Following the cancellation of CBS’s long-running series S.W.A.T., its replacement, Sheriff Country, has experienced significant viewership growth. The final episode of S.W.A.T. aired in May 2023, marking the end of a series that successfully navigated cancellation twice. Despite its eventual farewell, S.W.A.T. will continue as a franchise, with Shemar Moore reprising his role in a spinoff.
Sheriff Country premiered in October 2023 and has since recorded seven consecutive weeks of rising viewership, according to data from Nielsen. The show averages approximately 6.24 million viewers per episode, outperforming its predecessor’s final season by 11% in the same time slot. The procedural has also accumulated 11.3 million viewers within 35 days of its premiere, making it the second most-watched new show during that period, only surpassed by the Blue Bloods spinoff Boston Blue.
Growing Popularity and Future Prospects
In terms of multi-platform viewing, Sheriff Country has seen a remarkable 63% increase compared to S.W.A.T.‘s ratings. The series stars Morena Baccarin as Sheriff Mickey Fox, who navigates her duties in the small town of Edgewater while managing complex family dynamics, including her relationship with her ex-con father and a mysterious subplot involving her daughter. The cast also features Christopher Gorham, Michele Weaver, Matt Lauria, and W. Earl Brown.
The show is set to take a hiatus after its episode on December 19, 2023, creating anticipation among viewers eager to follow its narrative. As CBS enjoys the success of Sheriff Country, plans for the S.W.A.T. spinoff, titled S.W.A.T. Exiles, are underway. This new series will feature Shemar Moore alongside a younger cast, echoing themes from Top Gun: Maverick.
Jay Harrington and Patrick St. Esprit will reprise their roles as Sergeant David “Deacon” Kay and Commander Robert Hicks, respectively, in the premiere episode of S.W.A.T. Exiles. While filming is ongoing, the spinoff does not yet have a confirmed release date or platform but may very well find its home on CBS, bolstered by the network’s current ratings success.
The transition from S.W.A.T. to Sheriff Country demonstrates the shifting landscape of television, where new narratives can capture audiences’ attention even amidst the conclusion of beloved series. This evolution speaks to the resilience and adaptability of storytelling on screen.
