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CBS’ crime drama S.W.A.T. may not have reached the same level of popularity as NCIS or Blue Bloods, but its resilience is undeniable—it has survived two cancellations and continues to defy expectations. Between 2023 and 2024, the show found itself in limbo as Sony and CBS struggled to reach an agreement to keep it on the air. After a series of setbacks and unexpected twists, the two companies finally struck a deal—but not without a fair share of controversy along the way.

S.W.A.T.’s Uncertain Future

Premiering in 2017, S.W.A.T. follows LAPD Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson as he leads an elite Special Weapons and Tactics unit while bridging the gap between law enforcement and the Black community. A key factor in the show’s appeal is lead actor Shemar Moore, whose dedicated fanbase from Criminal Minds helped establish S.W.A.T. as a steady performer. While it never ranked among the highest-rated network series, it maintained a strong enough viewership to justify multiple renewals—until season seven negotiations took a turn for the worse.

The First Cancellation

Unlike many cancellations driven by declining ratings, S.W.A.T.’s troubles stemmed from a financial dispute. The show, an adaptation of a short-lived 1975 TV series and a 2003 film, was a co-production between CBS and Sony, with CBS paying Sony a licensing fee. That arrangement remained stable until Katherine Pope took over as president of Sony Pictures Television and refused to lower the fee.

CBS, already facing financial strain—especially after asking the Blue Bloods cast to take a 25% pay cut to secure a 14th season—pushed back against Sony’s demands. CBS proposed a compromise: they would accept the higher licensing fee but reduce season seven’s episode count from 22 to 13. Sony rejected the offer, and CBS responded by announcing S.W.A.T.’s cancellation after six seasons.

Backlash and Reversal

The decision sparked outrage from both the cast and fans. Shemar Moore took to Instagram, calling the cancellation senseless, while former showrunner Shawn Ryan voiced his frustration over being left out of negotiations. Ryan also assured executives that he could make a 13-episode season work. The backlash, combined with Ryan’s insistence, led CBS to reverse its decision—renewing the show for a seventh and final season, marking S.W.A.T.’s second cancellation.

A Surprise Renewal

Just when fans thought S.W.A.T. was ending for good, CBS reversed course yet again, renewing the series for an eighth season. The sudden change of heart was reportedly fueled by the show’s increasing success on streaming platforms, particularly Netflix, where it found a new audience. Now in its eighth season with a full 22-episode slate, S.W.A.T. continues to prove its staying power.

What’s Next?

As of now, S.W.A.T.‘s fate beyond season eight remains uncertain. Showrunner Shawn Ryan recently admitted he isn’t sure what the future holds, though he believes the show is “beloved in the executive ranks at CBS.” A final decision may not come until March or April 2025, when Skydance Media finalizes its acquisition of Paramount Global.

For now, fans can catch new episodes of S.W.A.T. every Friday at 10 PM ET on CBS. Whether season eight will be the true end—or if the show will beat the odds yet again—remains to be seen.

With his 80th birthday just days away, Tom Selleck has no plans to slow down, even after Blue Bloods came to an end.

“He already misses the Blue Bloods cast and crew,” an insider exclusively told Closer, adding that Tom is interested in keeping the franchise alive. “He would definitely do a spinoff and TV movie.”

The long-running series aired its final episode on December 13, 2024, closing with Tom’s character, Frank Reagan, receiving the exciting news that he would soon be a grandfather again, as Jamie Reagan and Eddie Janko-Reagan announced they were expecting their first child.

Following the finale, Tom, 79, admitted that saying goodbye after 14 seasons wasn’t easy.

“The hardest thing right now is that, at this time of year, I would usually be filming episodes of Blue Bloods, and I miss that,” the Emmy winner shared with Entertainment Weekly on December 14, 2024. “What tugs at me the most is the family of actors we had and the friendships we formed. It’s like high school graduation—everyone says they’ll keep in touch, but life happens. That’s true in movies too; you build relationships, and then it’s over.”

Tom’s deep bond with his costars both on and off screen made it even harder to accept that Blue Bloods had officially come to an end. However, with his interest in a possible spinoff or TV movie, fans may not have seen the last of Frank Reagan just yet.

Tom Selleck celebrated his 80th birthday with a simple treat from McDonald’s. In photos obtained by Closer, the Blue Bloods star was spotted at the drive-thru, picking up a meal just one day before his milestone birthday.

Captured on Tuesday, January 28, the images show Tom receiving a bag of food from the drive-thru window and holding a cup with a straw in hand.

His outing came just a month after bidding farewell to Blue Bloods and his beloved character, Frank Reagan, after 14 seasons. Reflecting on the show’s end, Tom admitted it was difficult, especially saying goodbye to his tight-knit cast.

“The family of actors is as close as the Reagan family and the characters that they play,” he shared in an October 3, 2024, interview with TV Insider. “There isn’t a single one of them who didn’t want to come back. Most shows don’t end that way—there’s petty jealousy and all sorts of things—but we seemed to overcome that. It’s something for everybody to hang their hats on and be proud of.”

According to a source from Closer, Tom’s wife, Jillie Mack, planned a low-key birthday celebration and intended to invite some of his former co-stars to join the special occasion.