S.W.A.T. Season 5 Sets CBS Premiere Date, And Shemar Moore Is Pumped

Shemar Moore as Daniel "Hondo" Harrelson in S.W.A.T.

Recently, it was revealed that Season 5 of CBS’ S.W.A.T. will premiere with a two-part episode during which Shemar Moore’s Hondo will find himself south of the border for various reasons in a Mexico-set storyline. The network has now announced its fall premiere dates and the Criminal Minds alum is (very understandably) pumped.

Season 5 of the cop procedural will be premiering this fall on Friday, October 1, officially marking a move for S.W.A.T., and the first movement on Season 5. With production on the upcoming season starting and the premiere date now announced, fans and the cast are appropriately excited. Shemar Moore shared his excitement on Instagram and even teased what’s in store for Season 5 with an enthusiastic post.

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Shemar Moore has always been very pumped about S.W.A.T. and his character, Hondo. Following the Season 5 renewal, the actor even shared a video from set in which he exclaimed over the news to his fellow cast and crew. It made me even more excited for what is to come. Though there currently isn’t any other information on Season 5 besides the aforementioned two-part premiere, it’s likely more news will come out as we get closer to the October 1 date and fans will have that to look forward to.

Even though S.W.A.T.’s fifth season will premiere in October, it's worth noting the show will only be airing the first three episodes before taking a break. Global Citizen competition series The Activist will take over S.W.A.T.’s Friday night slot starting on October 22. The drama will return to its regularly scheduled time on Friday, December 3 before moving to Sundays later in the season. S.W.A.T.’s shifting schedule may not be good news to fans who were patient during the many breaks last season, but should be worth it considering how “incredible” the season will be, according to Shemar Moore.

The fourth season of S.W.A.T. ended on some cliffhangers that set up for Season 5. With Shemar Moore’s Hondo demoted, he has some things to figure out-- which is where Mexico is coming in. Meanwhile, Alex Russell’s Street had transplant surgery for his mother, but after he and Lena Esco’s Chris shared a moment before she went to Germany, anything can happen with the two of them. The upcoming season is set to take place a few months after the Season 4 finale, meaning so much can happen in that time before we’re reunited with the David Squad once again.

S.W.A.T.’s fifth season is still a few months away -- though it already seems like Season 4 was a lifetime ago. Now that things are getting back to normal after a the unpredictable year for the cast, television has never felt more ready and rearing to go. It already seems like Season 5 is going to be bigger and better than ever, and I'm already champing at the bit to see more of Shemar Moore and the David Squad when they return on Friday, October 1 at 8 p.m. EST on CBS!

To see more upcoming TV dates, take a look at our full fall TV schedule to see when your favorites will be back.

Megan Behnke
Freelance TV News Writer

Passionate writer. Obsessed with anything and everything entertainment, specifically movies and television. Can get easily attached to fictional characters.