Why ‘Will Trent’ Is Still a Hit in Season 3: The Secrets Behind Its Success

by

Daniel Thomsen, one of the creators of the character Will Trent, believes it’s the resilience of this character that keeps fans captivated as the ABC series enters its third season. “Will has been through a lot, bearing the marks to prove it,” Thomsen explains, “but he never gives up. He keeps fighting, and I think people admire that determination.” This perspective is shared with The Hollywood Reporter.

His challenging upbringing, marked by being raised without a mother and navigating through the foster care system while facing physical abuse, eventually led him to become an accomplished special agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). Despite his dyslexia, he thrived in his career. At work, he has formed a close-knit group that functions like family: Amanda (Sonja Sohn), who serves as a maternal figure, and Faith (Iantha Richardson), whom he cares for deeply, viewing her as the little sister with whom he both quarrels and cherishes.

Additionally, there’s Angie (Erika Christensen). They crossed paths in foster care, giving her insight into his past. Similar to Will, she’s discovered tranquility in her role as a detective with the Atlanta Police Department and has a fantastic friend in her partner Ormewood (Jake McLaughlin), who isn’t as close with Will. There might be a deep connection between them, but their history of playing emotional games could prevent them from experiencing a fairy-tale ending, particularly after last season’s finale.

It was those layers within the characters that motivated Liz Heldens, one of the co-creators and showrunners, to initiate the series. “I was an avid reader of Karin Slaughter’s books and I deeply connected with that character,” she explains to THR. “His complex background, his demeanor, his struggle with dyslexia, his thoughtfulness – it’s intriguing. He’s not a character who talks a lot; you find yourself leaning in because you’re wondering, what is he thinking?

The “Will Trent” book series recently released its 12th installment, titled “This is Why We Lied,” in August. Slaughter was particularly impressed by Heldens’ keen eye for detail, stating that their meeting a few years ago revealed Heldens’ status as an avid reader. As Slaughter explained during the promotion of the series at the SCAD TV Fest shortly after its 2023 premiere, “She really loved the books; she asked questions that any reader would ask. I thought, she knows what she’s doing. She truly understands the story, so I can trust her.

trust is extended not only to the cast members but also to numerous collaborators working behind the scenes, including BAFTA and Emmy-nominated Scottish director Paul McGuigan (who directed the show’s pilot) and costume designer Mary Jane Fort. Additionally, finding an ideal Will Trent was crucial, and Heldens credits actor Ramón Rodriguez for their stellar performance in this role.

Before assuming the character of Will Trent, Rodriguez had a consistent career since 2005, amassing numerous credits across both TV shows (such as The Wire, Gang Related, and The Affair) and films (Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, The Taking of Pelham 123). However, Will Trent represents Rodriguez’s highest-profile role. Not only does he star in the series, but he also serves as an executive producer and made his directorial debut for television with the premiere of the third season. Beyond simply embodying Will Trent’s signature brown three-piece suit, Rodriguez also brings depth to the character’s emotional journey throughout the series.

Thomsen admires the depth of Will’s character in this series, as it’s evident how much turmoil he endures. He believes Karin [Slaughter] crafted a heartfelt background for Will, which allows us to delve into his struggles. Humor is crucial when dealing with intense emotions, and we aim to incorporate that coping mechanism in our show,” Thomsen explains. “In other words, we strive to infuse the program with an approach that helps people navigate through difficult days without losing their sanity.

Rodriguez, who was born in Puerto Rico and raised in New York City, values this particular aspect of our show. He explained to THR during a set visit in Atlanta that it effectively combines humor and drama, which is quite difficult to achieve. In fact, not only does it require skillful writing, but the cast must also be adept at handling both aspects. Rodriguez believes we manage this delicate balance quite well.

An illustration of such a turnaround could be observed when the series continued from its season two ending. What viewers had anticipated as a blissful future for Will and Angie with children and a traditional white picket fence turned out to be quite unexpected. Rather than Will proposing, he instead handcuffed Angie in front of everyone at the Atlanta Police Department.

In the opening scene of Season 3, it’s clear that Angie had knowledge about Crystal (residing at Chapel Oaks) being responsible for the murder of her stepfather, Lenny, who had been a pedophile and had victimized both Crystal and Angie herself. Instead of sharing this suspicion with Will, Faith, Ormewood (portrayed by Jake McLaughlin), she chose to take matters into her own hands. Tragically, Angie confronted Crystal in the woods, causing Crystal to flee and resulting in an accident that led to Angie’s untimely death. It cannot be denied that Angie breached professional boundaries once more, but given the nature of these men, it was a relief for both the viewers and the actress portraying Angie to see her living freely and not behind bars at the start of Season 3.

Erika Christensen shared with THR that our writers enjoy portraying Angie’s journey where she makes progress, only to encounter another setback. This experience is challenging for Angie, causing her to scrutinize her mistakes, understand how her feelings derailed her good judgment, and realize she didn’t fulfill her responsibilities as required.

Will’s disappointments and sorrow plunged him into a deep spiral. He abandoned the GBI to seek solitude in Tennessee, wrapping himself in the comfort of his small canine companion, Betty. He avoided all contact with everyone, even Nico (Cora Lu Tran), who has looked after Betty. Rodriguez describes Will’s bond with Betty as a tender aspect of him and a significant part of his heart. “I appreciate the moments when they are together,” Rodriguez says, “because it showcases such a beautiful relationship they share. And Betty never lets him down.

During their secluded period, Will abandoned his distinctive suit and beardless look. Interestingly, it wasn’t a lethal assault on police officers at a barbecue that prompted his return to Atlanta; instead, it was an unexpected link to the eccentric gangster Rafael (Antwayn Hopper), who was allegedly orchestrating the attack. In his foster care days, Will resided with Rafael and his grandmother, Ms. Pearl, played by the iconic actress Marla Gibbs from “The Jeffersons.” Initially, Will’s reluctance to assist in solving the crime, particularly at crucial moments, irritated Faith, his former partner. This tension between them is depicted in early episodes of season three, culminating in an unusual dance. However, their relationship improves when Will helps save Faith’s mother Evelyn Mitchell (LisaGay Hamilton) in episode five titled “Breathe with Me.

Iantha Richardson explains to THR that Will and Faith’s relationship seems to be going backwards a bit, not entirely, but returning to earlier thoughts. They’ve tackled many challenges by the midpoint of season two, such as her problems with him due to his treatment of her mother, among other issues. As we are now, it’s a step back for their relationship. However, there’s still season three ahead to explore how they move past this hurdle.

Heroine feels blessed to discover her faith. “We searched for quite some time before finding Iantha Richardson,” she shares. “She was the missing puzzle piece. We looked everywhere, and to me, she is truly extraordinary.

Beyond her role at work and Will, Faith has a busy personal life according to Richardson, who has worked on shows like “This Is Us” and “Good Trouble”. Richardson notes that despite being a teenage mother, Faith finds herself in an intriguing phase because she’s not yet old. Instead, she is right in her prime and is now an empty nester. Faith is currently navigating this new stage of life, which Richardson describes as a thrilling new chapter for her.

The bond between Will and Amanda has always felt more like a nurturing mother-son dynamic. It wasn’t until the end of season one that we learned why Amanda behaves so maternal towards Will. However, another hidden fact emerged in season two, causing friction between them. In season three, their relationship is neither warmly familial nor strained with conflict. Instead, it maintains a unique and complex dynamic.

Sonja Sohn explains that due to the abundance of storylines we’re working with and limited screen time for their relationship, she often prepares additional details on her own. She feels that during Will’s six-month absence, Amanda has been reflecting on the impact this separation has had on her. Interestingly, Amanda takes on a motherly role towards Sunny, the teenager daughter of Rafael, who was once Will’s foster brother and a drug kingpin.

In the real world, Son has had the opportunity to observe Rodriguez’s career progression within this industry. Although they didn’t work together or share scenes when both were on The Wire, Son has seen Rodriguez’s journey from his portrayal of Renaldo, the last lover of Michael K. Williams’ beloved character Omar Little in season four of the groundbreaking series, to becoming the star and producer of his own show. “It’s simply awe-inspiring,” she expresses. “I’m genuinely thrilled for Ramón to witness what he’s accomplished with his talent.

In the second season, Rodriguez infused his own cultural background into the storyline of the character Will, by delving deeper into Will’s roots. This revelation that Will’s mother Lucy was Puerto Rican led to him learning the Spanish language, introducing his maternal uncle Antonio (played by John Ortiz) and taking a trip to Puerto Rico in the series.

As a gamer, I found the storyline flowed seamlessly, striking a perfect balance in showcasing Will’s cultural background without being heavy-handed or offensive. It’s an honor for me to authentically portray this aspect, avoiding stereotypes and misconceptions. Will is a multifaceted character on a complex journey, and witnessing him discover his true identity is nothing short of captivating.

It’s been revealed that Will has a new romantic interest in Assistant District Attorney Marion Alba, portrayed by Gina Rodriguez who is known for her roles in “Jane the Virgin” and “Not Dead Yet”. This relationship could develop further as shown in episode four titled “Floor Is Lava”. Previously, Angie made it clear their relationship was over. She stated, “We’re not lovers, we’re not friends; we’re co-workers.” As of now, there seems to be no obstacles preventing Will from pursuing a serious relationship with Marion, as there has been chemistry between them since the very first episode of this season.

Heldens mentions that they were curious about how Will would react when faced with someone who possesses high emotional intelligence and isn’t troubled. This person is an effective communicator, she says. Will finds it easy to converse with her, and their relationship develops in a natural and healthy manner. However, this normal development might pose a challenge for Will.”

Or, more casually:

“Heldens shares that they wondered how Will would handle someone who’s emotionally smart and not broken. This girl communicates well, she explains. Turns out, Will can chat with her easily, and their connection just happens. But it seems like this regular development could be a bit tough for Will.

For years now, I’ve had the privilege of knowing the remarkable Will Trent, and since we share Puerto Rican roots, there’s an undeniable connection,” I say, eager to express my feelings. In contrast to Will and Angie, however, Marion and I don’t share a complex past. She confesses that she’s completely unaware of who Will is or his reputation. “Marion is the one individual oblivious to Will’s standing,” she admits. “She’s blissfully unaware of his role as a top agent, and it isn’t because she’s aligning herself with him. Instead, she approaches him without any preconceived notions or expectations.

For the first time, Rodriguez isn’t participating in a show during its third season. Moreover, she hasn’t taken on a leading role in a television series that isn’t comedic, and her current character is unlike any she’s portrayed before.

Rodriguez expresses that for the first time in a show, she’s portraying a character who is Puerto Rican, something her ‘Jane the Virgin’ character, Jane, was not. She finds it empowering to embody this tough, calculated, and strong-minded lawyer character who is also Puerto Rican. When she said the lines on set, she got goosebumps.

The journey ahead for Will and Marion in “Will Trent” looks incredibly satisfying, she assures us. “I’m thrilled for everyone to witness the development of the entire season,” she says. “It has its ups and downs, and we face some challenging hurdles. We scale heights that lead to intense dramatic moments. We also delve into comedic situations, but what I’m particularly excited about are the extremely dramatic scenes, which I relished because I haven’t had such an opportunity before. I can’t wait for everyone to see it.

New episodes of Will Trent air Tuesdays on ABC and stream on Hulu the next day. 

Read More

2025-02-13 05:56