‘SEAL Team’ Season 8? Showrunner Reveals Original Ending If Season 7 Wasn’t the Series Finale
After seven intense and action-packed seasons, SEAL Team came to a close on Paramount+, leaving fans with a bittersweet farewell to Bravo Team. For years, viewers followed the heroic and often heartbreaking journeys of the men and women of Bravo Team, particularly Jason Hayes (David Boreanaz), Ray Perry (Neil Brown Jr.), and the rest of the elite Navy SEAL unit. But just when fans thought they would get more, Season 7 ended up being the final season of the series.
However, there was once hope that SEAL Team would continue for another season. Showrunner Spencer Hudnut recently revealed some intriguing details about the show’s original plans for Season 8 and how the finale of Season 7 would have unfolded differently if the series had not been canceled.
In this article, we will take a deep dive into the showrunner’s reveal, exploring the original ending for Season 8, what the planned plotlines were, and how Bravo Team’s journey would have continued if the show had not wrapped up prematurely. Let’s explore what could have been in a hypothetical Season 8 of SEAL Team.
The End of SEAL Team: A Shocking Season 7 Finale
1. SEAL Team’s Unexpected Farewell
SEAL Team’s ending in Season 7 came as a shock to many fans who expected the series to continue. After all, with its high ratings, intense action, and dedicated fanbase, it seemed almost impossible that the show would suddenly stop. But in a surprising turn, the show was officially announced as ending after Season 7, marking the conclusion of the saga of Bravo Team’s missions, struggles, and personal triumphs.
The finale of Season 7 served as an emotional closure for key characters like Jason Hayes and Ray Perry. Jason made a monumental decision to retire, while Ray followed suit, choosing to step away from the life of a Navy SEAL. The show provided a sense of finality for the characters, giving them the chance to heal from the toll that years of combat had taken on them. However, there were still unanswered questions about the team’s future, as well as lingering plotlines that fans hoped would be resolved.
2. The Original Plans for SEAL Team Season 8
When Spencer Hudnut, the showrunner of SEAL Team, spoke about the show’s ending, he revealed that Season 7 was not necessarily intended to be the final chapter of the series. In fact, there were plans for Season 8 that would have continued the storyline and explored several unresolved elements. According to Hudnut, the original plans for Season 8 would have provided fans with a more definitive look into the future of Bravo Team, as well as personal developments for key characters like Jason, Ray, and Clay.
One of the biggest revelations about the scrapped Season 8 was that the show was initially supposed to address several pivotal questions that had been left hanging by the end of Season 7. This included exploring the personal journeys of Bravo Team members who had yet to make major life decisions. In addition, Hudnut shared that some of the unresolved storylines from Season 7’s finale—such as the fate of Bravo Team without Jason Hayes leading them—would have been addressed in more depth.
What Would Have Happened in SEAL Team Season 8?
3. Bravo Team’s Future Without Jason Hayes
One of the most significant changes in the SEAL Team Season 7 finale was the retirement of Jason Hayes, the seasoned leader of Bravo Team. Jason had been the heart of the series, and his decision to retire after facing numerous physical and emotional challenges was a pivotal moment. While the show gave Jason the opportunity to step away from active duty, Season 8 would have explored what happened to Bravo Team without him.
In Season 8, Hudnut had envisioned a transition where Clay Spenser (Max Thieriot) would have stepped up as the new leader of Bravo Team, taking on the role Jason had once filled. This would have been a huge turning point for Clay, who had struggled with the idea of leadership in previous seasons. Clay’s character arc would have been further explored as he grappled with the heavy responsibility of leading the team into increasingly dangerous situations.
Moreover, the dynamics within the team would have been tested. The question of whether Bravo Team could thrive without its most experienced leader would have created an intriguing narrative. Hudnut envisioned a storyline where Bravo Team’s strength and unity were put to the test, requiring them to bond even more as they faced the unknown challenges ahead.
4. Ray Perry’s Journey: Retirement or Continuation?
Another major character development in Season 7 was Ray Perry’s decision to retire. Throughout the series, Ray had been a reliable and emotionally grounded member of Bravo Team, and his eventual departure from active duty was both a personal and professional crossroads. However, in the original Season 8 plans, Ray’s story was far from over.
Hudnut had intended to delve deeper into Ray’s internal struggle in Season 8—whether he could truly leave behind the life of a SEAL and find peace outside of the military. Ray’s transition to civilian life would have been explored in greater detail, including his attempts to balance his relationship with his wife Naima and their daughter, while also adjusting to a quieter, less dangerous life.
The season would have also explored the potential for Ray to return to the field. Although he had retired, Hudnut envisioned a storyline where Ray would face the temptation of returning to his former life when a major mission or crisis arose, challenging his decision to walk away from the military.
5. Jason’s Emotional Farewell and Transition
While Jason’s retirement was handled in Season 7, Season 8 would have expanded on the emotional and psychological effects of his decision to leave behind his SEAL career. Hudnut mentioned that the show would have delved deeper into the toll Jason’s decision would have taken on his relationships, particularly with his family and his former teammates.
Although Jason had officially stepped away from active duty, the narrative would have touched on the idea of Jason’s return to the field, either in a more advisory role or in an unexpected way. Fans would have seen how Jason came to terms with his legacy and whether he could truly let go of the life that defined him for so long. Would Jason find peace in his new life, or would the pull of the battlefield draw him back into the chaos?
The personal growth of Jason Hayes would have been a central theme in Season 8, with a focus on his relationships and whether he could reinvent himself outside of his SEAL identity.
The Broader Storylines of SEAL Team Season 8
6. New Faces and New Missions for Bravo Team
With Jason and Ray’s potential departures, Bravo Team would have had to adapt to new leadership and dynamics. In addition to the transitions within the team, Season 8 would have introduced new members to Bravo Team, challenging the existing team’s cohesion and unity.
New recruits would have been introduced, forcing the veterans of Bravo Team to mentor the newcomers while also adjusting to their own evolving roles. These new characters would have brought fresh challenges, but they would have also served as a way to continue the show’s core theme of brotherhood and teamwork.
The high-stakes nature of Bravo Team’s operations would have remained a focal point, with the team facing dangerous missions in various global hotspots. However, there would have been a larger focus on the emotional and psychological toll of combat, particularly as the characters dealt with the fallout of their past actions, their trauma, and the future of their careers.
7. Could SEAL Team Season 8 Have Been More of a Reboot?
Given the changes in Bravo Team’s leadership and the evolving dynamics among the team members, some fans have wondered whether Season 8 would have served as more of a reboot or a transition to new storylines and new characters. Hudnut suggested that the planned direction of the show could have marked a new chapter for SEAL Team with the introduction of new conflicts and fresh narratives.
The overarching storyline for Season 8 could have been a balancing act between continuity and transformation—honoring the past while pushing the franchise into new territory. In many ways, Season 8 could have been the show’s chance to introduce a new generation of SEALs, explore new settings
