At a time when network television seems to be dying while streaming is on the rise, Will Trent has defied all odds and earned a 3rd season renewal because it only gets better with time. The ABC procedural crime drama, created by Karin Slaughter, Liz Heldens, and Daniel T. Thomsen, is based on Slaughter’s popular book series of the same name and is set to premiere in January 2023. While most network television series are canceled after their first season, Will Trent has performed relatively well for ABC, leading to a 2nd season renewal before the end of season 1.
The cast of Will Trent includes Ramón Rodríguez as the title character, Erika Christensen as Angie Polaski, Iantha Richardson as Faith Mitchell, Jake McLaughlin as Michael Ormewood, and Sonja Sohn as Amanda Wagner. Of course, the talented actors contributed to the show’s success, but the source material (and its established fan base), thoughtful and complex character development, and compelling cases also helped Will Trent survive (at least) for three seasons. Will Trent stands out from other standard police procedurals, which is why it has improved since season 1 and was renewed for season 3.
Will Trent season 1 was ABC’s number one new drama series in total viewers and Nielsen ratings among adults 18-49 (per Deadline). So, a season 2 renewal is no surprise. However, it seemed unlikely that the show’s viewership and ratings would increase in its second season, as most series decline over time. However, something miraculous happened when Will Trent season 2 was released—its ratings increased by nearly 50 percent (via TV Series Finale).
Will Trent season 2’s day/night ratings were up 46 percent from season 1, a feat that’s nearly unheard of in the modern era of network television. The ABC procedural also saw a seven-day increase, which takes into account DVR recordings and streaming views. Deadline reports that Will Trent season 2, episode 3, amassed 9.02 million views across ABC, Hulu, and other digital platforms, making “You Don’t Have to Understand” the show’s most-watched multiplatform episode ever. As a result, Will Trent is one of ABC’s most-watched shows, behind only Grey’s Anatomy.
