Wil Willis, the former host of the History Channel’s “Forged in Fire,” left the show after its seventh season. He was replaced by Grady Powell, a former U.S. Army Green Beret, starting with the eighth season.
Wil Willis was the host of “Forged in Fire” from its inception in 2015 until 2019. He is a former Army Ranger and Air Force Pararescueman with a background well-suited to the show’s theme of bladesmithing and weapons expertise. His departure from the show was not publicly explained in great detail, leading to speculation among fans. It’s not uncommon for hosts of long-running TV shows to move on to other projects or for the show’s producers to make changes to keep the format fresh.
After leaving “Forged in Fire,” Wil Willis has kept a relatively low profile. He has not announced any major new television projects or career moves. However, he remains active on social media, where he shares aspects of his personal life, including family updates. Willis welcomed a new child with his wife, artist Krystle Amina, in March 2020, which may have influenced his decision to step away from the show and focus on his growing family. It’s also possible that contractual negotiations or creative differences played a role in his departure, but without an official statement from Willis or the show’s producers, the exact reasons remain speculative.