The Will Trent series premiere kicked off with special appearances from Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Jennifer Morrison, with Gosselaar continuing to pop up sporadically throughout the remainder of season 1, but updates on his involvement in season 2 have been disappointing. ABC’s police procedural crime drama centers on a unique agent in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) with many special talents and a traumatic past — Will Trent, played by Ramón Rodríguez. One of those people from the protagonist’s horrific childhood is Gosselaar’s character, Paul Campano.
Gosselaar, best known for his iconic role as Zack Morris on Saved by the Bell, likely won’t be returning as Paul in the cast of Will Trent season 2. In an interview with TVLine, executive producers Daniel Thomsen and Liz Heldens answered questions about whether Gosselaar would appear in any episodes of Will Trent season 2. Unfortunately, it doesn’t seem like Paul’s return is in the works for the second season, as Gosselaar is busy working on his new series — Found on NBC. The producers explained: At first, it seems like Paul, played by Mark-Paul Gosselaar, is an arrogant jerk who happens to be the father of the missing girl Will is trying to find in the Will Trent series premiere. However, as the first episode progresses, it becomes clear that Will and Paul have a complicated past, as they knew each other while growing up in the same group home. However, the two weren’t friends as kids, as Paul bullied Will and made his time in foster care difficult. As a result, Will and Paul didn’t get along as adults (at first).
With Will’s newfound difficulties surrounding the discovery of his parents, it helps that he has Paul to lean on as he deals with things.
Will ends up saving Paul’s daughter, for which he is extremely grateful to the GBI agent. While Paul’s character may seem rude and selfish at first, he is much more complex than that, which will begin to become apparent once they reconnect. Gosselaar reprised the role of Paul for a few more episodes in season 1 to help Will on a case and bond over their shared grief. Sadly, one of the questions hanging over Will Trent season 2 is whether the producers and Gosselaar will be able to work out their schedules to bring the actors back.
Since Will Trent season 2 is only 10 episodes long, it’s understandable why the producers and Mark-Paul Gosselaar couldn’t squeeze his return into that short time. However, Gosselaar’s appearance (whether big or small) would certainly elevate the season. The writers are already setting this batch of episodes up after the shocking end of Will Trent season 2, episode 1, and Paul’s return to the show could make this season even better than it has been so far.
Like Angie Polaski, Paul can relate to Will on a level that most people can’t. Their similar upbringings have led to a complex bond, one of the show’s highlights (especially since the two characters are the very definition of polar opposites). With Will’s newfound struggles surrounding discovering his parents, it’ll be helpful to have Paul to lean on as he deals with it all. But even if Gosselaar doesn’t reprise his role as Paul in season 2, hopefully the cast and producers can make Will Trent a success in season 3 (if ABC renews the series).
