Shemar Moore begs Netflix to save 'S.W.A.T.' after CBS axes show for third time

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Shemar Moore is hoping his long-running police procedural S.W.A.T. is able to survive yet another cancellation after CBS axed the series for a third time this week.

The network has twice dropped the show, now in its eighth season, only to bring it back after an outcry from its devoted fans.

After dropping two spinoffs in its FBI franchise, FBI: Most Wanted and FBI: International, as well as Blue Bloods, the channel has once again dumped the Friday-night staple — this time seemingly for good.

Showrunner and executive producer Andrew Dettmann mourned the recent programming decision as “heartbreaking news.”

“It’s been such an immense pleasure working with this cast and crew to put out a show that we’ve always been proud of. They are truly an extraordinary group of people who have all worked so hard and have been so dedicated for all these eight seasons, overcoming countless challenges,” he said in a statement to Entertainment Weekly.

Moore weighed in on the announcement by sharing a video with his four-million plus Instagram followers, telling CBS they aren’t “making the right choice” and adding that he’s not ready to stop playing Sergeant Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson Jr.

The Daytime Emmy winner also appealed to Netflix to give the show a new lease on life.

“Hey Netflix, how you doing?” Moore said on Instagram. “Let me just remind you that in a very short period of time, once upon a time ago …it only took us about two weeks to go from number 15 … to number one. And then we stayed in your top 10, top 15 for about six months, nine months, maybe a year. So Netflix, if you’re interested in a show that is on autopilot that the world is watching, we’d love to come play. NBC, Fox, ABC, hey, you want to come flirt with me? You’re invited to the barbecue. Pick your favourite restaurant. I will pay the bill.”

Moore continued, telling the streamer, “We ain’t done.”

“Trust me, all of us, the family over at SWAT, we ain’t done chasing bad guys and (performing) helicopter chases and motorcycle chases and car chases and blowing up stuff,” he pleaded.

CBS first dumped S.W.A.T. after six seasons in May 2023, but quickly reversed the decision announcing a seventh and final season. Then last spring, S.W.A.T. was given another reprieve when it was picked up for an eighth season.

“We were cancelled twice, two years in a row,” Moore said on Instagram. “Now I don’t know my history, but how many shows get to say that? I’m gonna say none, or I’m gonna say that we’re close to one of the none. But we did that. We are so proud … we defied the odds, and we made a hit television show that the world loved to watch. So I say to CBS, if you’re done, I know it’s about money, optics, politics. I don’t think you’re making the right choice. I’ll say that. But if you are done, I say thank you, genuinely, honestly from my heart.”

S.W.A.T. was based on a 1975 Aaron Spelling series of the same name that starred Steve Forrest and Robert Urich. The property was also adapted into a 2003 feature film that starred Samuel L. Jackson, Colin Farrell and Michelle Rodriguez.

The show centred on an L.A. born and raised S.W.A.T. sergeant (played by Moore) who leads an elite tactical team.

The final season of S.W.A.T. wraps this May.

mdaniell@postmedia.com