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Devin is sticking around: Annie Ilonzeh promoted to series regular in SWAT season 8

Annie Ilonzeh has been promoted to a full cast regular on SWAT so we can expect a lot more of Gamble!

By Michael Weyer

“Gang Unit” – When a spree of brutal stash house robberies spills into L.A., 20-Squad must team up with the sheriff’s department’s gang unit to unmask a violent crew who leaves no witness alive, on S.W.A.T., Friday, Oct. 25 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)*. Pictured (L-R): Annie Ilonzeh as Devin Gamble and
“Gang Unit” – When a spree of brutal stash house robberies spills into L.A., 20-Squad must team up with the sheriff’s department’s gang unit to unmask a violent crew who leaves no witness alive, on S.W.A.T., Friday, Oct. 25 (8:00-9:00 PM, ET/PT) on the CBS Television Network, and streaming on Paramount+ (live and on-demand for Paramount+ with SHOWTIME subscribers, or on-demand for Paramount+ Essential subscribers the day after the episode airs)*. Pictured (L-R): Annie Ilonzeh as Devin Gamble and /
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It looks like SWAT fans can count on Devin Gamble sticking around for a while, thanks to a promotion for Annie Ilonzeh!

Fans of SWAT had thought Season 7 would be the end of the long-running CBS hit. Instead, the network surprisingly renewed it for an eighth season, which premiered with a new face in Devin Gamble (Annie Ilonzeh). She debuted in the eighth season premiere as a new hire for 20 Squad.

TVLine now reports that what began as a recurring role is now permanent as Ilonzeh has been promoted to a series regular. She should be appearing in the show's opening credits starting in the first new episode of 2025. 

Gamble's addition to the show has brought some major drama. The backstory is that she's the "black sheep" of a family long embroiled in L.A. crime. In fact, her father went to jail for killing a sheriff's deputy. Hondo sees Gamble's potential and wants to give her a chance, but Hicks is unsure. 

It got harder when someone spilled the info on Gamble's past and naturally, the daughter of a cop killer isn't going to have an easy time with other cops. While the rest of the team has her back, Gamble has had to put up with things from her car being vandalized to being openly threatened and Hicks feeling political pressure to keep her on the team. 

That may have had fans wondering if Gamble was going to be a brief role before being replaced. Ilonzeh being in the opening credits seems to thwart that, as there's more coming for the character. 

What's coming for Gamble in SWAT season 8?

Gamble's past will be front and center in SWAT's midseason finale on Friday, Dec. 13. Titled "Left of Boom," the team has to aid in stopping a possible nuclear attack in Los Angeles. That will involve Gamble having a not-so-pleasant reunion with her father, Ernie (Riff Hutton). 

Gamble is proving herself with the team, winning the trust of the rest to back her up. We're learning more about her past, as the last episode had her reaching out to her brother to help repair a broken cop car. Tan was impressed by how she was escaping this criminal life. 

Yet Gamble still faces other cops blaming her for what her father did and the question of how much she may have done for her family in the past. While Hicks may want to protect an officer, he's also wary of having Gamble on the team and the political pressure may force him to make a tough choice. 

For now, fans of SWAT can be happy that Gamble is sticking around for a great addition for the new year.

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SWAT Season 8 airs Fridays at 8/7c on CBS.

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