Why did they remove Clay Spenser from SEAL Team? Reason explored

After offering a gripping narrative, focusing on high-stakes missions and personal lives, the CBS-turned-Paramount+ military drama SEAL Team finally concluded this year. In 2017, fans were first introduced to the members of the Bravo team and other key characters— Jason Hayes (David Boreanaz), Clay Spenser (Max Thieriot), Ray Perry (Neil Brown Jr.), and Mandy Ellis (Jessica Paré).

The Navy SEALs often handled dangerous missions with minimal preparation time. Together, they faced numerous challenges highlighting their camaraderie, loyalty, and struggles. The series also sheds light on their personal lives, showcasing how they manage to handle the pressure.

Since its first season, SEAL Team became a popular show, with Max Thieriot’s Clay Spenser emerging as a fan-favorite character. He served as a young second-generation Navy SEAL in the Bravo Team, and gradually matured over the seasons.

However, his unexpected departure in Season 6 was a major shocker to fans, as they never wished to bid farewell to the character until the show's end. The writers didn't initially plan to write off Clay Spencer, but Thieriot’s commitment with another CBS show Fire Country led to his exit from SEAL Team.

Continue reading to dive deep into Clay Spencer's character arc in the military drama.

Why Max Thieriot’s Clay Spencer was written off from SEAL Team?

Despite being a popular character in SEAL Team, Max Thieriot’s Clay Spencer was removed from the show due to the actor's involvement in Fire Country. The new series required him for all 22 episodes, compared to the 12-episode run of the military drama.

Following Thieriot’s tight schedule and difficulty in balancing two shows at a time, his exit was subtly foreshadowed in Season 5 when Clay Spencer expressed a desire to leave the Navy SEALs and prioritize his family life. However, his story took a dark turn in Season 6 Episode 8 "Aces and Eights" in which Clay was determined to save a man named Ben.

He was trying to take his own life, but Clay convinced him not to commit suicide and took away Ben's gun. It looked like Clay perfectly handled the situation until a security guard shone a flashlight on them, and saw Clay holding a gun and Ben with a tense look.

Assuming that he might be a threat, the guard shot him twice resulting in Clay Spencer's immediate death. This episode is considered one of the sad moments of SEAL Team as fans had to unwillingly bid farewell to a beloved character.

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How Clay Spencer's absence was handled in the SEAL Team?

A new character was introduced in the military drama (Image Source: Paramount+)

It was quite obvious that Clay Spencer's death would lead to a gap in its tactical operations, and to handle this situation, Raffi Barsoumian stepped into the role of a new character Omar Hamza in SEAL Team Season 6. Omar is described as a highly skilled Navy SEAL with almost 15 years of experience.

Being a son of Syrian immigrants, Omar's background helped the team to carry out missions in diverse and often challenging environments. Though Omar didn't serve as a direct replacement for Clay Spencer, he brought in fresh skills and a new perspective that the team desperately needed.

Since the team was still reeling from the loss of Clay, it was challenging for Omar to gain their trust. He gradually proved his abilities and determination and adapted to the new environment.

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Did Clay Spencer appear in the SEAL Team finale?

Clay Spencer was a key figure (Image Source: Paramount+)

No, Max Thieriot's Clay Spencer never returned to SEAL Team after his exit in Season 6 despite showrunner and executive producer Spencer Hednut's initial plan to feature him through a flashback scene. As explained in an interview with TVinsider, Hednut abandoned the idea of the actor's cameo due to various challenges.

He also mentioned that despite Clay's absence in the finale, his story served as a driving force. His death had a significant influence on characters like Sonny Quinn (A.J. Buckley) and Ray Perry (Neil Brown Jr.) as they were not just teammates but close pals.