Procedural shows have always been big hits, and NCIS is no exception. The original show began in 2003, and it’s only grown from there. But CBS’ perennial crowd-pleaser is far from the only popular police procedural. Fans of the genre can also enjoy the many sides of the Law & Order franchise. There’s also a new kid on the block: Will Trent. By definition, the ABC series is another procedural. It’s a twisting tale of criminal intrigue and danger, with each episode delivering high-adrenaline stunts and heart-pounding thrills.
Considering the genre, these facts aren’t surprising. On the surface, Will Trent is just one of many modern attempts to cash in on one of the most established television genres. But there’s more to Will Trent than one might initially assume. It’s not just another run-of-the-mill “crime-of-the-day” slog. There’s plenty of heart and character-driven drama lurking beneath this series’ moody noir aesthetic. NCIS fans will also be pleased to learn the show has just three seasons, so it’s easy to catch up on all the drama.
Unsurprisingly, the show’s focus is the titular detective Will Trent (Rámon Rodríguez). The foster-child-turned-detective is a grizzled but lovable member of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. His unparalleled observational skills let him reconstruct crime scenes with ease, while his affable affectations give him an understated charismatic appeal. His new partner, meanwhile, is Faith Mitchell (Iantha Richardson). Though a capable detective in her own right, Mitchell has an understandable grudge against Trent.
The esteemed detective’s fairly recent breakthrough on a corruption case against the Atlanta Police Department levied some harsh accusations against her father. What follows may be fairly standard fare for long-time procedural fans, but Trent’s quiet optimism gives the show a refreshing sense of joy and charm. His unwavering sense of justice comes from his harsh upbringing in the Georgia foster care system. That same background also introduced him to his on-and-off-again partner, APD Detective Angela Polaski (Erika Christensen).
On paper, it sounds trite. It’s hard to explain how captivating Will Trent’s cast truly is. There’s an inimitable chemistry that effortlessly carries the show’s twists and turns. It’s a feeling also present on NCIS, a show known for its lovable characters. In fact, the titular Trent is easy to compare to NICS’ Nicholas Torres (Wilmer Valderrama). Both have a contagious sense of barely hidden joviality and a natural aptitude for undercover work.
They offer witty quips and keen observations in equal measure. They even share similar tragic and lonely backgrounds. Like most modern procedurals, Will Trent is a story-driven series. While it certainly has its one-off “criminal of the week” tales, everything eventually converges on a single point. These overarching stories aren’t brought up in every episode, but they form each season’s underlying narrative. Admittedly, most of the overlapping perks of Will Trent can be tied to its genre.
Characters aside, it never really breaks that old-fashioned procedural drama mold. There’s always a criminal, a case, and a mystery. There are some curveball additions and modern updates, but the series understands and respects its narrative niche. That said, it has a refreshing sense of playfulness behind its otherwise dark stories. Consider, for example, a simple question: How many grizzled detectives are there who have and adore a cute chihuahua?
Will Trent received the renewal for its fourth season on April 3, 2025.
And, again, the character-driven procedural is nothing new. It’s not even limited to the genre’s popular police-centric subcategory. Shows like 9-1-1, House, and Perry Mason extend the concept into other vocational settings. There’s something special about Will Trent. The interplay between its noir sensibilities and narrative optimism is certainly one of its perks. Its characters also have a big part to play in its appeal.
Yes, everyone fits an archetype. Will is the hard-boiled detective. Faith is the dutiful but hesitant sidekick. There’s even a wishy-washy love interest to keep things spicy. These characters — their core identities and roles — are neither new nor particularly innovative. Had Will Trent simply left them as hollow shells, the show would’ve failed. Fortunately, the writers did the opposite. They give them fully realized lives and unique interests.
Will Trent’s characters have rich, fulfilling lives beyond their office walls. When work is through, everyone goes home. It’s a seemingly tiny detail, but it makes a world of difference. These private, intimate moments give audiences time to better understand the show’s cast. Some may consider these moments irrelevant, but they’re invaluable narrative insights. Each quirky domestic spiff is a glimpse into a character’s life, and these endearing snapshots further cement the cast’s appeal.
Notably, many of these characterization choices are carried over from the show’s source material. While most audiences have met the titular detective through ABC’s nighttime broadcasts, he first appeared in Karin Slaughter’s novels. These tales informed the show’s general “vibe,” but they’re not perfect analogs. Some fans of the novels have even complained that the ABC adaptation is too loose.
Will Trent is not a perfect carbon copy of NCIS, and that’s what makes it special. It has many of the same narrative philosophies. It’s a character-driven drama with a cast of unbelievably lovable characters. Even at their worst, it’s hard to hate any of Trent’s crime-busting crew. Perhaps more importantly, there’s more than surface-level collective appeal; everyone on Trent’s team has their endearing quirks.
