Authentic S.W.A.T. solid 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 just a few weeks in the past, when Officer Christine “Chris” Alonso advised colleague and finest buddy Jim Road that she had determined to depart S.W.A.T. to take over for Mama Pina, the girl who runs an area secure home for immigrant girls fleeing dangerous conditions and is now hospitalized.
“I really like the Mama Pina storyline,” Esco advised TVLine in March. “It resonates with Chris as a result of it is a girl offering a secure home to girls 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 night time’s season finale, Chris — after spending the night time for the primary time with Road — labored her final day on S.W.A.T., giving Deacon, Luca et al significant items alongside the way in which.
In an announcement, Esco — who this spring made her S.W.A.T. directing debut — stated, “Bringing to life a powerful, sensible, bisexual character like Chris Alonso has been each a pleasure and a strong alternative to extend visibility for various girls 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 stated, this is among the most troublesome choices I’ve needed to make,” she shared. “I’m ceaselessly grateful to my S.W.A.T. household – my fellow solid, writers, and producers – for an unbelievable journey. To the wonderful S.W.A.T. followers, you’re the coronary heart of the present. I can’t thanks sufficient on your assist and for strolling beside me by 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 carry Chris Alonso to life on S.W.A.T. When Lina got here to us a yr in the past to precise her want to finally pursue different endeavors, all of us labored exhausting to offer Chris a correct, season-long sendoff, understanding 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 exhausting to exchange. We’ll miss Chris, however we’ll particularly miss Lina, as we want her the very best of luck with all the things 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 night time leadoff spot, the place it is going to be adopted by the brand new drama Fireplace Nation after which trusty Blue Bloods.
