Is Lina Esco Leaving 'SWAT'? All of the Clues

Lina Esco has played the role of officer Christina "Chris" Alonso on S.W.A.T. since 2017, becoming a central character and favorite among fans. In recent weeks, Chris has been at the center of fans' minds thanks to her long-awaited romance with her colleague, James Street (played by Alex Russell).

However, there could be some bad news on the horizon. Some S.W.A.T. viewers are convinced Esco's time on the show is coming to an end and therefore fans may have to say goodbye to her character.

Newsweek has everything you need to know about Esco's suspected departure from S.W.A.T.

Is Lina Esco Leaving SWAT? All of the Clues

At the moment, it's unclear if Lina Esco is leaving S.W.A.T. on CBS.

However, judging by the events of the most recent episode of the action drama, fans think there are several clues that her character Chris's story is coming to an end.

In Episode 20, Chris quit S.W.A.T., to take over the safe house. She told Street she had just two weeks left as part of the SWAT Team.

Additionally, if Chris was to take over the safe house, it would allow for her relationship with Street to potentially progress. On the one hand, it could grant her a perfect exit storyline and on the other, a reason to step back from the show but appear in a smaller capacity in future episodes.

When Chris broke the news to Street that she was leaving S.W.A.T., he immediately saw the opportunity for them to make their relationship work, but Chris was quick to shut it down...for now.

Esco and the team behind S.W.A.T. haven't yet addressed the speculation she is leaving the show for good.

Newsweek has contacted Esco's representatives and CBS for comment.

This isn't the first time fans have been concerned about the future of Chris on S.W.A.T.

Back in April 2021, fans feared Chris would be the next original character to leave the show, especially after she was shot at the end of Season 3. Then, in Season 4 her close colleague Erika (Lyndie Greenwood) was killed in the eighth episode. At the time, the arrival of medic Nora Fowler (Norma Kuhling) had fans worrying she would be replacing Chris. Thankfully, this turned out not to be the case.

Fans have just two weeks left to find out if Chris will really be leaving S.W.A.T., with the finale airing on Sunday, May 22.

The episode is titled "Farewell," which certainly does not sit well for fans and Chris's future.

One fan tweeted: "No one talk to me until a swat writer gives me a confirmation that lina esco is in fact in season 6" and a second fan wrote: "Everybody knows how chris' character is loved by fans!! So i don't think they'll get rid of her, they would be crazy. The only reason to say bye to chris could be lina esco's decision to leave the show, and in this case, we should respect her decision. No other options. #stris"

A third fan added: "Broken, but also WE CANT LOSE CHRIS PLZ."

If Esco does leave S.W.A.T., it's sure to be a big loss on and off the screen. Esco has directed several episodes and a quick scroll of her Instagram feed proves she is so proud of the show.

Some of her recent posts relating to S.W.A.T. on her page include behind-the-scenes snaps, frames from episodes she has directed, and snippets of the episode trailers.

At the end of March, she posted a touching tribute to the S.W.A.T. cast and crew, writing she was "so damn grateful" to be a part of the show and have the opportunity to direct.

She wrote: "It's hard to believe sometimes we shoot 46 pages in 8.5 days, some days we have 4 cameras rolling at all times in our action-packed days sometimes 5 and we still manage to have fun! @fkennyasc you are a master wizard DP. you made this journey so much more meaningful in my heart. I'm so damn grateful for the opportunity to step behind the camera and direct my fellow cast members and work with the best crew ever."

S.W.A.T. airs Sundays at 10 p.m. ET ON CBS.