Emma Hayes is preparing for a wedding — unless, that is, the events of the SEAL Team series finale (premiering Sunday on Paramount+) cast the darkest clouds over her and Brad’s upcoming big day.
Kerri Medders has played Jason Hayes, aka the eldest child in the Bravo 1 family, since Season 1 of the CBS-turned-Paramount+ military drama, popping up occasionally in recent years (as well as Emma’s younger brother Mikey). In the season premiere of this farewell season, we saw Jason (played by David Boreanaz) hanging out with Emma, her fiancé Brad, and Mikey in California, but Emma reappeared in Vah Beach for Sunday’s “emotional” swan song.
TVLine caught up with Medders to look back at Emma’s rapid growth after her mother’s tragic death in Season 2, glean lessons from her hard-working TV dad, and tease the series’ finale.
TVLINE | I’ve enjoyed your work over the years. I feel like from Day 1, you and David had this natural father/daughter relationship that always enhanced the storyline.
Yeah. It’s a very real relationship. Like, as soon as I met him, we clicked. It’s always great to have one-on-one scenes with him.
TVLINE | I just looked at your CBS press photos, and it looks like in 33% of them, Jason is giving Emma a big hug.
It’s always the hug that’s used on social media! Or the ones that people edit. It’s always our big hug. It’s so funny.
TVLINE | What was your reaction when you heard this was going to be the last season?
It was tough, because it was such a great time being on this show. Also, it’s been seven years, and I feel like I’ve grown up with the show and I never expected it to end. So, I was a little shocked.
TVLINE | Before you opened the final script, did you know what it was going to entail, what was going to happen?
Absolutely. I felt like I knew from the very first episode what was going to happen. Nobody knows for sure, but I feel like I had an intuition….
TVLINE | This season got off to a really sweet start with that first episode — the Hayes family going on a trip to California with good old Brad….
Good old Brad…..
TVLINE | …and by the middle of the season, we had some dramatic scenes with Mikey and his accidental overdose. How will Sunday’s series finale feel?
Honestly, it’s going to be emotional. In a way, it’s a closing chapter, but I think it closes the show with a goodbye.
TVLINE | Did anyone cry on set?
Oh yeah. From me. When we finished shooting the last scene and had a little party afterwards, I cried because it felt so final and so wonderful. I had this amazing experience, but I didn’t want to let it go right now. I didn’t want to let Emma go.
TVLINE | I’m pretty sure in one of TVLine’s Year in Review packages, Emma was called “The Kid You’d Be Proud to Call Your Own.” Because she’s such a great kid. She’s grown so much since the death of her mom Alana (Michaela McManus).
I remember when I read that [Season 2] script because I didn’t know that was going to happen. I was like, “Oh, okay,” and I had to grow up really fast. I had to make sure I took care of [my dad].
TVLINE | David has been working for almost 27 years. What have you learned from him over the years?
He works so effortlessly. He can lock in really quickly and the way he does it is very interesting. I always take inspiration from him in our scenes because I feel the energy he gives me and try to give back. I learned a lot and I feel like I can take those skills and bring them into my next project.
TVLINE | Is he open to changes if you tend to change things up to make a scene?
I followed him because he’s always improvising. I always have to be on my toes. In a lot of our scenes, there’s a lot of improv and every scene is something different. That’s something I was really taught a lot on set, is to always expect the unexpected. When I’m rehearsing lines, I’ll be like, “I don’t know what’s going to happen, but let’s go with it.” Just be in that environment and be present and embrace the story.
TVLINE | What will you miss most about Emma?
Her strength. She’s very strong in a lot of ways and very opinionated, but she just wants the best for her family. And I love the energy that Emma brings to me.
TVLINE | Are you and Jessica Paré (Mandy) close?
Yes! She’s so lovely and funny at the same time. She’s who she is.
TVLINE | Finally, would you describe the Hayes family as aspirational?
I think so. I think there’s a lot of reflection that I feel people watching can see, and hopefully it translates a lot to people — especially in SEALs and like that. A lot of people will come up to me and be like, “Wow. that’s the SEAL family life and the storytelling is so true to me,” and I feel like every time someone says that I feel so honorable that we’re able to execute that.
