Authentic S.W.A.T. forged member Lina Esco is exiting the CBS drama after 5 seasons, in what she says was “one of the vital troublesome choices I’ve needed to make.”
Esco’s exit storyline took form a number of weeks in the past, when Officer Christine “Chris” Alonso instructed colleague and finest pal Jim Avenue that she had determined to go away S.W.A.T. to take over for Mama Pina, the lady who runs a neighborhood protected home for immigrant ladies fleeing dangerous conditions and is now hospitalized.
“I like the Mama Pina storyline,” Esco instructed TVLine in March. “It resonates with Chris as a result of it is a lady offering a protected home to ladies who don’t have any hope in different nations and who escape for a greater life. Chris has turn into very invested in volunteering and being part of that.”
And in Sunday evening’s season finale, Chris — after spending the evening for the primary time with Avenue — labored her final day on S.W.A.T., giving Deacon, Luca et al significant items alongside the best way.
In an announcement, Esco — who this spring made her S.W.A.T. directing debut — mentioned, “Bringing to life a robust, good, bisexual character like Chris Alonso has been each a pleasure and a strong alternative to extend visibility for numerous ladies all over the place. 5 years later, I’m leaving S.W.A.T. to pursue new inventive endeavors. Chris by no means backs down from the unknown and as an actor and director, I’m excited to step out of my consolation zone and embark on a brand new chapter, too.
“That mentioned, this is likely one of the most troublesome choices I’ve needed to make,” she shared. “I’m eternally grateful to my S.W.A.T. household – my fellow forged, writers, and producers – for an unbelievable journey. To the superb S.W.A.T. followers, you’re the coronary heart of the present. I can’t thanks sufficient in your assist and for strolling beside me by means of all of Chris’ journey!”
The S.W.A.T. showrunners in flip issued an announcement saying, “For 5 seasons and 106 episodes, we’ve had the pleasure to look at Lina Esco convey Chris Alonso to life on S.W.A.T. When Lina got here to us a yr in the past to specific her want to ultimately pursue different endeavors, all of us labored onerous to present Chris a correct, season-long sendoff, realizing what an vital, iconic character she’s been to our viewers. Lina rewarded us this season with thrilling performances in addition to a terrific job directing an episode.
“What Lina dropped at the present, and what Chris represented to our viewers, are onerous to exchange. We’ll miss Chris, however we’ll particularly miss Lina, as we want her the perfect of luck with all the pieces she chooses to do subsequent.”
S.W.A.T. was renewed for a sixth season in early April, and this fall it should return to its Friday evening leadoff spot, the place will probably be adopted by the brand new drama Hearth Nation after which trusty Blue Bloods.