Why won’t there be a SEAL Team Season 8? Explained

SEAL Team Season 8 is not likely to happen, with the US Navy SEAL drama confirmed to end in its seventh season, which is currently airing on Paramount+.

Originating on CBS in 2017, the military drama moved to its new streaming home, Paramount+, during its sixth season. The series follows David Boreanaz's Master Chief Jason Hayes and the Bravo Team, one of the most elite units of Navy SEALs, in the most dangerous, high-stakes missions worldwide.

In January 2023, a green light was given for season 7, but that's the extent of the series. With a devoted fan base, some are wondering why the military flick is drawing to a close. Boreanaz has given his reason why there won't be a SEAL Team Season 8, saying that he's "done, both physically and mentally," playing Jason in the series.

---

Reasons why there won't be a SEAL Team Season 8

---

David Boreanaz "can't do it anymore" in terms of filming highly physical scenes for the show

One key reason SEAL Team Season 8 is not happening is that its lead actor is leaving the show. After a seven-season run, David Boreanaz has been ready to say goodbye to his Bravo 1 character. He revealed that his body is the main reason why he's leaving the show.

Boreanaz spoke to People in August 2024 about why fans shouldn't expect a SEAL Team Season 8 from him. He explained that he and his fellow cast members dedicate themselves to telling "authentic" stories of elite soldiers, including intense training and filming physical scenes, and his body "just can't do it anymore."

He recalled directing a scene where he had to carry a 250-lb stunt double on his back and explained how his body nearly gave up, saying:

"Ten feet in, I hit a rock, and my ankle twists and I fall flat down. My ankle is ballooning, but I had to keep going. You learn from the SEALs how to push through pain—I'm talking [about] guys who have had their arm blown off and are cracking jokes because that's how they deal with it. It's very intense."

Boreanaz further explained that while he takes care of his body, "it gets to a point where your body's not moving like it used to." He added that he had about four MRIs in the past four months for different parts of his body. On September 4, 2024, he also told Collider that playing his character had taken an emotional toll on him, saying:

"I was like, 'I'm done, both physically and mentally. It's very difficult to portray these types of emotions, day in and out, when you're shooting."

In SEAL Team Season 7, Boreanaz's character, Jason Hayes, is facing worsening symptoms of his traumatic brain injury (TBI).

---

The show may have run its course

Like any long-running TV series, it could be that the show has run its course, and that could be why a SEAL Team Season 8 won't happen. SEAL Team started in 2017 with 22 episodes during its first and second seasons. After that, the show was shortened into 20, 16, and 14 episodes in seasons 3, 4, and 5, respectively.

Four episodes of season 5 still aired on CBS, but the rest of the season moved to Paramount+. The sixth season on the streaming platform was even shorter at only ten episodes, and so is the current Season 7.

One problem with long-running shows is the decline in quality, especially when old cast members and crew move on to other projects. With David Boreanaz set on ending his character as Bravo 1, it would leave the series without its main character and executive producer if they pursue an eighth season. It could be that the production doesn't want to gamble on a new season for SEAL Team without the star character that made the series famous.

---

While there won't be a SEAL Team Season 8, interested viewers can still watch Seasons 1 through 7 of the military drama streaming on Paramount+.