Neil Brown Jr. teases where Ray’s head is at in SEAL Team Season 6

Ray Perry is the heart of Bravo Team, and he’s certainly been through a lot on SEAL Team. Neil Brown Jr. talked to us about where Ray’s head is in Season 6, and much more.

Each of the characters on SEAL Team have been through a lot. For Ray, over the years he’s faced a crisis of faith, post-traumatic stress, and much more. It’s been a road of recovery for him, and now he’s at a point where he’s ready to lead and can help others deal with their own problems.

SEAL Team Season 6 premieres on Sunday, Sept. 18 picking up off the back of the Season 5 finale. We’ll see Bravo Team ambushed in Mali, and they will need to get one of their own out before it’s too late. That one is Clay, and this potential loss is going to have a knock-on effect on the rest of the team. How will Ray deal with all that? Where is his head at this point in the story?

We sat down with Neil Brown Jr. to talk about his character, including how he could help the rest of the team and whether we’ll get a chance to see Ray in charge again. Take a look at the exclusive interview.

Neil Brown Jr. talks where Ray is at in SEAL Team Season 6

We had to start with where Ray’s head is at as we open up the season. Clay’s life on the line impacts everyone. Brown Jr. shared that Ray is at “a place of care.”

"“He wants to help those who need it and open up avenues and pathways for people who need help. I think he feels a big responsibility to be a conduit to help those who need it.”"

Ray certainly has experience in bottling things up at first. He also knows how important talking to people is. This is a man who has faced post-traumatic stress after being kidnapped and tortured. Could he use his experience of the past to help? Will this lead to his post-traumatic stress to come back? After all, we know PTS never fully goes away.

Brown Jr. shared that Ray has found his way since opening up and getting help. Should Clay make it through, Ray can certainly be on side to help deal with the trauma of the events.

"“[Ray] understands we all need to reach out at times.”"

Having someone in a position of leadership who understands that is a powerful thing. Too many times, mental health is pushed under the rug, but having someone who understands the ‘put up and shut up’ mentality doesn’t work will help those who need it have confidence is talking to a professional.

Something we got to see during the last couple of seasons was for Ray to take charge. He has grown into his role as a Warrant Officer, but will we see more of that in the new season?

"“Oh yes, there’ll be more of that. As a Warrant Officer, he’ll have the opportunity to lead the charge, or help lead the charge. Ray’s original dream was to become a Master Chief of his own team, but he needed to change to support his family. But he stepped up as the leader when he needed to be, and I think Ray’s always been very good [at that]. He also became a Warrant Officer so he could stick with his brothers…he can also still be there for his family.”"

The inspiration for Ray Perry

Something Brown Jr. has been open about is that his father is the inspiration for his character. Usually, actors will see a character and work with what’s in the scripts. Showrunner Spencer Hudnut does things a little differently. There is a basis from the writers, but the actors also help to develop these characters, and that’s what happened here.

"“My dad always had a great sense of duty and he just told it how it was. He gave me the best values, and he’s always been strong in action. He is my hero.”"

Brown Jr. spent a lot of time with the writers and Hudnut to help with the development of the character. It is something that’s happened with each of the characters to bring in personalities that suit each actor in the roles.

When it comes to scenes or things that Ray hasn’t done yet that Brown Jr. would like, well, that’s again the benefit of a great writing team. If he gets an idea, it’s often worked into the show.

SEAL Team Season 6 premieres on Sunday, Sept. 18 on Paramount+.