Unlike History Channel though, the might of CBS meant they could 22 produce episodes a season and have the budget to do it. David Boreanaz, a consistent lead actor in television for many years was the eventual choice to head series. CBS has found success with a Delta Force series called The Unit from 2006 to 2009 so had some familiarity with a special forces series,
Embarking on a series like this generally means a smaller but dedicated audience as many women will tune in other shows. Still, for most of the time it was on television it held a fair sized audience. It was an expensive show though and CBS decided they wanted to make room on the network for other series so it was decided to make SEAL Team one of shows going to their new Paramount + Network.
It is the first and perhaps only program to start as a network series and continue as an original streamer series, SEAL Team was able to spice up the language if not the violence of the series. Swearing was featured on the streaming episodes. One major difference was that instead of 22 episodes, the series had 10 episodes a season. Netflix, Amazon Prime and streamers like Paramount+ just don't producer as many episodes. It is their major weakness.
Boreanaz as Master Chief Hayes was the main character and the stories featured both his missions and family life. Writers on the show often had a military background including special forces which lent to the authenticity of the series. By it's nature fewer female characters appeared as regular cast but the ones that did were important to the show.
Canadian actress Jessica Pare who played a CIA officer Mandy Ellis almost didn't get the role when CBS higher ups tried to torpedo her. It is still not known why the president didn't want her but producers fought to get her and she was a regular and recurring character throughout. It is shame they didn't use her more in the last two years as a CIA officer attached to Bravo because it was a very interesting role. They did try to have the relationship blossom between her and Hayes. In typical TV series drama, a wedding took place but it was Hayes's daughter but all of the cast was there and Hayes and Mandy were together as a couple ready to take it to the next step of happiness.
The main female character throughout the series was Lisa Davis played by Toni Trucks whose evolution from Specialist to Lieutenant was something to see on the show. In the end Sonny, played by Canadian actor A.J. Buckley, gives up his trident to follow Davis to a big promotion to Washington.
The loss of the character of Clay Spenser played by Max Theriot affected every other member of Bravo company and their families. It took the show down a path to show just how much military service and the aftermath affected those who served.
There have been a number of shows about military conflict over the years that have marked certain times in world history. MASH, Band of Brothers, Combat! and others have been as important to our understanding of those times even if it has been told by Hollywood. The change from network TV to streaming service might make these type of shows a more rare item.
Many streamers are not making any money but then again network TV is struggling too. The issue of how to make money in this new environment and it is a major concern. Paramount as a studio is going through its second series of cutbacks this year. Hollywood has many unemployed people in California. The government in the state is looking at tax credits. They'd be wise to do so as Manitoba is having a boom in filming because of the tax credit, the crews, the locations and facilities.
Shows like SEAL Team are expensive because of the location work. However, when places like Manitoba work with the film companies, you have more of a recipe for success. The final season of SEAL Team was filmed in Columbia. The realism is what drew fans to the show. It will be missed by many.
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