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CBS drama S.W.A.T. resumes production on season 4 despite challenges

By Rachel Carrington

Photo Credit: S.W.A.T./CBS, Bill Inoshita Image Acquired from CBS Press Express
Photo Credit: S.W.A.T./CBS, Bill Inoshita Image Acquired from CBS Press Express /
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After a five month hiatus, S.W.A.T. resumed production on season 4 on August 4

The Shemar Moore led CBS drama, S.W.A.T. is the first broadcast primetime scripted series to resume production after the coronavirus shutdowns, according to Deadline. The series is scheduled for a fall 2020 premiere.

The executive producer of the FOX series, Aaron Rahsaan Thomas, admitted that the experience was sure to be full of “triumphs and lessons minute by minute.” Shemar Moore took to his Instagram to celebrate the first days of production with pictures and a video and admits there are a lot of challenges to overcome.

The challenges of filming S.W.A.T. during a pandemic

The challenges, of course, involve the pandemic which has more and more states requiring that masks be worn inside all public buildings, California included. According to the website that displays COVID-19 prevention instructions, California residents are required to wear a mask while in an indoor public space, while standing in line, at work, especially when co-workers are around, and even while outside if a distance of six feet cannot be maintained.

S.W.A.T. revolves around the Special Weapons and Tactics team based in Los Angeles, and the actors often spend time in close contact while indoors, whether in the situation room, locker rooms, or the gym. At least three of the officers are involved in intimate relationships which may have to be curtailed during this time.

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SWAT Photo: Sonja Flemming/CBS ©2019 CBS Broadcasting, Inc. All Rights Reserved. /

S.W.A.T. will pick up with what should have been the season 3 finale

When S.W.A.T. wrapped its third season early due to the pandemic, the original season 3 finale had to be scrapped. Though the show only lost one episode, it was intended to be a powerful one, with flashbacks to the 1992 Los Angeles riots as seen through a teenage Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson’s (Shemar Moore) eyes.

Ryan mentioned at the end of the season that the finale will either open the season or be an early episode in season 4. Wherever it might appear in the lineup of episodes, Ryan has promised that they will get around to filming it because “that’s a special one.”

Next. In a moving episode, S.W.A.T. shines a light on mental health. dark

How do you think S.W.A.T. writers will handle the challenges of the pandemic? Share your thoughts in the comments below. 

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