The news comes a year after S.W.A.T. (2017) was canceled before the decision was drastically reversed a few days later with a renewal for a seventh and final season. This time, the network isn't closing in and leaving the door open for more by not labeling season eight as the final season of the series.
Season eight will consist of 22 episodes.
The surprising innovation, which according to sources came quite quickly in recent days, also comes at a time when S.W.A.T. (2017) concludes production of its seventh season. Moore hinted yesterday that the drama won't necessarily end, posting set photos to his Instagram page with the caption "Season 7 will [fire emoji)" not referring to the episode as a series finale.
According to sources, the finale, which is still being filmed, is written to be a satisfying series finale, but also perfectly sets up the series for another season, so no last-minute script changes will be made in light of the renewal.
The talks about a season eight of S.W.A.T. (2017) began earlier this week, with CBS asking Sony Pictures Television, which produces in association with CBS Studios, for a reduction in licensing fees, a typical move in the current economic climate.
Sony TV was unwilling to renew S.W.A.T last year. (2017) for a fixed license fee. CBS ultimately agreed to the license fee but reduced the size of the order, which led to Sony passing over and CBS canceling the series before the two sides went back and worked things out for a seventh and final season of thirteen episodes.
It's unclear whether Sony TV has agreed to a lower license fee this year or whether the license fee has remained the same, but the return to a 22-episode order, down from thirteen episodes this season, has helped seal the deal, as the big season ensures better amortization of costs.
CBS' decision to make S.W.A.T. (2017) was, as with last year's non-cancellation, based on the series' strong ratings on both linear and streaming channels. In addition, S.W.A.T. (2017) has remained a strong international seller, generating revenue for CBS Studios through its co-production deal with main studio Sony TV.
“Here at CBS, we always ‘stay liquid’ and love a good dramatic twist, especially when it leads to an eighth season of S.W.A.T.!,” said Amy Reisenbach, president of CBS Entertainment. “The show continues to resonate with viewers thanks to our talented cast led by Shemar Moore and our amazing writers and producers who keep the show relevant and action-packed. We’re very pleased to renew it again and incredibly grateful to our partners at Sony, CBS Studios and Shemar for working so closely with us to bring it back for next season.”
A series that has a cancellation decision reversed by the original network is rare; the rescued series that continues to run for several seasons is extremely rare. It happened previously with another Sony TV series, Drop Dead Diva, which produced two more seasons for Lifetime after being canceled by the network.
“Led by the unstoppable Shemar Moore, S.W.A.T. has captivated viewers since its premiere in 2017, and with every renewal, we are amazed at how passionate and dedicated the fans of this show are,” said Katherine Pope, president of Sony Pictures Television Studios. “Thank you to Amy Reisenbach and our partners at CBS for continuing to believe in the show and the incredible work of the cast and crew. Everyone here at Sony Pictures Television is so proud of the world that Shawn, Aaron, Andy and the entire S.W.A.T. team have created, and we congratulate them on coming back for another year. Roll SWAT!”
S.W.A.T. (2017) joins the previously renewed CBS dramas NCIS, NCIS: Sydney, FBI, FBI: Most Wanted, FBI: International, Tracker and Fire Country and the comedy series Ghosts and The Neighborhood. NCIS: Hawaii, The Equalizer, So Help Me Todd, CSI: Vegas and newcomer Elsbeth are still awaiting their fate.
Moore leads a cast that also includes Jay Harrington, David Lim, Patrick St. Esprit, Rochelle Aytes and Anna Enger Ritch. Shawn Ryan, Andrew Dettmann, Justin Lin, Neal H. Moritz, Marney Hochman, Pavun Shetty, Billy Gierhart, Moore and James Scura serve as executive producers.
Here's the response from S.W.A.T.'s top creative executives. (2017) on the innovation:
“It’s a privilege to get to deliver more S.W.A.T. stories to our incredible fans. This season eight pickup is a testament to our showrunner Andy Dettmann, Shemar Moore, the rest of our talented cast and our dedicated crew who continue to produce television that resonates with so many people. We’re grateful to CBS, Sony Pictures Television and CBS Studios for the opportunity.”
– Shawn Ryan, executive producer and co-showrunner
“All of us at S.W.A.T. are thrilled by the news of a season eight. Shemar and I had many conversations throughout the production of season seven, confident that if we continued to tell great stories punctuated by SWAT’s signature action, our amazing fans would stay with us, giving us a good shot at another season. At the end of the day, this is the well-deserved payoff for all the time, energy and effort put in by an incredible cast and crew working with the constant support of our partners at Sony Pictures Television and everyone at CBS. We look forward to an exciting season eight.”
– Andrew Dettmann, co-showrunner and executive producer
“S.W.A.T. IS BACK! BELIEVE IN MIRACLES! I am so proud of this show and the people and variables it has taken to make this show what it is and has become. I am so grateful to the fans around the world who have supported, watched, enjoyed and rooted for S.W.A.T.! It is entirely because of this support that S.W.A.T. will continue to shine! This is still a dream job for me … I love my S.W.A.T. crew, cast and writers and producers – we have made an incredible, fun, exciting, provocative and heartwarming show for the world to enjoy. Thank you to CBS and SONY for believing in S.W.A.T. and giving us this opportunity to shine!”
– Shemar Moore, star and executive producer
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