Will Trenthas been one of the most well-received new procedurals in ABC’s last few years of premieres, but this underrated dynamic makes it the network’s best procedural, hands down. WhileWill Trentseason 3leaned into a different side of the cast’s dynamics after Will Trent (Ramon Rodriguez) and Angie Polaski (Erika Christensen) ended their relationship, it defied expectations.
ThroughoutWill Trent’srun on ABC, viewers have been watching the cast build a rapport with one another that has translated into their off-screen content. While the ensemble isn’t as notoriously online as others, when they do share, it’s clear they enjoy working together.Their on-screen personas benefit from the foundation of camaraderiethey’ve been able to develop during downtime.
AsWill Trentseason 3 came to a close, the stories became increasingly complicated. With Amanda Wagner (Sonja Sohn) and Michael Ormewood’s (Jake McLaughlin) lives hanging in the balance, Angie’s priorities shifting, andWill’s introduction to his birth father, the show’s tackling a ton of material. Thankfully,Will Trenthas built a specific dynamicto support so many intertwining storylines.
Will Trent’s Twist On Found Family Is Refreshing
The Ensemble Works Well In Full & In Pieces
Procedurals typically rely on the found family trope to bring their ensemble together, with colleagues feeling more like family than friends every season. While some shows have been able to capturea genuine sense of found familythat tugs on the heartstrings, others have a hard time following through with the close-knit relationships. Impressively,Will Trentstrikes the perfect balance.
While he is typically the central figure of each episode,Will’s relationships with his colleagues are never one-note or flat, nor do they feel like the only dynamics on the show.Each character inWill Trentfeels thoroughly three-dimensional, which paints their relationships with one another in different lights that shift as the series' narrative weaves through their intense bonds.
Will and Angie’s relationship, for example, has directly impacted the way others feel about them.Ormewood and Will’s relationship has been more difficult at timeswhen the former has been closer to his partner, Angie. Faith Mitchell (Iantha Richardson), Will’s partner,has had a complex connection with Angieas well, due to her close-but-tough relationship with Will through the years.
Will’s Relationships With His Colleagues Are Consistently Messy
His Presence Isn’t Always Welcome Or Positive
Although the found family trope is consistent throughoutWill Trent, the scenes between the ensemble aren’t typically clean-cut. Procedurals often fall into the trap of ensemble scenes feeling kitschy or surface, butWill Trentuses their complexstories to their advantage. The richness of each character’s personality comes through in their larger scenes, when the cast is working together.
ThroughoutWill Trentseason 3,Will and Angie’s contentious relationshipwas a point of tension between them that bled through to other characters in larger moments. The palpable discomfort between Angie and Will as they saw each other for the first time after their breakup with their partners clashed perfectly with the comedic tension of Faith and Ormewood’s presence, leading them all to tap into different emotions.
While the cast works together well regardless of whether the scenes they’re playing are comedic or dramatic, the depth of their characters is always tangible no matter the circumstances.Seeing theWill Trentcastembrace the mess of their found family makes it all feel more lived-in, realistic, and interesting for viewers. Rather than cookie-cutter moments,Will Trentstrives for realism.
Will Trent’s Cast’s Ensemble Work Is The Best On ABC
The Cast Has Incredible Chemistry
With a rich dynamic that plays at different emotions at every moment,Will Trent’sensemble work is often the beston TV. While other procedurals do well in the same area, the complex characterization and ability to work through major storylines with practiced easeleaveWill Trentahead of the pack when it comes to their ensemble.
Through the years,the show has taken care to develop relationships between the characters that feel tangible, messy, and supportiveall at once. Now, with years under their belt and tough stories to tackle,Will Trentseason 4 will surely rely on their cast’s dynamic abilities to work together, apart, and every way in between to deliver another dynamic story.
