The potential S.W.A.T. season 9 gets addressed by creator and executive producer Shawn Ryan. The action drama series, led by Shemar Moore, has a unique history at CBS. It has come back from the brink of cancellation twice and is now airing a full installment of 22 episodes for the current S.W.A.T. season 8. But despite the procedural's good fortune and loyal viewership, questions remain about its future.
In an interview with Deadline, while promoting his Netflix series The Night Agent, Ryan addresses the possibility of S.W.A.T. season 9. The creator and executive producer, who served as showrunner until Andrew Dettman took over the role in season 7, shares that executives have supported the long-running action drama. Ryan particularly cites David Ellison, the CEO of Skydance Media, who is in the process of acquiring CBS' parent company Paramount Global. Still, in the quote below, Ryan explains why the renewal process is uncertain.
It’s been called the final season the last three or four seasons, hasn’t it?
The show I think is beloved in the executive ranks at CBS, the show is beloved by our audience. The show creatively, I’m happy and somewhat embarrassed to say, hasn’t dropped a step since I handed over the showrunning reins to Andy Dettman. But we also understand that a corporate change is happening in that world. I know David Ellison, I wrote a movie for him back in the day.
I don’t know what the plans are. I don’t know what the criteria for renewal is going to be. It seems like it could be much different than years past. I don’t know if it’s an advantage or disadvantage that we’re produced by an outside studio this year. I think economics are going to play into things, so it’s all uncertain, but we’re just going to continue to make the best show we can that our audience loves, and we’ll see where the chips fall. And that’s what we’ve done the last few seasons. We’re really proud of the legacy of that show.
The Status Of S.W.A.T. Season 9 Explained
Renewal & Cancellation Decisions May Not Be Coming Soon
The interview with Deadline contains some new reporting on the status of CBS shows. Firstly. renewals are not expected until March or April, which is when the deal between Skydance and Paramount will reportedly close. Secondly, as it relates to S.W.A.T. season 9, talks about the show's future have yet to begin between the production studio and the network.
Still, whenever talks do begin, past sticking points are expected to remain. This includes the episode count and the license fee, which is the money that the network pays a production studio to air a series. CBS had disagreements with the production studio Sony Pictures Television over the number for each of these, with CBS wanting a lower fee. According to reports, Ryan stepped in himself and agreed to keep the show's budget at a level that helped pave the way for a renewal.
The assumption is that the same process will play out for season 9. But as Ryan says, it's unclear what the likely new parent ownership of Skydance will mean for the existing slate of CBS comedies and dramas. The network has so far only renewed one series, the Kathy Bates legal dramedy Matlock.
Our Take On S.W.A.T.'s Renewal Chances
CBS Should Let The Show Say Goodbye
Ellison's Skydance and Ryan previously worked together on a movie adaptation of Tom Clancy's Without Remorse, which ultimately didn't move forward. It's not yet known whether, as Ryan suggests, the positive views that executives have of S.W.A.T. will factor into a renewal. Considering how the action series recently replaced Blue Bloods in its timeslot, it would make sense for CBS to allow another veteran series to bow out on its own terms. However, financial considerations are difficult to predict.
S.W.A.T. season 8 will return to CBS on Friday, January 31 at 10 PM ET
Source: Deadline
