upon its premiere. I mean just imagine how many of the subscription holders (first-time viewers or otherwise) may now feel compelled to check out the new episodes when they eventually drop.

There have certainly been other cases in which streaming has played a role in a show's survival. The chart was one of the main reasons why Netflix saved Manifest in 2021, as the missing plane drama was crushing as the #1 show for almost an entire summer. Though it should be said that in that case, the series had already been dominating on the platform whereas with the procedural, the show didn't hit the web until after its renewal.

Regardless of what exactly caused the powers that be to have changes of heart, I'm just glad that S.W.A.T. will have the opportunity to close things out properly. It may be a while before the final season arrives due to the ongoing WGA writers strike. But in the meantime, you can certainly catch up on the show via streaming!

The first five seasons of S.W.A.T. are available to watch using a Netflix subscription. You can also stream it with a Paramount+ subscription. All the while, be sure that you're checking CinemaBlend's 2023 TV schedule for information on upcoming premieres.

It’s just been a roller coaster of emotion over these past few weeks when it comes to the CBS drama S.W.A.T. and its future. At first, the series was canceled by CBS, but after Shemar Moore and the fans rallied, the network un-canceled the popular procedural. While Season 6 of S.W.A.T. will be airing its finale this week on the 2023 TV schedule, fans just got some more great news about the first five seasons of the show as it was announced that they’ve found a new home at Netflix. 

The streamer announced the exciting news on Twitter, noting that the first five seasons of S.W.A.T. will be among the ranks of Netflix’s best shows on May 17. Shemar Moore, and the cast also took to social media to celebrate in a fun way too, by posting this video on the star’s Instagram: 

Moore also wrote a very on-brand and fun caption to go along with the fun news, posting: 

This comes after two weeks of up and down news surrounding S.W.A.T and its Season 7 renewal. At first, S.W.A.T. was canceled after six seasons, however, Shemar Moore quickly spoke out against the decision, saying “it makes no sense.”  In his Instagram post, he laid out the success the series has seen, and why it shouldn’t have been canceled, writing: 

He then asked “my homies, my fans, and my baby girls,” to support the show and follow all their accounts so they could “make some fucking noise,” and let the network know they made a poor decision. 

Three days later news broke about S.W.A.T.’s cancellation and Moore’s passionate post, CBS rescued it from cancellation while it axed two other shows. While freshman shows True Lies and East New York were canceled after a single season, the long-running crime procedural was picked back up, and fans were elated. 

Following this exciting news Moore reached out to the fans to celebrate S.W.A.T. and its un-cancellation. He enthusiastically thanked viewers with his co-star David Lim, and promised that Season 7 would be “one hell of a send-off.” 

Well, it sounds like there is a lot to look forward to when it comes to Season 7, but that won’t be airing until the fall. So, while we celebrate S.W.A.T.’s un-cancellation you can throw it back and watch seasons one through five with a Netflix subscription.