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SWAT season 8 gets an encouraging episode count update!

As fans await SWAT season 8, we've been given an update on just how many episodes the new season will have!

By Michael Weyer

“Twenty Squad” – SWAT faces their deadliest adversary yet when a violent cell of extremists looks to extract vengeance by blowing up half of Los Angeles, potentially killing thousands. Still reeling from the anger and outrage directed at him by his own community, Hondo questions if he still has what it takes to lead 20-Squad, adding to the fear that he won’t be able to pull the team together in time to save the city, on the seventh season finale of the CBS Original series S.W.A.T., Friday, May
“Twenty Squad” – SWAT faces their deadliest adversary yet when a violent cell of extremists looks to extract vengeance by blowing up half of Los Angeles, potentially killing thousands. Still reeling from the anger and outrage directed at him by his own community, Hondo questions if he still has what it takes to lead 20-Squad, adding to the fear that he won’t be able to pull the team together in time to save the city, on the seventh season finale of the CBS Original series S.W.A.T., Friday, May /
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SWAT is celebrating its unexpected return for season 8. Fans are concerned that the episode count will be affected, but there's good news on that front!

The writers clearly planned for season 7 to be the series finale. It was set up by the exits of Street (taking a job in San Diego), Luca (retiring after being shot), and Deacon also retiring only to return to the team in the finale. 

The finale did wrap things up with the squad saving Los Angeles from an attack by eco-terrorists. That got good press for Hondo after he was blamed for shooting what people believed was an unarmed suspect. It also hinted that Hondo was going to fill up 20 Squad with Alfaro and maybe a new member as well. 

Of course, CBS threw a wrench into things by unexpectedly renewing SWAT for season 8. Season 7 had been planned to only be 13 episodes, which ended up working out after the season was delayed by the 2023 Hollywood strikes. The show is set for a Fall 2024 premiere on Fridays, so fans may be curious about whether the episode count will be affected. Here's what we know!

SWAT season 8 episode count

Speaking to TVLine, showrunner Andrew Dettman was quick to assure viewers that there are no plans for a shortened season 8. 

"We have plans to do 22 episodes, "which will take us to 163," Dettman stated. That's good news for fans, as the show has been better with these full seasons. The exception was season 4, which had 18 episodes due to production being shortened by the pandemic. 

CBS' schedule has SWAT as the kickoff on Friday nights, which seems to have become its new regular start time. It does well there as it will once more lead into Fire Country, then the final episodes of Blue Bloods. At midseason, NCIS: Sydney season 2 will take over the 8 p.m. ET slot and SWAT will shift to the 10 o'clock hour.

Having a full 22-episode season will be great for the show as it gives time to build up plotlines like the new member of 20 Squad and, no doubt, more of the personal dramas. Season 7 had been a bit short-shrift due to the lowered count and the expectations of this being the final year. So fans missed plots like the Hondo-Nichelle wedding amid the character goodbyes.

Season 8 should correct that even if it's up in the air if more seasons will come. But at least fans are assured CBS is making up for past mistakes giving SWAT a full year to play with.

SWAT season 7 is streaming on Paramount+.

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