S.W.A.T. (2017 TV series) season 7

The seventh season of the American police procedural television series S.W.A.T. premiered on CBS on February 16, 2024,[1] and ended on May 17, with a total of 13 episodes. S.W.A.T. follows an elite Special Weapons and Tactics unit of the Los Angeles Police Department. The show is based on the 2003 film S.W.A.T. and the original 1975 TV series of the same name, which is a spinoff series of the 1972 crime drama series The Rookies.

S.W.A.T.
Season 7
Starring
No. of episodes13
Release
Original networkCBS
Original releaseFebruary 16 (2024-02-16) –
May 17, 2024 (2024-05-17)
Season chronology
← Previous
Season 6
Next →
Season 8
List of episodes

The series was originally cancelled by CBS after six seasons on May 5, 2023.[2][3] Three days later, on May 8, CBS and Sony reached a new agreement to renew the series for a seventh and final season.[4] The season was impacted by both the 2023 Writers Guild of America strike and 2023 SAG-AFTRA strike.[5]

For the 2023–24 U.S. television season, the seventh season of S.W.A.T. ranked #29 with an average of 6.17 million viewers.[6]

Cast and characters

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Main

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Recurring

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Guest

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Episodes

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No.
overall
No. in
season
TitleDirected byWritten byOriginal air dateProd.
code
U.S. viewers
(millions)
1291"The Promise"Billy GierhartKent RotherhamFebruary 16, 2024 (2024-02-16)7015.24[7]

Hondo, Hicks and Powell are in Mexico City, having travelled there to escort a witness back to the United States but when the prison exchange goes wrong, Hondo finds himself racing to save an old witness whose mother was killed during a home invasion call that Hondo investigated ten years ago.

  • This is the first episode to have Anna Enger Ritch (Zoe Powell) credited as a series regular while Shemar Moore (Daniel Harrison Jr.) is now credited as an Executive Producer and the episode along with "Peace Talks" were filmed on location in Mexico City.
1302"Peace Talks"Billy GierhartSarah AldersonFebruary 23, 2024 (2024-02-23)7024.96[8]
With Powell having gone missing, Hondo and Hicks search Mexico City for her while things intensifying when it's discovered that the police officer she was with is not only corrupt but planning on selling a thermobaric bomb capable of killing thousands to an unknown group of criminals.
1313"Good for Nothing"Maja VrviloAlan MorganMarch 1, 2024 (2024-03-01)7035.02[9]
When a group of Yazuka arrive in Los Angeles, leaving a trail of death and destruction in their wake, 20 Squad investigate the killings and also the Japanese ex-pats the Yakuza are targeting which soon leads them into a race against time to rescue a mother and son who are in grave danger.
1324"Spare Parts"Cherie DvorakRyan KeleherMarch 8, 2024 (2024-03-08)7044.73[10]

20 Squad investigate when a Doctor and her daughter are abducted from a party in downtown Los Angeles by a Chilean arms dealer and his men

  • This episode and the next episode, "End of the Road" aired the same night in the U.S. while in the UK, Sky Max aired "Spare Parts" and "End of the Road" a week apart from one another.
1335"End of the Road"Jann TurnerMatthew T. BrownMarch 8, 2024 (2024-03-08)7054.45[10]

During a training session with Long Beach PD's SWAT team, Street discovers a biker gang has stolen a cache of armor-piercing rounds with Street turning to his colleagues in 20 Squad for help in finding and bringing down the gang while Street has to intervene to stop some of Long Beach PD's SWAT from exacting revenge when their leader, Sergeant Barry Jones dies from injuries sustained in a gunfight against the gang.

  • This episode marks the final appearance of Alex Russell (Jim Street).
1346"Escape"Hanelle CulpepperJohn AmatoMarch 15, 2024 (2024-03-15)7064.70[11]
While on a morning jog, Hondo, Tan and Cabrera learn that a prison bus has crashed and upon investigating, discover three prisoners including a serial killer on the verge on embarking on a campaign of revenge have escaped, sending 20 Squad on the hunt for the three women before any lives are lost as Luca returns, rejoining the team. In the last few minutes, while out with Kelly, Luca responds to a robbery call but ends up being shot in the chest, ending the episode on a cliffhanger.
1357"Last Call"Michael D. OlmosMellori VelasquezApril 5, 2024 (2024-04-05)7074.49[12]

Reeling from the news that Luca has been shot, 20 Squad band together to find the group responsible while after learning he's sustained permanent damage to his right arm, ending his career as a SWAT officer, Luca retires from the LAPD with Hondo and the entire LAPD force turning out to give Luca a send-off.

  • This episode marks the final appearance of Kenny Johnson (Dominique Luca).
1368"Family Man"Larry TengAmelia SimsApril 12, 2024 (2024-04-12)7084.61[13]
When 20 Squad arrive at a fortified home that belongs to a family of doomsday preppers, things take a turn for the worse when Deacon ends up being captured and held hostage, forcing Hondo and the team into a race to save Deacon before it's too late while Deacon uses his negotiating skills in hopes of convincing the family to surrender peacefully.
1379"Honeytrap"Oz ScottMichael GemballaApril 19, 2024 (2024-04-19)7094.46[14]
When a female robbery crew lures a man and ends up killing him and a neighbor who had arrived to investigate at a hotel in downtown Los Angeles, FBI agent Jessica Vasquez calls in Hondo and 20 Squad for help in stopping the group before they strike again as Vasquez finds herself under pressure from her superior, Special Agent Chad Hettinger who seems more interested in achieving glory rather than bringing the group down.
13810"SNAFU"Alex RussellCharlie HaddawayApril 26, 2024 (2024-04-26)7104.66[15]
As a sniper begins terrorizing Los Angeles, targeting seemingly random people, 20 Squad investigate and discover a link to an unsolved murder case.
13911"Whispers"Cherie DvorakSarah AldersonMay 3, 2024 (2024-05-03)7114.37[16]
14012"Allegiance"Jay HarringtonKent RotherhanMay 10, 2024 (2024-05-10)7124.30[17]
14113"Twenty Squad"Billy GierhartMatthew T. Brown & Daniela LabiMay 17, 2024 (2024-05-17)7134.39[18]

Production

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Development

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On May 5, 2023, S.W.A.T. was cancelled after 6 seasons.[19] On May 8, 2023, CBS reversed their cancellation by renewing S.W.A.T. for a seventh and (what they said at the time would be a) final season of 13 episodes.[4][20]

Production on the season was delayed due to the WGA and SAG-AFTRA strikes in the United States.[21]

Casting

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On January 25, 2024, it was announced that Anna Enger Ritch, after recurring for the past two seasons, would be upgraded to a regular for the seventh season.[22] On February 9, 2024, Alex Russell and Kenny Johnson were announced to have been downgraded to recurring status for the seventh season.[23]

Ratings

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Viewership and ratings per episode of S.W.A.T. (2017 TV series) season 7
No. Title Air date Rating
(18–49)
Viewers
(millions)
1 "The Promise" February 16, 2024 0.5/6 5.24[7]
2 "Peace Talks" February 23, 2024 0.4/5 4.96[8]
3 "Good for Nothing" March 1, 2024 0.4/6 5.02[9]
4 "Spare Parts" March 8, 2024 0.4/5 4.73[10]
5 "End of the Road" March 8, 2024 0.3/4 4.45[10]
6 "Escape" March 15, 2024 0.4/5 4.70[11]
7 "Last Call" April 5, 2024 0.3/4 4.49[12]
8 "Family Man" April 12, 2024 0.4/5 4.61[13]
9 "Honeytrap" April 19, 2024 0.4/5 4.46[14]
10 "SNAFU" April 26, 2024 0.3/3 4.66[15]
11 "Whispers" May 3, 2024 0.3/4 4.37[16]
12 "Allegiance" May 10, 2024 0.3/4 4.30[17]
13 "Twenty Squad" May 17, 2024 0.3/5 4.39[18]

References

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  1. ^ Nellie, Andreeva (November 13, 2023). "CBS Sets 2024 Premiere Dates For Delayed Scripted Series, Confirms 'Matlock' & 'Poppa's House' Move To Next Season". Deadline Hollywood.
  2. ^ Klawans, Justin (May 6, 2023). "'S.W.A.T.' Cancelled After Season 6 at CBS". Collider. Retrieved May 9, 2023.
  3. ^ May 6, Lauren Huff; EDT, 2023 at 10:25 AM. "'S.W.A.T.' canceled at CBS after 6 seasons". EW.com. Retrieved May 9, 2023.{{cite web}}: CS1 maint: numeric names: authors list (link)
  4. ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (May 8, 2023). "'S.W.A.T.' Un-Canceled: Drama Starring Shemar Moore Resurrected At CBS With Season 7 Renewal – Update". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 8, 2023.
  5. ^ Maas, Jennifer (July 11, 2023). "The Writers Strike Highlights The TV Industry's Streaming Problem". Variety. Retrieved July 12, 2023.
  6. ^ Schneider, Michael (May 28, 2024). "100 Most-Watched TV Series of 2023-24: This Season's Winners and Losers". Variety. Retrieved May 28, 2024.
  7. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (February 19, 2024). "Friday Ratings: CBS Earns Prime Time Total Viewer Victory with Drama Returns, S.W.A.T. 7th Season Opener Up from Season Six Average". Programming Insider. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
  8. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (February 24, 2024). "Friday Ratings: S.W.A.T., Fire Country and Blue Bloods Continue to Provide CBS the Total Viewer Win". Programming Insider. Retrieved February 27, 2024.
  9. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (March 4, 2024). "Friday Ratings: CBS and Fox Share in Prime Time Honors". Programming Insider. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
  10. ^ a b c d Pucci, Douglas (March 11, 2024). "Friday Ratings: Back-to-Back S.W.A.T. Episodes Keep CBS on Top in Total Viewers". Programming Insider. Retrieved March 11, 2024.
  11. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (March 18, 2024). "Friday Ratings: ESPN, Fox and Big Ten Network Air Evening's Top Men's Basketball Conference Tournament Games". Programming Insider. Retrieved March 18, 2024.
  12. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (April 6, 2024). "Friday Ratings: Caitlin Clark and Victorious Iowa in NCAA Women's Final Four on ESPN Fuel New Viewership Record". Programming Insider. Retrieved April 8, 2024.
  13. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (April 15, 2024). "Friday Ratings: Masters Golf Second Round on ESPN Builds from Prior Day Figures". Programming Insider. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
  14. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (April 22, 2024). "Friday Ratings: ESPN and TNT Among Prime Time Demo Leaders with NBA Play-In". Programming Insider. Retrieved April 22, 2024.
  15. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (April 29, 2024). "Friday Ratings: NFL Draft Day Two Combined Audience Across ABC, ESPN and NFL Network Slips from '23". Programming Insider. Retrieved April 29, 2024.
  16. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (May 6, 2024). "Friday Ratings: CBS and ESPN Share Prime Time Victory". Programming Insider. Retrieved May 6, 2024.
  17. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (May 13, 2024). "Friday Ratings: Jeopardy! Masters on ABC Provides Slight Uptick in the Hour Among Total Viewers for ABC". Programming Insider. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
  18. ^ a b Pucci, Douglas (May 20, 2024). "Friday Ratings: Fire Country on CBS Rises to Two-Month Viewer High with Season Two Finale". Programming Insider. Retrieved May 20, 2024.
  19. ^ Andreeva, Nellie (May 5, 2023). "'S.W.A.T.' Canceled By CBS After 6 Seasons Amid Ratings Resurgence: Here's Why". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved May 5, 2023.
  20. ^ "S.W.A.T. Un-Cancelled! CBS Renews Drama for Final Season Following Backlash: 'We Listened to Our Viewers'". May 8, 2023.
  21. ^ "SWAT season 7 is not coming to CBS in 2023". July 19, 2023. Archived from the original on August 12, 2023. Retrieved August 12, 2023.
  22. ^ Petski, Denise (January 26, 2024). "'S.W.A.T.' Ups Anna Enger Ritch to Series Regular for Final Season". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved January 26, 2024.
  23. ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (February 9, 2024). "S.W.A.T. Moves Two Vets to Recurring in Final Season, EP Promises a 'Proper Curtain Call' for Each (Exclusive)". TVLine. Retrieved February 9, 2024.
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