When CBS canceled S.W.A.T. for the third time, it looked like the writing was on the wall. However, it turned out that not everyone was done with the series, and it wasn’t just Shemar Moore looking for a new home for it. Sony wasn’t finished telling the story, as it shopped the series around to other networks and streaming platforms, which could have meant S.W.A.T. season 9 being developed after all.
There’s no doubt that continuing the story after S.W.A.T. season 8 would have been better than the Hondo spinoff. This isn’t to say the spinoff is a bad idea, but it won’t include any of the other core characters, and that’s the disappointing element of it. Finding out that there could have been a ninth season elsewhere makes the spinoff even more of a bittersweet decision.
Sony Shopped S.W.A.T. Season 9 To Other Broadcasters After CBS Canceled It A 3rd Time
S.W.A.T. Could Have Lived On Another Network
When it came to the cancellations of FBI: International and FBI: Most Wanted, one of the most disappointing elements was that neither of the shows were being shopped around. They accepted the cancellations and moved on. That wasn’t the case for S.W.AT., with not just the cast and crew but also the studio looking for a new home for the series. Sony Pictured TV Studios prexy Katherine Pope explained to Variety that they weren’t done with the series.
“It felt very clear from CBS that this was the end. It was a difficult decision for them, but it felt very final. So we set out to sell the show elsewhere. We tried really hard, and we felt like we got close at a place or two, but we just couldn’t quite get it over the line.”
To make things worse, it sounds like the era of moving shows from one network to another is ending. Pope went on to explain that it's getting harder for networks to save canceled shows, especially those that have run on one network for many years, such as this CBS series. In the end, it was easier to bring a spinoff series, which was something the Sony execs had talked about for some time as a way to expand the S.W.A.T. universe.
“Moving a show from one platform that’s had it for such a long time to another in today’s world, I think, is really difficult.”
What S.W.A.T. Season 9 Could Have Been About
S.W.A.T. Season 8 Made It Clear 20-Squad Stayed Liquid
Shemar Moore as Hondo in S.W.A.T.
The S.W.A.T. series finale did work well as a series finale, but it also worked perfectly as a season finale. It was clear that there were more stories to tell should the series have landed another season. While characters moved up in their career, but they also remained with 20-Squad, and the series ended with the team getting called out to a new case.
Had CBS not canceled S.W.A.T., we could have seen Tan in his Mayoral Liaison position, which could have meant a focus on more of the politics within the police department. Of course, there would always be some danger, as some people attempt to assassinate people in charge. Deacon’s security firm was growing exponentially, opening the door for more cases to come from there, and Powell was dealing with her personal life changing as she reconnected to her ex and the son they had but she gave up for adoption.
This could have even led into the spinoff idea. We know from the spinoff that Hondo has been forced to retire, and now he will come out of retirement to lead a new, young team. S.W.A.T. season 9 could have set up that storyline of him being forced out of the unit, giving us the setup needed to want the spinoff even more.
S.W.A.T. Season 9 Sounds Better Than Hondo's Spinoff
We Want To See More Of The Whole Team
There is also the fact that there are still many storylines left open with exciting potential. Tan is the biggest, as he grows in his leadership capabilities and seemed excited about the job that he was doing, even in a meeting room. Miko had learned how to handle his need for revenge and make the system work for him, and Gamble had found a family that accepted her, even for some of her flaws. Now we want to know where they go from here, especially if Hondo is being forced to retire before the S.W.A.T. spinoff.
