SEAL Team's showrunner, Spencer Hudnut, is revealing how season 7 will be affected by Clay's death. The military drama series premiered on CBS back in 2017, where it aired for four seasons before moving to Paramount+. It follows Bravo Team, part of the elite United States Naval Special Warfare Development Group, as they plan and train to carry out dangerous missions while handling the pressure associated with their unit. Max Thieriot starred as Clay Spencer, a second-generation Navy SEAL who became a part of Bravo early on in the series. An important character to the show and a favorite among audiences, many were shocked to find out he died in season 6 and now, fans are wondering how his absence will impact SEAL Team moving forward.
In a recent interview with TV Insider, Hudnut discussed the plans following SEAL Team season 6 and what it was like saying goodbye to Thieriot's character. The showrunner revealed that he is still mapping out season 7, but stated that while there will always be difficulties, "we want to show hope." He shared how tough he felt this season was for viewers and added that he would like to see the show's other characters in "better places." Read Hudnut's quote regarding 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 was a dark cloud over the season in a lot of ways. Obviously, there’s always gonna be adversities, there’s always gonna be traumas. This is a show about war and its impact on the men and women who fight it and their families. But I think moving forward, we want to show hope. These guys have gone through so much. We want to highlight their victories. This was a very hard season, not just from a production standpoint but on the audience. And my hope is that maybe a Season 7 could be a little lighter, have a little more hope, and see our characters continue to work towards getting themselves into better places. "
Everything We Know About SEAL Team Season 7
Clay Spenser died in season 6, episode 8, titled "Aces and Eights," after finding Ben attempting to potentially harm himself and destroy an Air Force recruitment building. When Clay talked him down and grabbed a hold of his rifle, he ended up getting shot by a guard who misinterpreted the situation. Fans of SEAL Team and Thieriot's character were saddened by his unexpected departure, but Hudnut explained that Clay will always be a part of the series. Adding to that, many may be curious to see if Thieriot returns in some capacity, and the showrunner noted that it could be possible. Perhaps the biggest question following Clay's death and its effect on season 7 has to do with his wife, Stella (Alona Tal), and son, Brian, and how they will continue to be a part of the series moving forward.
In the season 6 finale, audiences saw last saw Jason (David Boreanaz), while getting a Navy Cross, reveal his brain injury to others and comment on his attempts to conceal it, resulting in him getting reprimanded. By the end, other Navy SEALs came to Jason's aid and shared their own struggles with various afflictions. Though there has been no news concerning the future of SEAL Team, Hudnut's ideas for a more hopeful season 7 would likely be welcomed by audiences. The drama surrounding Jason and the issue of untreated brain injuries, PTSD, and more are all areas the series can continue to explore with new episodes as well.
It will be interesting to see how Stella is incorporated into season 7, should the show get renewed, and if she will be cared for by other Navy SEALs or their families. Losing Clay was certainly a surprise to audiences, but with Thieriot currently starring in CBS' Fire Country, a series he also co-created, his exit might have been impending anyway. SEAL Team's ratings may be decreasing, but the military drama has a strong and loyal fanbase that is eager to find out what happens next, and just like Paramount+'s Evil, the vocal support to continue is present. Those hoping to see more of Bravo Team can look forward to updates surrounding SEAL Team as they come.
