Paramount+’s military drama SEAL Team officially ended on October 6 after seven seasons, and it was as emotional as ever. The show wrapped up stories and took several Bravos in different and unexpected directions. Overall, though, without giving away any spoilers, it was definitely a great way to end the show. While the final season of SEAL Team was great, I can’t help but hope that Max Thieriot miraculously finds his way back, but I understand why that didn’t happen.
After playing Clay Spenser for the first six seasons, Max Thieriot left the show in the middle of season 6 due to his obligations to Fire Country, which he both starred in and co-created. Ultimately, SEAL Team killed Clay off, but I was hoping he would return in a flashback or dream sequence in the final episodes. However, executive producer Spencer Hudnut told TV Insider why that wasn’t even an option, explaining:
Fire Country has only gotten more popular since it debuted in 2022, and with Thieriot starring in the show and serving as executive producer, his hands were tied. So I understand the SEAL Team EP’s goal. At the very least, it would have been nice for him to finish Clay’s story before he officially left a few years ago.
It’s hard to work on two shows at once, especially when they’re both pretty difficult. Not to mention the fact that Fire Country is becoming a franchise, with a spinoff in the works starring Morena Baccarin and another possibly in the works starring Jared Padalecki. So, honestly, I can’t blame Hudnut for not even wanting to try and include Thieriot in the final season.
Even though Thieriot can’t return after leaving, Clay is still a part of the story. Bravo is still grieving, especially Buckley’s A.J. Sonny, who promised to take care of his family. Alona Tal, who plays Clay’s wife Stella, also pops up occasionally after Clay’s death and helps bring peace to both Jason and Sonny, especially in this final season. On that point, Hudnut said: Clay exists. Clay will definitely haunt the season. I mean, he obviously inspired Sonny [A.J. Buckley] in a lot of ways, and he haunts Ray on a number of levels. And I think we honor Clay in the finale through Stella [Alona Tal] and through Sonny’s actions. I think even in death, Clay really helped Sonny become the best version of himself. And so, for me, that was enough.
Even though Thieriot didn’t return to the show, there were still plenty of ways they could have included his character. So that’s exactly what they did, and I enjoyed watching.
Even though he didn’t appear in the final season of SEAL Team, fans will still see Thieriot in the upcoming third season of Fire Country. The CBS firefighter drama returns on Friday, October 18 at 9 p.m. ET as part of the 2024 TV schedule, and between a helicopter crash, Bode and Gabriela’s complicated relationship, and a new ex-convict joining the cast, there’s a lot to look forward to.
