Created by Karin Slaughter, Liz Heldens and Daniel T. Thomsen.
Will Trent premiered on January 3, 2023.
Distributed by Disney Platform Distribution in the United States.
Series Review
Will Trent is a crime drama that follows Special Agent Will Trent, played by Ramón Rodríguez, a smart but misunderstood detective with dyslexia and a difficult past.
The show mixes weekly crime cases with deep emotional stories about family, trust, and healing.
Season 1 introduces Will’s world, his struggles, sharp instincts, and bond with his partner Faith.
Season 2 raises the stakes with tougher cases and more personal conflicts, showing how Will’s past still affects his work.
Season 3 explores bigger investigations and deeper themes about justice and forgiveness.
What makes Will Trent stand out is its heart. It’s not just about solving crimes but understanding people.
With strong acting, good writing, and a mix of mystery and emotion, it’s one of the more meaningful crime shows on TV.
Perfect for anyone who enjoys detective stories with a human touch.
Ratings
• IMDb: 7.7/10
• Rotten Tomatoes: 89%
• Google Audience Score: 71% liked this TV show.
Will Trent Actors
Ramón Rodríguez as Special Agent Will Trent
DOB: September 24, 1979.
Bio: Puerto Rican–American actor and producer who grew up on Manhattan’s Lower East Side.
He began his career with small television roles before breaking out in The Wire as Renaldo and later appearing in Day Break, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen, and The Affair.
Role: Will Trent is a Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) special agent who survived a difficult childhood in Atlanta’s foster care system and lives with dyslexia.
His exceptional observational skills and empathy make him a gifted investigator, even as his trauma and isolation shape his approach to work and relationships.
Seasons & Episodes: S1–3 (41 eps).
What to Expect: A grounded, work-first protagonist who’s complicated in his private life, expect quiet intensity, flashes of humor and emotional reveals tied to his past.
Interesting facts: Ramón Rodríguez also serves as an executive producer on the series and has directed select episodes. L
He has spoken in interviews about infusing his Puerto Rican identity and New York roots into Will’s resilience and worldview.
Notable works: The Wire, The Affair, Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen.
Erika Christensen as Detective Angela “Angie” Polaski
DOB: August 19, 1982.
Bio: American actress and singer who first gained major attention for her critically acclaimed performance in Traffic (2000).
She went on to star in the hit NBC drama Parenthood, earning praise for her emotional authenticity and natural warmth.
Role: Angie Polaski is an Atlanta Police Department homicide detective and Will Trent’s longtime friend and complicated love interest.
Both characters share a difficult past from their time in the foster system, which forms a powerful emotional bond and an undercurrent of unresolved pain.
Seasons & Episodes: S1–3 (41 eps).
What to Expect: Tough, emotionally honest work: Angie alternates blunt procedural instinct with fragile private moments.
Interesting facts: Erika Christensen prepared extensively for the role by studying real-life law enforcement work and addiction recovery stories.
Notable works: Traffic, Parenthood, The Case for Christ.
Iantha Richardson as Special Agent Faith Mitchell
DOB: June 16, 1990.
Bio: American actress and dancer with formal training in both performance and choreography.
Before transitioning to acting, she studied dance at Fordham University and The Ailey School, developing the discipline and physical awareness that now enhance her on-screen work.
Role: Faith Mitchell is a Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) special agent partnered with Will Trent.
The daughter of a disgraced Atlanta PD officer, Faith carries the weight of her family’s reputation while proving her own integrity and skill.
Seasons & Episodes: S1–3 (41 eps).
What to Expect: A capable, no-nonsense partner who grows into trust with Will while carrying family baggage that fuels emotional subplots.
Interesting facts: Richardson’s dance/theatre background helps with the show’s physicality and the tight choreography of investigative scenes.
Notable works: This Is Us, American Soul, Good Trouble.
Jake McLaughlin as Detective Michael Ormewood
DOB: October 7, 1982.
Bio: American actor and former U.S. Army soldier.
After serving in Iraq as part of the 3rd Infantry Division, he transitioned to acting, bringing authenticity and quiet intensity to his roles.
McLaughlin gained attention for his performances in In the Valley of Elah and later as Ryan Booth in Quantico.
Role: Detective Michael Ormewood is a veteran Atlanta Police Department homicide detective and Angie Polaski’s long-time partner.
Practical, blunt, and occasionally hot-tempered, Michael represents the traditional law enforcement perspective, often clashing with Will Trent’s unorthodox methods.
Seasons & Episodes: S1–3 (41 eps).
What to Expect: Grounded cop work, occasional domestic scenes that reveal the toll police life takes on relationships.
Interesting facts: McLaughlin’s real-life military service in Iraq deeply shapes his approach to roles involving discipline and moral tension.
Notable works: Quantico, Believe, In the Valley of Elah.
Sonja Sohn as Amanda Wagner
DOB: May 9, 1964.
Bio: American actress, filmmaker, and activist best known for her groundbreaking role as Detective Kima Greggs on HBO’s The Wire.
Before acting, she was a slam poet and writer, known for her lyrical storytelling and social insight.
Role: Amanda Wagner serves as the Deputy Director of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) and Will Trent’s superior.
She’s sharp, pragmatic, and politically astute, a seasoned leader who understands both the bureaucracy of law enforcement and the emotional toll it takes.
Seasons & Episodes: S1–3 (41 eps).
What to Expect: Sharp leadership scenes, moral friction, and moments where institutional priorities conflict with Will’s instincts.
Interesting facts: Beyond her acting career, Sohn is a documentary filmmaker (The Slow Hustle) and social activist who has worked closely with communities impacted by policing and violence.
Notable works: The Wire, Body of Proof, Slam, The Chi, The Slow Hustle (director).
Gina Rodriguez as Assistant District Attorney Marion Alba
DOB: July 30, 1984.
Bio: American actress, producer, and director best known for her Golden Globe-winning performance in Jane the Virgin.
A graduate of NYU’s Tisch School of the Arts, Rodriguez has steadily built a diverse career spanning drama, comedy, and genre storytelling.
Role: Introduced in Will Trent Season 3, Assistant District Attorney Marion Alba is a sharp, determined prosecutor who frequently works alongside the GBI team.
She’s known for her clear moral compass, incisive courtroom strategy, and willingness to challenge both Will and Amanda when she believes the law demands it.
Seasons & Episodes: S3 (13 eps).
What to Expect: A confident, take-charge prosecutor who complicates Will’s lone-wolf instincts and helps push the series into courtroom/justice territory.
Interesting facts: Gina’s casting was highlighted as a major Season 3 addition and she’s said she was attracted to Marion’s moral force.
Notable works: Jane the Virgin, Annihilation, Awake.
Mark-Paul Gosselaar as Paul Campano
DOB: March 1, 1974.
Bio: American actor best known for playing Zack Morris on the iconic teen sitcom Saved by the Bell.
Over the decades, he has successfully transitioned from light comedy to more complex, dramatic television roles, earning respect as a versatile and consistent performer.
Role: Paul Campano is a recurring character in Will Trent, reintroduced from Karin Slaughter’s novels as a link to Will’s past and early GBI cases.
What to Expect: Authentic, memorable smaller scenes that humanize the outlying characters Will encounters.
Once a childhood friend of a key victim, Paul reappears through cases involving Atlanta’s elite and corporate circles, where his connections create moral and procedural tension.
Seasons & Episodes: S1 (4 eps).
What to Expect: A charismatic, scene-stealing recurring performance used to escalate procedural stakes.
Interesting facts: Gosselaar has leaned into more dramatic roles in recent years; fans spot him as an “unexpected” but effective casting choice in crime dramas.
Notable works: Saved by the Bell, Franklin & Bash, Mixed-ish.
Greg Germann as James Ulster
DOB: February 26, 1958.
Bio: American actor, director, and writer best known for his breakout role as Richard Fish on the acclaimed legal dramedy Ally McBeal.
Over his decades-long career, he has built a reputation for portraying articulate, confident, and morally ambiguous professional.
Role: James Ulster is a recurring character in Will Trent, connected to the show’s legal and political subplots.
A well-connected Atlanta attorney and occasional liaison between the GBI and local power players, Ulster represents the institutional forces that often hinder or redirect investigations.
Seasons & Episodes: S1–2(4 eps).
What to Expect: Smooth, slightly menacing performance that raises questions about motive and power.
Interesting facts: Germann’s extensive television résumé includes both comedy and drama, allowing him to play figures who can pivot from friendly to formidable in a single scene.
Notable works: Ally McBeal, Grey’s Anatomy, Friends from College, Sweet November.
LisaGay Hamilton as Evelyn Mitchell
DOB: March 25, 1964.
Bio: American actress, director, and producer celebrated for her nuanced performances on both screen and stage.
A Juilliard-trained performer, she first gained major recognition for her role as attorney Rebecca Washington on The Practice, earning multiple awards and critical acclaim.
Role: Evelyn Mitchell is Faith Mitchell’s mother and a retired Atlanta Police Department captain.
Once a respected officer, Evelyn’s past, including connections to former colleagues and departmental controversies, adds emotional and ethical depth to Faith’s arc.
Seasons & Episodes: S1–3 (5 eps).
What to Expect: A layered, authoritative maternal presence whose past choices affect present investigations.
Interesting facts: Hamilton’s classical theatre background, combined with her activism for women’s rights and the arts, brings authenticity and gravitas to her portrayal.
Notable works: The Practice, Beloved, House of Cards, Vice.
Cora Lu Tran as Nico
DOB: N/A.
Bio: Cora Lu Tran is a rising actor and filmmaker known for their grounded, contemporary screen presence.
They bring a natural realism and quiet humor to each role, often portraying characters who challenge social expectations with warmth and individuality.
Role: Nico is a former suspect who develops a friendly connection with Will Trent after being cleared in an investigation.
They occasionally pet-sit Will’s beloved dog, Betty, and serve as one of the few people in his orbit who see him outside of his professional persona.
Seasons & Episodes: S1–3 (18 eps).
Interesting facts: Nico has been widely praised for broadening representation within network TV crime dramas.
Off-screen, Cora Lu Tran advocates for authentic storytelling
Notable works: Saturday Ritual, Paradise.
John Ortiz as Antonio Miranda
DOB: May 23, 1968.
Bio: American actor and co-founder of New York’s LAByrinth Theater Company.
His versatility has earned him recognition in both indie dramas and major studio films, as well as steady television work that highlights his depth and authenticity.
Role: Antonio Miranda, introduced in Season 2, is Will Trent’s uncle, a connection that sheds new light on Will’s family history and upbringing.
Seasons & Episodes: S2 (3 eps).
What to Expect: Family drama and scenes that dig into Will’s origins, loyalties, and the complicated ties that shape him.
Interesting facts: Ortiz’s background in theatre gives his performance a subtle, lived-in realism.
Notable works: American Gangster, Silver Linings Playbook, Fast & Furious, Messiah, The Fallout.
Scott Foley as Dr. Seth McDale
DOB: July 15, 1972.
Bio: American actor, director, and writer best known for his roles in Felicity, Scandal, and The Unit.
A seasoned television presence, Foley brings charm, wit, and layered emotional depth to his characters.
Role: Dr. Seth McDale appears in Will Trent Season 3 as a doctor whose professional and personal ties intersect with Detective Angie Polaski’s storyline.
Seasons & Episodes: S3 (7 eps).
What to Expect: Charismatic guest beats that complicate main characters’ private lives and inject interpersonal drama.
Interesting facts: Foley has discussed enjoying varied guest arcs that let him play against type.
Notable works: Felicity, Scandal, The Unit, Whiskey Cavalier, Grey’s Anatomy.
More Actors
Season 1 (2023)
• Christina Wren as Caroline.
• Kelvin Daniels as Franklin.
• Todd Allen Durkin as Captain Heller.
• Kurt Yue as Pete Chin.
Season 2 (2024)
• Owen Trumbly as Max Ormewood.
• Isaac Dodds as 12-Year-Old Will Trent.
• Ser’Darius Blain as Luke Sullivan.
• Charlie Besso as Joey.
Season 3 (2025)
• Antwayn Hopper as Rafael Wexford.
• Dan Gill as John.
• Josue Charles as Peanut.
• Kyrie Mcalpin as Sunny.
FAQ – Will Trent TV Series
Will there be a Season 4?
Yes, ABC renewed Will Trent for Season 4 (announced in 2024); midseason 2026 is the likeliest return window based on network scheduling. More on Decider
Is Will Trent based on a book?
Yes, it’s adapted from Karin Slaughter’s Will Trent novels.
How many seasons and episodes are there?
As of mid-2025 the show has 3 seasons and 41 episodes.
Where was it filmed?
Will Trent is filmed in Atlanta, Georgia, using real city locations and studios to capture the show’s authentic Southern atmosphere.
Where can I watch it?
New episodes air on ABC; episodes stream the next day on Hulu (and Disney+ in some regions).
What is the content rating / is it kid-friendly?
The show is generally rated TV-14 and Common Sense Media recommends it for teens (about 14+), due to violence and mature themes.
Conclusion
Will Trent is more than your typical police drama, it’s a heartfelt story about resilience, empathy, and second chances.
Ramón Rodríguez brings warmth and depth to the role, turning Will into a character you root for both in and out of the investigation room.
The series blends mystery, emotion, and real-life struggles in a way that feels genuine and inspiring.
While it follows the familiar structure of a crime show, its focus on character growth and emotional truth makes it stand out.
If you love detective stories that show both the brain and the heart behind the badge, Will Trent is absolutely worth watching.