Movies

How ‘Will Trent’ star Ramón Rodriguez became an industry game-changer

BBG News

ABC’s “Will Trent” is no ordinary police procedural.

Ramón Rodriguez, who plays the lead character, Will Trent, commented on the many cop shows around: ‘What sets this one apart?’

The television show, available on both broadcast and Hulu, focuses on special agent Trent – a stylish detective with an uncanny knack for solving crimes that makes him indispensable to the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. However, beneath his well-tailored suit lies a deeper, more intricate personality. Trent struggles with the emotional aftermath of being left at birth and growing up in Atlanta’s foster care system. Additionally, he is diagnosed as dyslexic.

When Rodriguez, aged 45, joined the show, one intriguing aspect for him was discovering the origin of his character. Initially, Trent was portrayed as a rather dull and uncolored individual.

Originally hailing from San Juan, Puerto Rico, Rodriguez recently greeted me over a Zoom call, residing now in Southern California. Donning a New York Knicks cap, he previously starred as the primary Hispanic character on HBO’s “The Wire,” and has featured in movies like the 2009 release “Transformers: Revenge of the Fallen” and the suspenseful film “G20,” which premiered on April 10 on Amazon Prime Video, also starring Viola Davis.

Ever since “Will Trent” graced our screens in 2023, I’ve been captivated by the way Rodriguez has breathed life into this character. He’s a tough-as-nails detective, but there’s a softness to him that truly shines through, especially when he’s with his little Chihuahua, Betty. Inspired by Karin Slaughter’s acclaimed novel series “Will Tent,” the showrunners, Liz Heldens and Daniel Thomsen, have masterfully crafted Rodriguez’s role to resonate with his real-life Puerto Rican heritage. This is a significant step forward for Latino representation in an industry often lacking in programming led by Latinos.

When enthusiasm, innovation, and motivation wane, I believe one might stop giving their best,” Rodriguez explained. “However, that’s not an approach I find appealing, and I’m confident my colleagues share the same sentiment.

Apart from his on-screen appearances, Rodriguez has ventured behind the camera too. He recently directed the first episode of Season 3 titled “I’m a Guest Here,” which was completed earlier this month; he also assumed the role of an executive producer. Rodriguez expressed his enthusiasm about being involved in the creative process, saying, “I truly wanted to contribute to the artistic development of this character within this series.

When Season 3 revealed that Trent’s biological father was not who we thought, it set the stage for a suspenseful Season 4, and earlier this year, its return was officially announced.

This interview has been edited and shortened for clarity. It also reveals Season 3 spoilers.

In the books, the character Will Trent doesn’t have Puerto Rican heritage, yet this series seems to touch upon and explore your personal Puerto Rican background. Could you share your feelings about that?

The subject they wished to delve into was: Where did Will originate, having grown up as an orphan within the foster care system? Identity often takes center stage for individuals like him. Interestingly enough, his ethnicity – being Puerto Rican – isn’t mentioned in the books, which adds a touch of intrigue. We can distinguish between the books and what we’re creating here, understanding that the novels remain as they are.

We weren’t simply ticking a box by establishing Will’s heritage as Puerto Rican; instead, it was a genuine exploration of the character’s identity discovery process.

When you were cast for the lead, did you ever picture the show as what it is today?

In this line of work, you never truly predict success or its reasons. There are numerous factors beyond your control. However, one aspect I can manage is my dedication and contributions to my work. This is the first time I’ve been part of a series that has lasted as long as it has from the very first episode.

If you had inquired about the likelihood of this show exceeding one season, I likely would have expressed doubt. My response isn’t a reflection on the show itself, but rather an acknowledgment of uncertainty at first. However, I’m truly thankful for their patience in our discussions and for giving me the opportunity to join them as a partner – something that was crucial to me.

Why is it crucial to maintain a balanced portrayal of character identity in this investigative series, as it seems the storyline does not heavily rely on these aspects?

Another appealing aspect of the show is its focus on resolving cases. I believe audiences are particularly drawn to the emotional and personal stories, such as someone’s struggles and triumphs.

In Season 3, there’s a crucial scene where Will unintentionally shoots a villain, but tragically ends up killing an innocent child instead. This incident profoundly impacted the rest of the season, as he struggled immensely to cope with the boy’s death in his arms. This event took place in Episode 11 and is expected to carry over into Season 4.

In Season 3, Betty also excels. For the very first time, we get to listen to her bark, an occurrence during an entertaining hallucination sequence. Can you share your experience while filming that episode?

In the subsequent two episodes following the heartrending incident I’ve detailed, we aimed to infuse a balance of lightness and comedy with our intense dramatic and emotionally charged content, isn’t that intriguing?

As Will stepped into the case centered around a cult, he found himself unknowingly exposed and subsequently drugged. Our showrunner Liz Heldens had long been eager to incorporate me into the show’s dance scenes, but I protested, stating that Will Trent is not the type to break out in dance. She countered with, “What if it’s a hallucination?” I replied, “That’s genius!” Since he’s under the influence, anything could occur during his trip.

During a walk on the filming location, one of our assistants, Tim, suggested an idea after reading the script: “How about Betty speaks?” I passed this thought along to Liz, who expanded upon it: “Why not make Betty British?

You made your directorial debut in Season 3. How was that experience for you?

By Season 3, I found myself deeply immersed in my character, discovering the heart and soul of our show. In certain scenes, I was able to let loose and truly embody my character – Will had grown his beard, swapped his GBI suit for a casual T-shirt, jeans, and sported curly hair. It felt like slipping into a comfortable pair of old shoes.

It was equally enjoyable guiding fresh actors onto the set. We brought in Gina Rodriguez, playing Marion Alba, and Antwayn Hopper as Rafel Wexford. That part was a blast! I’d often say, “No changes needed.” [Laughs.]

Will you be directing in Season 4?

As a film enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that I’ll undoubtedly step into the director’s chair for at least one episode in the upcoming season. It feels quite intuitive for me to take on directing duties for the premiere, given my previous experience. There’s something invigorating about shouldering the responsibility of setting the tone for an entire season – it’s a challenge I relish!

What can audiences expect for the upcoming season?

As a die-hard fan, I’m eagerly diving into some deep discussions! The Season 3 finale left us hanging with some heavy hooks: Angie Polaski (Erika Christensen) is pregnant, but it’s not Will’s baby. That’s definitely going to be an intriguing plotline to unravel. Amanda Wagner (Sonja Sohn), who plays a significant maternal role in Will’s life, was hospitalized. We recently learned that Will’s dad is Sheriff Caleb Roussard, and I can’t wait to learn more about this character and his history with the mother. There are so many unanswered questions, like whether there’s a new love interest for Will in the picture.

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2025-06-03 03:01

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