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The following contains major spoilers from the April 5 episode of CBS‘ S.W.A.T.
CBS’ S.W.A.T. team bid adieu to original cast member Kenny Johnson‘s Office Dominique Luca this Friday night, though not in the way that network promos had you fearing.
Johnson’s farewell episode revealed pretty early on that Luca had in fact survived the multiple gunshot wounds he sustained at the end of last week’s episode. But following a multi-week time jump, Luca got a gut-punch of a phone call, from a doctor saying that his MRI had revealed irreversible nerve damage, caused by the bullet to his shoulder.
As such, Luca is no longer fit for S.W.A.T. duty. And rather than ride a desk, he opted to retire — in grand fashion, at a formal ceremony attended by all outside of HQ.
TVLine spoke with Johnson about Luca’s sendoff and the emotions it drummed up for the actor himself.
TVLINE | Did you see the promo they were running for your final episode? It really put fans through the wringer!
Yeah, because everyone thinks I’m dead. [Laughs] Even when I went to go in for looping, they only showed up to the point to where I got shot. I’m like, “It doesn’t look like there’s any way that I’m going to survive that.” Everyone’s kind of freaking out, like, “Oh my God, you’re dead! It’s going to be a funeral episode!”
TVLINE | Who took the news worse, Luca or you?
I think Luca did. In life I always think that everything’s meant to be and it’s for a reason; I’m very supportive of how the universe works. But Luca, dude…. He’s born and bred to do what he does, and to take the only thing away from him that is everything in his blood and his fiber…. [Voice starts to crack] It gets me emotional right now. It’s just so hard to get that taken away.
TVLINE | Did going through all of that with him, over six-plus seasons, help get you where you needed to be in that scene with Shemar [Moore] on the beach? Because that was quite emotional.
In that scene with Shemar I was trying to process the unknown, you know, because this [SWAT job] is what [Luca] was put on Earth to do, so he feels naked and lost. Now, everyone could say, “Oh, but you can go do this, you can go do that,” but when every breath of your being is that and then it’s no more, yeah, it definitely played on me and Shemar a lot. And I’ve known Shemar…. I met him way, way back in the day when we both were getting into acting — before I even took acting classes, or right when I was starting.
TVLINE | Oh, wow.
Yeah, I think it was at a party at Paramount. We had a mutual friend, [now-veteran voice actress] Cree Summer, who was doing a popular series at the time. I hooked up with [Shemar] as friends and we hung out for, like, a long time. I then saw him years later at a boxing gym that I had trained at for 10 years — he’d come in but I was always on the other side of the gym, so we never talked, but I was like, “That’s that guy!” I felt like we were like soul mates back then, or brothers in some way.
Everything was wide-eyed and fresh — it was the beginning of everything, you know. It’s the most exciting thing when you have nothing, but anything is possible. And then to circle around, all these years later, to where we’re on the same show together…. I think all that played into that scene.
TVLINE | Some fans were grumbling, “Why couldn’t Street be around for Luca’s send-off?” But it’s nice to know that your and Shemar’s history added a nice richness to that scene.
A hundred percent, a hundred percent.
TVLINE | What was it like, at the end of the episode, standing up on that stage in front of everybody in their dress blues, saluting you?
Oh God, man… Whew… [Chokes up] Just looking out at, like, Jay [Harrington] and Tan (played by David Lim), and Anna [Enger Ritch] and Odie (Otis Gallop as Sgt. Stevens)…. The look that they had, because they know what this means…. We’ve all been so close to each other for all this time, so every single time I eyed them it was tough because it’s Luca leaving, but for me I’m losing these friends that I’ve bonded with for six years, every single day. There’s a parallel there, obviously, but you know when it’s a human experience and it’s very real, I could see that there was a struggle in there for those guys, and it hurt me. It was a goodbye, but an “I love you” to everybody. It was wild, yeah.
TVLINE | Where does Luca rank amongst, say, the Top 5 characters you’ve played on TV?
I would say, yeah, definitely Top 5. I always go back to The Shield, Lem is one of my favorites…. I really liked Kozik, I loved SOA (Sons of Anarchy)…. Caleb in Bates Motel was definitely really interesting and complex, kind of dark and really trippy. It was a great character to play, but it was a tough one to be in that skin…. And then I played this character Burner way back in my first series, Pensacola. Burner and Luca both had this bubbly, positive energy now that I think it.
I played college baseball and football, and I was an arm wrestler — one year I was World Champion, left- -and right-handed — so it’s in my blood to compete, and S.W.A.T. is the ultimate place to compete, with brotherhood and team play. I love the character and I think I more love the way people react to S.W.A.T. or to Luca, anywhere I go around the world. I travel a lot, and you would think that we’re part of the Beatles! When you go to London or to Milan, or you’re in Paris, I couldn’t go 20 feet without people running up and kind of screaming, taking pictures. It happened my whole last trip, where I was like, “This is really wild how much of an effect it has had people everywhere.” So Luca’s definitely up there, Top 3 for sure.
TVLINE | Plus, Luca has an edge in that you got to work with your daughter, Angelica (who played Kelly).
[S.W.A.T. executive producer] Shawn [Ryan] knew that I struggled with dyslexia majorly growing up and he wanted to do a storyline about a kid [with dyslexia]. He says, “OK, I’m writing this thing and I want Angelica to audition. She might be too young for it, but we’ll put her on tape, and I’m going to send in the tapes to Sony and CBS but I’m not going to tell them that she’s your daughter.” I’m like, “Yeah, don’t,” and they ended up choosing her. She was 8 years old then, and now she’s 14/almost 15, so that’s pretty crazy.
Want scoop on S.W.A.T., or for any other TV show? Email InsideLine@tvline.com, and your question may be answered via Matt’s Inside Line!
I wanted to know why Luca left SWAT
It’s in the story, “Luca got a gut-punch of a phone call, from a doctor saying that his MRI had revealed irreversible nerve damage, caused by the bullet to his shoulder. As such, Luca is no longer fit for S.W.A.T. duty”. If you are asking why Kenny Johnson & Alex Russell were not a regulars this season, it was because of budget cuts.
Lucas is my favourite character. His retiring ceremony was such a sad scene. Could you post Thursday ratings, please?
On holiday, sorry.
Kenny Johnson, I’m going to miss you and I’m going to miss street and I’m going to miss everyone from swat it’s my favorite show I love you all always and forever Adriana ❤️🥰🌹♥️
I’ve always wondered why Luca never had a romantic relationship?
Hi Kenny, I will miss Luca being part 20 squad. All the best in what you do next. Take care. Your fan Caroline Heaton.
I love the show, I miss all of the original cast. Luca warmed hearts. Create a new show with them all . Please do new show with them all.great show. You can watch this show with your kids, no lot of cursing..
I love the show but it not appropriate for kids.
I don’t want Luca to leave!!!
Don’t take this show off the air. It is a superior cast of blended family. It shows the good and evil of people. One of my absolute favorite shows ever.
The great dynamics of family friendships and work mesh together perfectly
I watched the show every Friday and loved the whole cast I was sorry to see Street go and now Lucas.
There should be a Swat 2.
I ❤️ you all.
Luca’s parts were good, his beach chat with Hondo and the ceremony were done well. But I don’t like any show having sleazy scenes at a strip club, and way too much dialogue about that trash later.
I am really going to miss not only Luca who is so amazing and even when he is at his lowest. He can cheer everyone else on. Im also going to miss SWAT. ONE OFTHE FEW GOOD SHOWS ON TV NOWADAYS. Good Luck Kenny. You are amazing and any network would be blessed to have you. God Speed
Didn’t Luca have a brother and a half sister – would have expected to see them at the hospital and the retirement ceremony
CBS and their budget cut, hence why Street wasn’t there.
Gonna miss Luca. Can’t wait to see what else your doing.
Luca, was one of my favorite character on the show. It was sad to see him leave. Love the final episode, I’m glad y’all didn’t kill him off. I think S.W.A.T., is a 5 star TV show. Missing Chris, Street and now Luca ;(
I want it to continue showing
I love it and all the cast one of my favorite movie
Hate that SWAT is gone. A lot of CBS shows are gone. Going to be a little less watching of CBS.BUT CNS doesn’t care about fans, that’s why they did nothing from getting top notch series off the market. Yep a lot less CBS.
I loved that show, they should take everyone and make a spin off. Make a show where they help folks. All over the U.S.
One of the best shows on tv
Luca will be missed as all the characters who have left are.
SWAT was never my must-see show but I love the characters and connections. In every episode I watched, you felt they had each other’s backs in real life as much as the characters did. Cheers for Shemar Moore and company. I did catch the Luca farewell. Tops!
I am so genuinely sad that SWAT is ending .I love the stories and emotion in this show ❤️
Bring Luca back
Bring Street back
Why ruin a good thing!!!!
Lucas’s farewell was really emotional for me. I hate this is SWAT’S final season and I cried immensely to see Luca go. I am going to miss this show as Friday night’s is like going to the movie theater for me. I love Kenny Johnson aka Luca! My Heart is Heavy..
I love SWAT, it is my favorite law enforcement show. I am very sad that Luca retired and is leaving SWAT. There is no mention as to why his character will no longer be on the show. Does he have another project? Can you PLEASE tell me what beach Luca and Hondo are sitting on? It was so soul stirring and beautiful. I haven’t been to a beach in over 20 years but I HAVE to go there now. How can I find out the location of that beach? I love you Luca/Kenny Johnson and will surely miss you.
SWAT should be continued, not cancelled.
I absolutely love this show and all the cast.. I was even bawling last night episode as watching this show since it started and i know its just a show but the reality and how much you guys made it be real and how you always helped the community and n Luca caring and how you all stepped up to help kids. Your impact has given my son such drive to now he is applying to become a cop and wants to be on swat in our home town so he can help kids and help the community. I really prayed and wished they would keep the show going as it makes a huge impact on alot of people and right now in this world we live it definitely the positive show you guys have. Good luck to you you all and one day any of you guys make it to Boise Idaho would love to meet and show you around our home town… Best Wishes from a long time fan Jackie