Summary
SWAThas experienced many setbacks, but season 8 is on the way and the unfortunate aspect of the new episodes is that one significant change will irrefutably affect Shemar Moore’s character, Hondo. The police procedural is based on the 1975 show of the same name, with Moore headlining the cast since season 1. However,CBS canceledSWATbefore its season 6 finale, and it wouldn’t be the first time. The network un-canceled the show just to renew it for a seventh and final season, but nowSWATis returning for season 8, and it’s unclear whether it will be its last.
Moore is expected to reprise his role as Hondo inthe cast ofSWATseason 8alongside Jay Harrington as David Kay, David Lim as Victor Tan, Patrick St. Esprit as Robert Hicks, Anna Enger Ritch as Zoe Bowell, and Niko Pepaj as Miguel Alfaro. Fans might notice that some important main characters are missing from the list. Jim Street, Dominique Luca, and Jack Mumford won’t return. Additionally,the character closest to Hondo won’t be around much either inSWATseason 8.
SWAT Can’t Sustain Hondo & Nichelle’s Marriage Without Rochelle Aytes
Aytes Is Exiting SWAT In Season 8
Rochelle Aytes has been cast as Mary Morstan inWatson,an upcoming CBS medical drama inspired by Arthur Conan Doyle’s Sherlock Holmes stories. Since Aytes is a series regular in the new show (which is rumored to premiere on CBS in January 2025), the actress has exitedSWAT. Consequently, many are worried about the fate of her character, Nichelle Carmichael, andher relationship with Hondo inSWATseason 8. According toTVLine, though, fans haven’t seen the last of Nichelle.
If CBS continues renewingSWATandWatsonperforms well, the writers and producers must write Nichelle out of the show.
Aytes will reportedly reprise her role as Nichelle"within the first eight episodes or so." So, the actress is likely to appear in one episode to explain herfuture absence inSWATseason 8. Also, the producers are adamant that Hondo and Nichelle will remain happily married even after Aytes is gone. The fictional couple’s relationship will just primarily exist offscreen going forward. Despite the promise, it’s going to be difficult for the writers and producers to sustain this arrangement as the episodes go on, especially ifSWATruns for many more seasons.
SWAT’s Promised Chris & Street Wedding Shouldn’t Happen In Season 8 Because Of This 1 Big Reason
A wedding between Chris and Street is likely in the cards for the CBS police procedural TV series SWAT, but it shouldn’t take place in season 8.
The Couple Might Have To Split
The police procedural series can only make so many excuses as to why Nichelle is nowhere to be found before it becomes unbelievable.It’s quite odd for Nichelle to disappear in the first place,after all. IfCBS continues renewingSWATandWatsonperforms well, the writers and producers must write Nichelle out of the show.
SWATseason 8, which consists of 22 episodes, is set to premiere on Friday, July 25, 2025, at 8 p.m. ET on CBS.
There are only so many ways that characters can be written out of TV shows. They could die, move away, etc. However, in Nichelle’s case,the most likely option is that she and Hondo get a divorce,which would be devastating for Shemar Moore’s character. Hopefully, that won’t be the case, butSWATdoesn’t have many options to work with following Rochelle Aytes' exit.
S.W.A.T.
Cast
S.W.A.T. (2017): This crime-action series follows a locally born S.W.A.T. lieutenant in Los Angeles who must navigate his loyalties between the streets and his duty to commanding a highly-trained unit responsible for resolving challenging crimes. The series explores themes of allegiance, justice, and responsibility within law enforcement.
