With “SWAT”, a new edition of the 1970s cult series of the same name (also known in Germany as “The Tough Five”) was launched on the American broadcaster CBS in 2017 – and became a great success. Also in Germany, the police series about Hondo’s special forces unit, embodied by “Criminal Minds” star Shemar Moore, has received a huge boost in popularity in recent years due to its availability on Netflix (however, the series is celebrating its German premiere on Sky).
The shock to fans worldwide at the following news should be all the greater: “SWAT” was surprisingly canceled, so the current sixth season will also be the last. American trade journals report this unanimously.
The premature ending of “SWAT” is especially surprising because the series’ reach was actually still compelling in its sixth year. As is usually the case with longer-running series, the average ratings have fallen somewhat compared to the first seasons, but have remained at a decent level lately and, measured by the figures of season 5, could even rise again. But why was the plug pulled in the first place? This is where it gets a bit complicated…
That’s why “SWAT” was canceled
If you break it down “SWAT” apparently fell through because broadcaster CBS and production company Sony Pictures TV could not agree on the further financing of the very expensive series. At least that is what the generally well-informed trade journal wants have discovered and also seems to fit with what Shemar Moore said.
The visibly disbelieving “SWAT” actor has now expressed his incomprehension and displeasure at the firing in an Instagram video:
Similar to showrunner Shawn Ryan (“The Shield”, “The Night Agent”) in a statement but Moore also hopes that Sony and CBS will relent and reverse the cancellation of the series. A rescue by another provider, as was the case with some other discontinued series in the past, is now considered quite unlikely.
The end of the series on Netflix is not yet in sight
While the sixth “SWAT” season is currently running on Sky and its streaming service WOW, the many viewers who follow the series in this country on Netflix still have a little time to think about preparing for the farewell. So far, only the first four seasons are available on the streaming platform, with season 5 expected in the second half of 2023.
But if the sixth and now final season also comes here, it probably won’t be a very smooth finish for fans, as the cancellation was announced at a time when season 6 had already been produced and only two episodes were left. One can only hope that at least the season doesn’t end on a massive cliffhanger.