S.W.A.T.season 8 introduces a key new team member to Hondo’s team, previewing what to expect when the long-running action drama returns.After an eventful seventh installment, both in front of the camera and behind the scenes.S.W.A.T.season 7 was originally intended to be the show’s last, though CBS reversed its decision and confirmed a renewal after negotiations with producing company Sony Pictures Television. But with another batch of episodes confirmed, there will be some changes coming to the team led by Shemar Moore’s lead character Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson.
Ahead of the premiere ofS.W.A.T.season 8, which debuts on CBS at 8 PM ET on Friday, October 18,CBS Entertainmenthas shared new photos and information about the season premiere which is titled “Vanished.” The photos offera first look atChicago Fireactor Annie Ilonzeh in the pivotal recurring role of Devin Gamble, while the synopsis previews a personal mission for Hondo. Both are included below:
SWAT tackles a mission with personal ties for Hondo when they race to find a group of missing students and their bus driver, Hondo’s former high school football coach. Also, Hicks has reservations regarding Hondo’s new 20-Squad team addition, Devin Gamble (Annie Ilonzeh), a cop with a family background deeply entrenched in crime.
The Familiar Face On S.W.A.T. Creates A New Dynamic
Devin Gamble Has A Complicated History
The new character’s arrival onS.W.A.T.season 8will be an easy one at first. Devin was born into a Los Angeles crime family, though she has never wanted to be defined by her past and her last name. Devin believed that she could stand on her own and create her path by joining the LAPD and becoming a standout rookie. However, when her father is arrested for a heinous crime, Devin leaves LA and joins the Oakland police department.Hondo is the one to bring her backto the team after some significant departures.
Ilonzeh isn’t the only change to the cast, as Niko Pepaj has been upgraded to a series regular forS.W.A.T.season 8 after recurring as Miguel Alfaro since season 6.
Ilonzeh will be recognizable to TV viewers for her role as Emily Foster inChicago Fire, along with her other long-running roles, including playing Lana inSwitched at Birthand Joanna De La Vega early inArrow. She also appeared in shows likeEmpire,Person of Interest, andAmerican Horror Story: Cult. The actor joinsS.W.A.T.after two high-profile exits in Hondo’s team.
SWAT Season 8 Undoing Deacon’s Retirement Highlights Its Biggest Challenge Moving Forward
Deacon was contemplating retiring from the team, but with the SWAT season 7 finale and season 8’s cast, that is seemingly not the case.
Jim Street (Alex Russell) and Kenny Johnson (Dominique Luca) were bothwritten off duringS.W.A.T.season 7. They could return in a guest capacity as neither character was killed off. But for the time being, the action drama is looking ahead by introducing a new face and hinting at complications for Hondo.Those complications do not extend to Hondo’s personal life, at least. Even though Rochelle Aytes has moved on to the CBS showWatson, her character won’t go far. Nichelle Carmichael, Hondo’s wife, will still recur.
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S.W.A.T. (2017): This crime-action series follows a locally born S.W.A.T. lieutenant in Los Angeles who must navigate his loyalties between the streets and his duty to commanding a highly-trained unit responsible for resolving challenging crimes. The series explores themes of allegiance, justice, and responsibility within law enforcement.
