Max Thieriot has often described his role as Clay Spenser in SEAL Team as one of the most meaningful and demanding performances of his career. As the youngest member of Bravo Team, Clay represented a new generation of Navy SEALs—driven, idealistic, and still learning the true cost of service.
According to Thieriot, what drew him to the role was the opportunity to show more than just combat missions. Clay’s journey explored the emotional and psychological challenges faced by young operators, including loyalty, sacrifice, and the struggle to balance personal identity with military duty. “Clay wasn’t just a warrior,” Thieriot explained in past interviews. “He was someone trying to figure out who he was while living in an incredibly intense world.”
Authenticity was a top priority for Thieriot. He worked closely with military advisors and former SEALs to ensure that the portrayal felt honest—from physical movement and tactical training to the quiet moments that revealed the character’s vulnerability. Thieriot has said that respecting real-life service members was essential to his performance, calling the experience both humbling and educational.
Physically, the role pushed him to his limits. Thieriot committed to intense training to meet the demanding standards of a Navy SEAL, believing that the physical preparation helped him better understand the discipline and mindset required of his character.
Reflecting on his time on SEAL Team, Thieriot has expressed deep gratitude for the cast, crew, and military community connected to the series. He has described Clay Spenser as a role that shaped him not only as an actor, but as a person—one that he will always carry with pride.
