After eight seasons on CBS, the crime action drama S.W.A.T. has been canceled by the network once again. Fans of the show may be used to bad news like this. After all, this is the third time the show has been announced as being in its “final” season, but that doesn’t make the news any less disappointing. There are still a few more episodes for fans to say goodbye (maybe?), and while the show is off the air, Paramount+’s military drama SEAL Team could help ease that parting pain.
Starring David Boreanaz, SEAL Team follows a group of elite US Navy SEALs as they travel the world and carry out a series of dangerous missions. Following their professional strategies and personal sacrifices, the series is a combination of procedural action and military drama that S.W.A.T. fans should enjoy. Seal Team is a thrilling and complex adrenaline rush. Set in the world of elite soldiers, the series finds a second life on a streaming service that could be just what S.W.A.T. fans need.
‘SEAL Team’ is an exciting and relevant military drama
SEAL Team has an 85% positive audience score on review aggregator site Rotten Tomatoes. Fans have called the series “stunning,” “one of the best ever,” and “a must-see” thanks to its incredible action and great cast. With characters that struggle and develop, viewers find the series to be very realistic and an important look at military life. While some have noted that the script can be a bit repetitive, fans have pointed out that the show represents a different kind of drama than what is typically seen on TV. Viewers find the series to be notable for the action and excitement of its intense combat scenes, as well as its more intimate and nuanced look at the personal and mental struggles of active duty military personnel.
Boreanaz (Bones, Buffy the Vampire Slayer) plays Special Forces Commander Jason Hayes. As in all of the actor’s previous work, he brings his personality to the role of a combative but dedicated soldier. A natural-born leader who is respected by many, Boreanaz’s Hayes is a compelling protagonist. The character was inspired by Mark Owen, a real-life SEAL who was involved in the search for Osama bin Laden. Owen, whose real name is Matt Bissonnette, also serves as a writer and Executive Producer, and drew on some of his own real-life experiences to shape the character.
‘Seal Team’ Finds Second Life on Paramount+ Streaming Service
SEAL Team premiered in 2017 on CBS, airing for four seasons on the channel before moving to Paramount+ for its fifth season. While Seal Team received positive reviews from viewers, its five seasons on CBS saw a steady and steep decline in viewership season-by-season. When the series premiered, SEAL Team averaged nearly 10 million viewers. By season five, the series had lost an average of 4 million viewers and was moved to Paramount+. While fans were disappointed with the move (some expressed displeasure at having to sign up for a streaming subscription to watch a show they were already familiar with), when SEAL Team debuted on Paramount+, it was the most-watched series on the streaming service.
Fans who followed Seal Team to Paramount+ noted that the show’s move allowed the series to be less constrained in its dialogue and more creative in its writing. Viewers found that the rough change, with the addition of network-unapproved language (a lot of profanity), made the entire series feel more realistic. However, this can only be a benefit.
Since its debut, fans have enjoyed the series’ dedication to the complexities of military life. For its part, the show has recruited veterans to bring their real-life experiences to the table. With former Navy SEALs in the writers’ room and a nearly all-veteran crew, SEAL Team has made a big push for the military community, resulting in a more complex on-screen experience.
