SEAL Team showrunner Spencer Hudnut is revealing how season 7 will be affected by Clay’s death. The military drama premiered on CBS in 2017, where it aired for four seasons before moving to Paramount+. It follows Bravo Team, part of the U.S. Navy’s Special Warfare Development Group, as they plan and train to carry out dangerous missions while dealing with the pressures associated with their unit. Max Thieriot plays Clay Spencer, a second-generation Navy SEAL who has been a part of Bravo since the beginning of the series. A key character on the show and a fan favorite, many were shocked to learn that he had died in season 6, and now fans are wondering how his absence will affect SEAL Team going forward.
In a recent interview with TV Insider, Hudnut discussed his plans for after SEAL Team season 6 and how it feels to say goodbye to the character of Thieriot. The showrunner revealed that he’s still planning for season 7, but stated that while there will always be hardships, “we want to show hope.” He shared how difficult this season has been for viewers, adding that he wants to see the show’s other characters in “better places.” Read Hudnut’s quote about SEAL Team season 7 and Clay’s death below: “We’re so early in the process. Because of the uncertainty around Max, we started the season with Clay losing his leg. Unfortunately, we killed Clay in the eighth episode. There’s a dark cloud hanging over the season in a lot of ways. Obviously there’s always going to be adversity, there’s always going to be trauma. This is a show about war and the impact it has on the men and women who fight and their families. I think moving forward, we want to show hope. These guys have been through a lot. We want to highlight their triumphs. This has been a very difficult season, not only from a production standpoint but for the audience, Season 7 can be a little lighter, have a little more hope, and see our characters continue to push themselves to better places.” Clay Spenser died in season 6, episode 8, titled “Aces and Eights,” after discovering Ben trying to harm himself and destroy an Air Force recruiting building. When Clay convinces him and grabs his rifle, he is shot by a guard who misinterprets the situation. Fans of SEAL Team and the Thieriot character were saddened by his sudden departure, but Hudnut explained that Clay will always be a part of the show. Plus, many may be curious to see if Thieriot returns in some capacity, and the showrunner has noted that it’s possible. Perhaps the biggest question left in the wake of Clay’s death and its impact on season 7 concerns his wife, Stella (Alona Tal), and son, Brian, and how they will continue to be a part of the show moving forward. In the season 6 finale, viewers last saw Jason (David Boreanaz), while receiving his Navy Cross, reveal his brain injury to others and comment on his attempts to hide it, which earned him a reprimand. By the end, other Navy SEALs came to Jason’s aid and shared their own struggles with various illnesses. While there’s no word yet on the future of SEAL Team, Hudnut’s idea of a more hopeful season 7 is likely to be welcomed by viewers. The drama surrounding Jason and the issue of untreated brain injury, PTSD, etc. are all areas the show could continue to explore with new episodes.
It will be interesting to see how Stella is brought into season 7, whether the show is renewed, and whether she’ll be cared for by other Navy SEALs or their families. The loss of Clay certainly came as a surprise to viewers, but with Thieriot currently starring in CBS’ Fire Country, a series he also co-created, his departure could have been imminent. SEAL Team’s ratings may be down, but the military drama has a strong and loyal fan base who are eager to see what happens next, and like Paramount+’s Evil, the fervent support for its continuation is still there. Those hoping to see more of Bravo Team can expect updates on SEAL Team as they come.
