ABC’s crime drama Will Trent returns for its fourth season on Tuesday, January 6, with the creative team signalling a noticeable shift in tone as the series digs deeper into its characters’ emotional lives while maintaining its trademark mix of suspense and humour.
According to executive producer Liz Heldens, the new season will explore what happens when Will Trent himself begins to lose some of his carefully maintained composure. Played by Ramón Rodríguez, Will will find himself “coming a little bit undone,” a journey that unfolds through both dramatic and unexpectedly funny moments.
The showrunners emphasize that the balance of emotional weight, high-stakes cases, and levity remains central to the series’ identity.
Season 4 will also address several unresolved storylines from last year’s finale. GBI boss Amanda Wagner, portrayed by Sonja Sohn, will survive the shooting that left her critically injured, but executive producer Daniel T. Thomsen notes that the aftermath will visibly alter her life and leadership.
For a character long defined by control and authority, recovery will force Amanda to confront vulnerability while facing new professional threats from those eager to replace her.
Elsewhere, the physical and emotional toll of police work continues to ripple through the ensemble. Detective Michael Ormewood’s struggle with a brain tumour will challenge his sense of masculinity and identity, while Angie Polaski navigates pregnancy alongside the demands of her job. Co-showrunner Karine Rosenthal describes Angie’s arc as one of unexpected growth, as she steps into a future she never imagined for herself.
Fans can also expect more spotlight moments for supporting characters. Betty, Will’s beloved chihuahua, is set to have what the producers describe as her biggest moment yet, offering a glimpse into the dog’s “inner life” and reinforcing her role as the emotional anchor of the series.
Faith Mitchell will be drawn into a major romantic storyline tied directly to a case, while Franklin, played by Kevin Daniels, assumes a larger role after being promoted to a series regular.
On a more personal front, Will’s ongoing therapy and complicated relationship with his father will continue to shape the season. The show will delve further into Will’s past, teasing both emotional confrontations and the possibility of flashbacks as he reckons with unresolved anger and disappointment.
While Season 4 will not feature major celebrity cameos at launch, the producers remain open to surprises down the line. Behind the camera, the season also marks a milestone with cast members Iantha Richardson and Ramón Rodríguez stepping into directing roles.
With its blend of character-driven drama, procedural tension, and offbeat humour, Will Trent Season 4 aims to push its characters into unfamiliar emotional territory—while still delivering the sharp storytelling that has defined the series since its debut.
