S.W.A.T. Has Been Canceled Despite High Ratings And Its Star Is Angry
CBS has canceled the hit series S.W.A.T., despite its popularity.
Series cancellations have affected a number of hit shows from Rachael Ray to Star Trek: Discovery. Now a lead actor from a recently canceled series is speaking out. According to a Deadline article, SWAT actor Shemar Moore has angrily called out the show’s network CBS.
Moore shared his feelings on SWAT’s cancellation in an Instagram post earlier this week, noting that “it makes no sense.” The actor lamented that they’ve done “nothing wrong” and “everything that was asked for.” Moore referenced “politics,” “licensing,” and “money” as some of the factors that played a part in the show’s cancellation, which he ultimately called a “mistake.”
He called out the network on behalf of himself and his SWAT co-workers, stating: “That’s a whole lot of people who are abruptly being told you that don’t matter, sorry, thank you for your services. Good luck in finding a new job. To me that’s not okay.” Moore’s frustration seems to be coming from a place of disappointment for himself, co-workers, and viewers who he feels will not get the ending that they deserve.
Shemar Moore plays series lead Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson, a former Marine and SWAT team leader. Outside of his work on SWAT, Moore has had a number of notable roles on series such as The Young and the Restless, Criminal Minds, and as host of Soul Train. Along with Moore, SWAT stars Stephanie Sigman, Alex Russell, Jay Harrington, and Lina Esco.
SWAT has been airing on CBS since its premiere on November 2nd, 2017, and is currently finishing up its sixth season. Based on the 1975 television series of the same name and created by Aaron Rahsaan Thomas and Shawn Ryan, it follows the Los Angeles Police Department’s Special Weapons and Tactics (SWAT) unit as they handle high-risk missions and resolve crises in their community. Shawn Ryan is one of the producers behind series like The Shield and the recent Netflix hit The Night Agent.
SWAT has been commercially successful since its premiere, with its first season averaging 9.8 million viewers and ranking as the third most-watched scripted series on CBS. The show has also received positive reviews from critics and holds a 7.1 out of 10 on IMDb. Many have praised it for its diverse cast, commitment to realism, and socially relevant storylines.
One thing that has stood out about SWAT’s storytelling is its insistence on portraying real-world issues. The series broaches complex topics such as police brutality, immigration, racism, and drug addiction in a nuanced manner. Showrunners have attempted to acknowledge the flaws in the justice system while highlighting some of the risks and challenges that law enforcement officers face.
CBS and the lead studio Sony TV failed to come to a financial agreement after attempting to negotiate the show’s renewal. This led to the SWAT’s cancellation, and it appears unlikely the series will be picked up by CBS or anywhere else at this time.
SWAT will air its two-part finale beginning on May 12th with the final episode airing on May 19th. Although it may not be the finale that Moore had hoped for, the series finale will hopefully bring at least some feeling of closure to longtime fans of the series.
