A delightfully heartwarming police procedural, ABC’sWill Trentpremiered in 2023 and was developed for TV by Liz Heldens and Daniel Thomsen, based on the novel series by Karin Slaughter. With a focus on the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and the Atlanta Police Department (APD), it quickly garnered fans and proved to be a step above similar shows on the air.
Not entirely episodic,Will Trentusually focuses on two separate cases at a time with the GBI and APD, though they sometimes overlap and spread across multiple episodes. Because the stories are often ongoing, viewers are that much more invested in the show, because when one puzzle is solved, there is always another waiting. Coupling that with the ever-changing personal lives of the cast,Will Trenthas had audiences gripped from the very beginning. Unlike many other shows, though, it’s only gained in popularity, with its third season averaging nearly two million more viewers an episode than it garnered in Season 1. Why isWill Trentmore popular than ever?
‘Will Trent’ Has a Brilliant Cast of Characters
Will Trent
The biggest reason that viewers keep tuning into the series and have created such a devoted fan base is the fully fleshed-out characters that populate the show. More than just stereotypical cops,Will Trent’s ensemble castis full of talented investigators and powerful leaders who have all had to overcome obstacles to be where they are today. Leading the cast is Ramòn Rodriguez as the titular Will Trent. GBI’s best investigator, Will is a man with a troubled past. Growing up in foster care after being left in a trash can at birth, he suffered severe physical abuse throughout his childhood, which was only exacerbated by his extreme dyslexia, which makes it difficult for him to read and write.
Will Trentdoesn’t shy away from the realities of its characters' backstories. Rather than use their tragic pasts as a cheap way to gain sympathy from audiences and then move along, these traumas are ingrained in the show as they affect every decision the characters make. This is especially true with APD Detective Angie Polaski (Erika Christensen). She grew up in a children’s home alongside Will, who became her lifelong friend and on-again-off-again lover. She has a history of being sexually abused and is a recovering drug user.
The excellent writers ofWill Trentnot only ensure that the lead roles are so well-developed, but that the supporting cast has their own backstories which influence everything they do. Will’s GBI partner is Agent Faith Mitchell (Iantha Richardson), a Black woman who is the daughter of legendary (then disgraced) GBI Agent Evelyn Mitchell (LisaGay Hamilton). After becoming pregnant as a 14-year-old, Faith raised her now-adult son as a single mother and has achieved success despite the obstacles she was faced with. She not only had her mother as a role model for Black female leadership but also her pseudo-aunt, GBI Deputy Director Amanda Wagner (Sonja Sohn), who rules the department with an iron fist and whose hard exterior protects the soft heart beneath.
Similarly, Angie’s partner, Detective Michael Ormewood (Jake McLaughlin), is an army veteran with aggression issues and a complicated home life, though he remains dedicated to the job and loyal to his colleagues.
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Minority Representation Is Important on ‘Will Trent’
Will Trentis a show thatthrives on its minority representationin nearly every aspect. The lead role is played by a Latino man who meets his biological uncle, who teaches him about his Puerto Rican heritage and shares his dyslexia diagnosis. Previously, Will wasashamed of his learning disability, but over time, he becomes more open about it and embraces tools that help him live more efficiently.
Another Puerto Rican character,Jane the Virgin’sGina Rodriguez, plays a pivotal role inWill TrentSeason 3. Several cast members are Black women who are often underrepresented in media, especially in positions of power. The series champions them with Faith and Amanda as integral parts of the GBI. They’re seen as just as badass as the others (if not more so).
Finally, Nico (Cora Lu Tran), a down-on-their-luck young adult who gets taken under Will’s wing and pet-sits his chihuahua, is non-binary and uses they/them pronouns. None of these minority attributes define the characters or are even made a big deal of within the narrative, but are merely presented as part of who they are. The only exception is the Black characters, whomWill Trentuses to bring attention to the racism and sexism in law enforcement, especially when Amanda and Evelyn were beat cops in the ’80s.
Dynamic Relationships Bring ‘Will Trent’ to Life
It is not only these varied and complex characters that makeWill Trentso interesting to watch; it’s really how they interact with each other that brings the show to life. Whether it’s people who can relate to each other’s trauma, like Will and Angie, or people who couldn’t be more different, like Will and Faith, each person brings their unique personality to the table, creating fascinating dynamics and thoroughly enjoyable stories.
Will and Angie are a constant reminder of each other’s pasts, showcasing how sometimes the most familiar and comforting relationships aren’t always the best ones for you. Meanwhile, Faith doesn’t hesitate to call Will out when he’s being insensitive, reckless, or stubborn. Despite the rocky start to their partnership, they come to rely on each other in the field and respect each other professionally — an excellent example of overcoming differences in favor of true friendship.
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The shifting relationships in the show are perhaps best represented through Detective Ormewood and how the GBI and APD begin working together more successfully. While Ormewood has a longstanding dislike for Will — likely because he investigated and exposed a ring of dirty cops in the APD — he comes to begrudgingly respect the other man’s skills. They also both care deeply about Angie, which bonds them, even if they don’t always want to admit it. The foursome of Will, Faith, Angie, and Ormewood come together to tackle difficult cases and form a pseudo-family who can count on having each other’s backs when push comes to shove. These expertly written and acted dynamics prove whyWill Trentis one of the fewmodern detective shows that are already classics.
‘Will Trent’ Is Objectively Funny
The most delightful part ofWill Trentis that even though it tackles heavy subject matter and traumatic experiences, it is one of the funniest cop shows on television. It manages to walk the fine line between seriousness and lightheartedness without ever making light of the tough topics it addresses. Between the characters' senses of humor, some hilariously written storylines, and the playful production techniques,Will Trentis a hidden gem in the genre.
Will’s dry sense of humor is a staple of the show as he delivers sarcastic observations with a deadpan face. Part of his charm is also shown through his relationship withBetty the chihuahua, a type of dog one wouldn’t automatically associate with a hardened investigator. Will’s love for Betty (along with Nico’s) is often the source of comedic moments. Others are more overtly funny, like Faith with her sass and quippy one-liners. Ormewood also often acts as comic relief with his childish humor, with a cache of dad jokes always on the ready.
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‘Will Trent’ Injects Humor into Every Episode
Despite tackling cases that mostly deal with murders, rapes, and kidnappings, it would be easy to assume thatWill Trenthas a dark tone like so many other criminal shows. However, there is at least one laugh-out-loud moment in each episode, and it never feels overburdened by its subject matter. Often, these moments of levity are tied into the cases, like when Will, Faith, Angie, and Michael play a hilarious game of “The Floor is Lava,” climbing over furniture to avoid disturbing footprint evidence on a victim’s rug. Not only were they working together and doing their jobs despite tensions between them, but the show even managed to sneak in an especially poignant moment between Will and Angie in the midst of the chaos.
Another example ofWill Trent’s humor comes in an episode where Will is inadvertently kidnapped and in grave danger. He manages to reach out for rescue by sending a message through the Instagram page that Nico set up for “Bad Bitch Betty.” The show manages to bring in another element of humor that doesn’t take away from the gravity of the situation. These moments of lightheartedness don’t outshine the difficulties these characters face but rather exist alongside them in the same way that light and dark co-exist in the real world.
Post-Production Choices Are the Cherry on Top of ‘Will Trent’
The serious-meets-cheerful vibe ofWill Trentis really tied together through its post-production. With unique title screens in every episode, the use of split screens and other editing techniques, and the inclusion of ironic music, the show creates an atmosphere for the viewer to sink into just by tuning in. Characters occasionally break into lip-syncing solos (Will is Gladys Knight, Betty is the Pips) or have a group sing-a-long in the car to Otis Redding’s “Good to Me.”
In one scene, a rendition of the “Cha Cha Slide” perfectly coincides with the choreography of a knock-down drag-out fight between two people, which encapsulates the overall feeling ofWill Trent. The show explores deeply painful topics and tells devastating stories in a very real way but still manages to bring a smile to the face of anyone who watches, which is why it’s become one ofthe best network proceduralson air.
