Ever since I happened upon the first season of “Will Trent”, which is based on Karin Slaughter’s series of novels of the same title, I’ve become a fan of the crime drama, which has been given the green light for a third season.
The lead character, Wilbur “Will” Trent (Ramón Rodríguez), is a special agent with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI).
Having grown up in the foster care system in Atlanta, he shares a close relationship with Amanda Wagner (Sonja Sohn), the GBI head who taught him everything he knows, and APD detective Angela “Angie” Polaski (Erika Christensen), who was in the same foster home as him. Angie and Will are also on-again-off-again lovers.
In the first instalment, streamers witnessed Will in action. Despite his dyslexia, he has a knack for reading a crime scene like no one else, resulting in him cracking his cases. Also, he doesn’t suffer fools easily.
Reluctantly partnered with Faith Mitchell (Iantha Richardson), a GBI special agent and Amanda’s niece, Will adopts Betty (Bluebell), a chihuahua, during his investigation.
Meanwhile, Angie, working closely with Atlanta PD homicide detective Michael Ormewood (Jake McLaughlin), spiralled after she confronted her childhood abuser.
The 10-part new season picks up from the unsettled ending. Will reaches out to his uncle Antonio Miranda (John Ortiz). Angie is desperate to get cleared to return to duty.
Michael learns that his wife had been having an affair and is then faced with the prospect of being a single dad to his two kids when she checks into a mental health clinic.
Faith is all loved-up in a new relationship, which she tries to keep on the down-low. Also, her partnership with Will has grown stronger.
True to the strength of the first season, the cases in the new season are complex. More so, when Will loses someone he was starting to like.
And Amanda finds herself in the hot seat when a case from her past comes back to haunt her
The personal and professional lives of the characters collide with emotions running rampant.
As far as protagonists go, Rodríguez is not just easy on the eye, his confidence and blind loyalty elevate his appeal.
Sohn also delivers a powerhouse performance as a no-nonsense department head. She underpins the tough exterior with a discreet nurturing side.
Christensen, Richardson and McLaughlin bolster the show’s appeal in their supporting roles by bringing a different dynamic to the story arcs as each of them works through personal struggles while trying to do their job.
Overall, this is a great watch for whodunit fans.
∎ “Will Trent 2” is streaming on Disney+.
