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S.W.A.T. star Shemar Moore addresses the potential returns of Alex Russell and Kenny Johnson, following their season 7 departures. It was confirmed earlier this year that original cast members Johnson and Russell, who respectively play Dominique Luca and Jim Street, will only recur during season 7 of the CBS series. Despite the change in status, their familiar characters both got prominent farewells in what was supposed to be the show’s final season. Since then, though, CBS has renewed S.W.A.T. for an eighth season.

During a recent event for CBS, Moore spoke to Deadline about the surprise renewal of S.W.A.T. season 8. The lead actor, who plays Sergeant II Daniel “Hondo” Harrelson Jr., reflected on past actors that have left the show. He indicated that Street and Luca could return, since neither character died. The quote is below:

It’s hard to say goodbye to a bunch of wonderful people. Alex Russell, Kenny Johnson and a couple of seasons back we lost Lina Esco. Change is hard; so now we have some OGs, myself as Hondo, Deacon [Jay Harrington], Hicks [Patrick St. Esprit], Tan [David Lim] and some newbies. But regarding those people that you miss, nobody died. And in the world of Hollywood, anything can happen.

How Did S.W.A.T. Write Off Russell & Street?

It Was An Emotional Farewell

Russell does not appear in the first few episodes of S.W.A.T. season 7, as it’s revealed that Street is working with the Long Beach SWAT team. However, in episode 5, fittingly titled “End of the Road,” that story detail proves to have major consequences. While the Long Beach squad tries to take down a biker gang, Street’s old boss, Sergeant Barry Jones (Brian Letscher), is shot and killed.

Street decides to stay where he is and lead the Long Beach squad, eventually besting the biker gang and its leader. Before he leaves for Long Beach, though, Street says goodbye to Hondo, and he thanks Hondo for teaching him how to lead. As for Luca’s departure, it was equally bittersweet. In episode 7, “Last Call,” he had to retire from injuries that left him incapable of returning to the job. Nonetheless, he was given a ceremony to celebrate his contributions. If he ever was to return to the show, it seems likely Luca wouldn’t take on an action-heavy role.

Based on what’s known about the S.W.A.T. season 7 finale, which airs on May 17, Hondo finds himself questioning if he has what it takes to lead the team. The story seems like a natural progression for the action drama, which gained an unexpected renewal, but will still have to deal with the ramifications of the shifts in the familiar ensemble. Now that more S.W.A.T. episodes are guaranteed to be on the way, there will be ample opportunity for previous characters to return, should they wish to.