Will Rochelle Aytes' Nichelle return to S.W.A.T. Season 8? Character's fate explored

CBS's S.W.A.T., the police procedural series, is based on the 1975 television show of the same name, created by Aaron Rahsaan Thomas and Shawn Ryan.

The show recently premiered its season 8, which is a miracle because CBS had earlier canceled the show after season 7. But the network reversed its decision, for a second time, and fans finally got a new season of the hit police procedural.

But season 8 came with some disheartening news, as it was reported that Rochelle Aytes' Nichelle Carmichael will not return for the new season. Aytes joined another CBS show, which created filming conflicts with S.W.A.T.

A recent report from TVLine has confirmed that Aytes' Nichelle will not return for S.W.A.T. Season 8, but her character will continue to be a part of the show as Hondo's wife.

More on Nichelle's fate in S.W.A.T. in our story.

Exploring Nichelle's character and fate in S.W.A.T. Season 8

Nichelle became an important character on S.W.A.T. following her introduction in season 3, where she became a police performance auditor with the Office of the Inspector General and married Daniel 'Hondo' Harrelson.

She was first introduced as a love interest for Hondo, and the couple started their family in season 5 after it was shown that Nichelle was pregnant with Hondo's first child. The couple welcomed their first baby daughter in season 6 and named her Vivienne.

Deadline earlier reported that Aytes has joined CBS' Watson, which might conflict with her appearance in S.W.A.T. However, it has been confirmed through a TVLine report that the actress will not be part of season 8.

While the writers do not plan to kill off her character or send her abroad, she will not appear in the show but will continue to be in the background as Hondo's wife in season 8.

According to showrunner Andrew Dettman (via TVLine), Nichelle will continue to be “the woman Hondo goes home to every day,” but she will not appear in season 8. If fans expect to see heartwarming moments between Nichelle and Hondo, they might not get any in season 8.

What will become of Aytes' character if the show is renewed for another season remains to be seen.

Rochelle Aytes joined CBS' Watson

Craig Sweeny adapted the character of Dr. John Watson from Sir Arthur Conan Doyle's Sherlock Holmes for a new CBS show, Watson, which premiered on January 26, 2025.

Led by Morris Chestnut, Aytes also joined the cast as Mary Morstan, John's ex-wife, which led to scheduling conflicts with S.W.A.T. Her character is a noted East Coast surgeon and will join her ex-husband's clinic as medical director.

Even after their divorce, Mary continues to be a positive influence on John and often becomes the voice of reason for him. Assuming Aytes' character has such an important relationship to the show's main character, it makes sense that Aytes chose this CBS show over S.W.A.T.

However, fans loved her chemistry with Shemar Moore, and only time will tell whether she will return in full capacity in the show's upcoming season if it gets renewed.

Until then, fans can catch her as Mary on Watson, which will release new episodes weekly every Sunday on CBS.