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Actor Shemar Moore was excited just a year ago about the shocking news that S.W.A.T. managed to earn itself another season. It was a moment of relief and excitement for the show’s cast and crew since the series was headed for cancellation after season 7.
But fans of the show are reliving their heartache all over again after CBS recently announced that S.W.A.T. won’t be returning for another season. However, Moore offered some words of encouragement for the show’s audience who helped the procedural survive for so long.
Shemar Moore gives a heartwarming message to ‘S.W.A.T.’ fans about the show’s cancellation
Although S.W.A.T. has come back from cancellation before, currently there’s little sign it will be renewed a third time. Shawn Ryan delivered a farewell letter to the show’s cast, crew, and fans that all but confirmed its fate.
“It’s been an extraordinary privilege to work on S.W.A.T. for eight seasons and tell the stories of Hondo and 20-Squad,” Ryan said according to Deadline. “I thank our fans, Shemar Moore, the rest of our cast, our producers, Sony Pictures Television, CBS Studios and CBS for the opportunity. Most of all I want to thank our tireless, dedicated crew who made our writers, directors and cast always look good. My greatest concern right now is for them.”
The show’s star Moore also took to Instagram to express his feelings over S.W.A.T.’s cancellation. But he didn’t just focus on the show’s end, but rather brought attention to how special the series was while it lasted.
“Uncanceled twice, two years in a row, uncancelled, canceled, uncancelled,” Moore said. “Now I don’t know my history, but how many shows get to say that? I’m gonna say none, or I’m gonna say that we’re close to one of the none. But we did that. We did that, and we are so proud.”
But he didn’t let CBS off the work for doing away with a series that resonated with many. Moore cautioned that the network was making a mistake it didn’t learn from the last time they tried to prematurely terminate the show.
“I say to CBS, if you’re done — I know it’s about money, optics, politics — I don’t think you’re making the right choice. I’ll say that. But if you are done, I say thank you, genuinely, honestly, from my heart,” Moore said.
Shemar Moore reminded other networks that ‘S.W.A.T.’ was back on the market
The end of S.W.A.T. didn’t mean the end for Moore. The Criminal Minds alum reminded fans that the cancellation only meant the beginning of another personal journey he was eager to explore.
“I bow out gracefully, and I’m excited about my new chapter. Right now. I’m just gonna chase around my little baby girl, my little daughter, but then I’ll get back on the saddle, put my cape on and go be Shemar Franklin Moore,” he said.
However, he signaled other potential networks that S.W.A.T. was theirs for the taking if they were interested.
“Hey, Netflix, how you doing? Netflix, if you’re interested in a show that is in autopilot that the world is watching, we’d love to come play. NBC, Fox, ABC, hey, you want to come flirt with me? You’re invited to the barbecue. Pick your favorite restaurant. I will pay the bill,” he said.
“The family over at S.W.A.T., we ain’t done chasing bad guys and helicopter chases and motorcycle chases and car chases and blowing up stuff,” Moore added.
It may seem unlikely that any network would help rescue the S.W.A.T. team a third time. However, Netflix’s role in keeping the series around shouldn’t be understated. The steaming service has a history of bolstering the popularity of programs like Breaking Bad and You thanks to their binge-model and accessibility. After S.W.A.T. was canceled and picked up by Netflix, it enjoyed a similar boost. Additionally, fan-demand also helped the series live to air another season. Speaking with the Emmys, Moore showed his appreciation for the show’s audience and Netflix for giving S.W.A.T. more legs.
“None of us saw that coming,” Moore said of the show’s Netflix success. “I think the cancellation and pickup made people curious. It’s a dream come true to be the lead, and I’d like to say it’s all about me. ‘Shemar’s eyebrows, they workin’ Netflix!’ But it takes a village. We are about 300 people, making a show that is resonating all over the world. If this [had been] the end, [I’d] stand proud and grateful.”
