SEAL Team: How Did Clay Die? Why Did Max Thieriot Leave?

Season 7 of SEAL Team is here and the final chapter focuses on Jason Hayes and Bravo Team Company entering unfamiliar territory. Now, they have to understand the new era of warfare as they fight new opponents. While Season 7 is causing a lot of discussion, viewers are still reeling from the loss of Clay Spenser, played by Max Thieriot, in the previous season. So, how did Clay die in SEAL Team and will Thieriot return to the show?

Here’s everything you need to know about Clay Spenser’s backstory and his possible return in the seventh and final season of SEAL Team.

When and how did Clay Spenser, played by Max Thieriot, die in SEAL Team?

Played by Max Thieriot, Clay Spenser was shot and killed in Season 6 Episode 8 while rescuing a veteran.

In his final moments, Clay is seen helping a veteran named Ben. He tries to stop the latter from committing suicide and destroying a recruiting center. Although Clay saves Ben, a security guard spots him holding a gun and shoots him in the chest. His death is all the more tragic, as he wanted to spend time with his family after retiring from the service.

However, the absence of actor Max Thieriot was another reason why his character was killed off. He was also filming another show, Fire Country, where he was also an executive producer and co-creator. In an interview with Collider, Thieriot revealed that it was hard to imagine working on the new show because he was so involved with SEAL Team. Additionally, Spencer Hudnut, the showrunner of SEAL Team, spoke to TV Line about Clay Spenser being written out of season six.

“There was some question about whether Max would be back for Season 6, so the cliffhanger ending of Season 5 [in Mali] was a little bit dominated by that,” Hudnut said. “And as Fire Country kept passing each development check, it became more and more clear that there was a real possibility that we would lose Max at some point… People were talking about him possibly doing both shows, but it was very clear that wasn’t the case.”

Additionally, SEAL TEAM and Fire Country have different filming locations. So it makes sense that the producers chose to end Max Thieriot’s character’s storyline in Season 6.

Will Max Thieriot return as Clay Spenser in SEAL Team Season 7?

No, Max Thieriot will not return in SEAL Team Season 7 as his character died in the previous season.

Although there were rumors of Thieriot’s return, his casting was never officially confirmed. Furthermore, through Clay’s journey, the producers wanted to highlight the sacrifices of military officers. Meanwhile, Season 7 will see the character of Omar Hamza played by Raffi Barsoumian, a foxtrot convert, replacing Clay’s character.

After Clay’s death, SEAL Team will open a new journey of military officers in the final season. The main cast includes J. Buckley, David Boreanaz, Dylan Wash, Neil Brown Jr. and Beau Knapp.

Viewers can watch new episodes of SEAL Team Season 7 on Paramount Plus every Sunday.