Will Trent (2023– ) User Reviews

Atmospheric Procedural With Strong Characters

[atlasmb · 8/10 · 26 January 2023]

Will Trent (Ramon Rodriguez) is an investigator for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. He is called in on difficult or high-profile cases. Often he has to work with the Atlanta Police Department, but few of his associates like him. One reason is he's an odd duck, different from other people. And his social skills are suspect.

Still, he has a few friends. Like Betty, the homeless dog he took in. And undercover agent Angie (Erika Christensen), with whom he shares a dark history.

The tone of this drama is often noir-ish, but it never gets too dark. And the incidental music helps with its stylish atmosphere.

Trent is dyslexic, but he can read a crime scene like no one else. He carries scars and demons as a result of his checkered history, but he copes. When he is assigned a partner, Faith (Ianatha Richardson) of the APD, they have to learn to cooperate and overcome their personality differences.

This police procedural is very engaging, because of both the acting and the storylines. All of the main players are fun to watch. The writing can be fast-moving, but the stories are never dull. I am hoping the series can keep its edge while simultaneously developing the main characters.

Impressively entertaining

[yooniverse · 8/10 · 11 January 2023]

I've generally given up on network TV shows due to their mostly low rent writing and production values. I assumed Will Trent would be a typical cop procedural, since I'm not familiar with the books. What I found was a show that is quirky, humorous, with decent action and generally well written screenplay, with a cast of very likable actors and characters. The show creators have some good pedigree, as well.

The two part premiere was excellent. The pilot episode was a little chaotic but only very briefly, as anyone would expect from a new show. By the second, it felt smooth and the pacing is great. Erika Christensen, whom I haven't seen on screen in a long time, is surprisingly good here. And maybe Sonja Sohn reminds me of The Wire, but she's like an old shoe that fits well on a cop show like this.

Only time will tell if they can keep it interesting and stay with the source material, but this has been entertaining so far.

Awesomeness

[danchak-45698 · 9/10 · 26 February 2024]

Great show. Most of the actors look nothing like the characters from the books, but their performances make this irrelevant. The chemistry is near-perfect and there are moments that happen that aren't in the books that add to the overall legend that are the Karin Slaughter world.

Sonja Sohn stands out for me. Her performance is like she jumped straight from the pages of the books.

Ramon Rodriguez is far shorter than Will is in the book but like Tom Cruise in the first Jack Reacher movie, he brings the character to life.

This is live action fan fiction, like all books to film, and it's worth the watch.

Definitely recommend the show, but I highly recommend Karin's books. Start with the Grant County series, then the Will Trent and then devour her standalone novels.

There's a reason she's in my top 5 author list.

More, More, More! Please!

[mgitts1977 · 8/10 · 11 January 2023]

I cannot get enough of this show! I love the characters, the dialogue, the humor and I especially love that the characters are so beautifully, and interestingly flawed! All the feels when watching this, because you can identify with the characters on the show!

It's smart, funny, touching, and even suspenseful at brief moments. The music alone in certain scenes is its own character in the show.

There are very few TV shows that leave you wanting so much more. I hope it never loses it's momentum and that special something that continuously draws you in. Hate having to wait a week for the next episode, but I e realized that it is so worth it!

A good start, we'll see where it goes.

[Avidviewer-02847 · 8/10 · 10 January 2023]

This is from the pilot only. I've never read any of the Karin Slaughter books, so I'm new to Will Trent. Screenwriters love conflict and Will Trent seems to be in conflict with almost everyone: his boss, cops in APD, the father of latest victim, his new partner and of course GBI taking over an APD crime scene. Good writing is knowing when to tone back the conflict. The steady banter is de rigueur in many cop shows, some of it's funny.

Will is a Sherlockian type character, he sees connections in events and crime scenes differently than most people. As Faith said, he read that crime scene like a book, which is why Will's boss dragged him there. Maybe his dyslexia and introverted personality help him in some way.

The series hasn't figured out if it's a comedy or a drama, hopefully the two don't collide as we move through episodes. I liked the cast from Ramon Rodriguez to Betty. The animal shelter scene was very funny, Betty is a scene stealer. Others are Sonja Sohn, Danny Burstein, Mark-Paul Gosselaar...

Surprisingly fresh

[Clairepcb · 8/10 · 27 January 2023]

I didn't read the books so I don't have any expectations. I never watch shows on network television EVER but I like the main actor and I just thought I'd try it. I'm usually bored in 15 minutes. I have to say it's a fresh take on a typical show subject. I think the casting was well done. I like the main characters and I really think the back story ads so much. I love the dog interaction and I actually like that it's clean but not unrealistically so. I'm usually watching some like DEXTER, so again I'm surprised. The writing is pretty good including the script. There is a wit to it that is well delivered by the cast. I'm on episode three so let's hope it keeps my interest. P.s. I love the dog side kick.

A pleasant surprise!

[npvarley · 8/10 · 21 February 2023]

Finding a police procedural that offers something different from the usual is not easy. The I happened across Will Trent and watched the first couple of episodes and haven't stopped watching every week.

I haven't read the books, so know nothing about the character, other than what I have seen in the TV show.

I think Ramon Rodriguez plays the part pretty well and does show the social awkwardness the Slaughter character apparently suffered from in the books. That character interaction is good, too.

It well shot, too, for a network TV show

The storylines are interesting and the GBI is something different from cop shows set in NY or LA.

So I recommend this show to anyone looking for something a bit more quirky than the average police procedural.

Expect the Unexpected

[A_Different_Drummer · 7/10 · 4 January 2023]

A very popular channel on YT features an "expert" who provides advice on how to handle difficult social situations. One of his most popular videos explains how to make friends quickly. Make a joke, he says. And one of the easiest ways to make a joke is to say the exact opposite of what people expect. If you understand that, then you understand WILL TRENT. The writers here are constantly pushing the envelope, doing the opposite of what you'd expect, and hoping to make friends quickly. With the audience. In the opener, a housewife is on her cell having an argument with her husband. Wait, she says, as she approaches her busted-in front door, someone has broken into our house. Don't go in!, says hubby, I will call 911. Instead, she busts in like Rambo, finds her daughter on the floor dead, and then wrestles a knife from the presumed killer, almost dying herself in the process. The opposite of what you would expect. This is a show that tries super hard to entertain you. And mostly succeeds. ((Designated "IMDb Top Reviewer." Please check out my list "167+ Nearly-Perfect Movies (with the occasional Anime or TV miniseries) you can/should see again and again (1932 to the present))

A procedural wrapped in a character study.

[thisguyjones · 10/10 · 15 February 2023]

So apparently this is based on a book. And judging by the comments, they imagine the book to be different than the show and fault the show for it. Well guess what, they are different things. While the show may differ from the book, I don't really care. The show is excellent. It's one part procedural, that follows a case of the week, but there are human elements that serve as thru lines from week to week. Will is set up to be a partial savant, but he's got flaws. He's not perfect. He's damaged, as are most people in reality. He is portrayed not as a genius, but someone who is really good at parts of their job, but less so at other parts. He's not infallible, he sometimes needs help and that is where the rest of the cast comes in. Week to week they work on cases, helping each other and working a way forward. Everyone contributes and are allowed to be full characters. The stories are told with humor and heart. Highly recommended, I hope it lasts.

Not like the books!!!

[Katillac77 · 6 January 2023]

At this point the show is cute I'm enjoying it. I have to remind myself that books are for book readers and TV shows are for those who watch... not necessarily the same

The main similarity between this and the books are the names of the characters. I'm only in the 1st episode and we're just getting to know all about everyone. It's a little confusing and sometimes hard to reconcile, What I see and what I already feel like I know about the characters. The author has already signed off on all of this so I will trust her judgment and keep watching. I look forward to seeing how these things turn out and the character development. .

It's all about Betty

[Momaqns · 6/10 · 9 February 2023]

This began as an "oh well, I'll give it a try." I never heard of the books so I had no preconceived expectations. Ramon Rodriguez does a fine acting job but he needs serious work on his Southern accent. Sometimes it comes across as a bad Southern accent, then a whisper of his Puerto Rican background slips through and the rest of the time it's just a Standard American accent with has no regional trace. The rest of the cast is OK. The real star is Betty. Chihuahuas are my least favorite breed of dog but the "actor" playing Betty is real star. Irresistibly cute, I'm a fan. Betty deserves a show of her own.

So far looks good

[macjay-58312 · 8/10 · 4 January 2023]

The pilot episode was decent. As for just staring the will Trent series in the books I find it hard with adaptations. Will Trent should be 6 3 and large strong physical presence. The lead is good pick as I find he is mimicking the character well so far. As for Amanda the choice was perfect. When pictured in the novels I always saw a strong black female presence it is probably one of the best adaptations I have seen done. Now with faith that one is hard to see and deal with. The character is to me not appealing. This one I'm hoping it will improve but time will tell. If you read the books at first there is some hesitation towards this tv adaptation. If your just learning of this show it is appealing and something we have seen before but I have hopes it will lead to more.

Knowing Karin slaughter is the executive producer I'm sure she blessed all this current PC adaptations so I put my trust in her views as to where this will lead.

Can't wait for the next episode!!!

Mehhh...

[colinrogers1 · 6/10 · 12 January 2023]

I've not read the books, unlike a lot of other reviewers. I have seen a myriad of these shows that last one possibly two series before ending up on the dump of book to screen TV. The first 15 minutes of the pilot was really good. Loner against the crowd, intelligent to a point of autism. Good script and great interactions. Then it pulled back, broadened the focus to sub plots and gave him a love interest and a hostile partner. The latter has a good feel about the developing relationship arc. The former feels very weak and counter to the feel of the character of Will. It's good that the stories continue over episodes not all neatly solved. It has a grip but drowned in too many detectives working on their own. No consistency at all. Strong characters don't all have to be strong people. This just spiralled quickly and became incoherent. Hoping it gets better as it has real potential for a change.

What happened to Will Trent....

[ginmuname · 1/10 · 11 January 2023]

You know, the guy from the novels? I was so excited when I heard the Will Trent character was coming to the small screen. *sigh* Maybe some day Amazon Prime will take it over and fix it like they did "Jack Reacher". Did Karin sign off on the changes made on her favorite GBI agent? It appears as if ABC took a perfectly post-modern antihero and turn him in the cookie cutter cop/fed/agent that already dominates network television. The way too self assured and snappy come backs are the antithesis of the Will Trent of the novels. If anyone really wants to the get the "real Will Trent" they should read "Fractured"...better still start from Book 1.

LOVE this new series!

[ravenhair702 · 9/10 · 11 January 2023]

I saw this new series advertise on ABC as one of its new series and immediately wanted to check it out. I just get a feeling when I see a new series...like I did when the series Castle came out. Thank God it's steaming on Hulu because I work all day Tuesday when it comes on. I like all the characters in the show, I like that the lead character has a learning disorder and does his job better than anyone else in spite of it. His partner obviously hates him for the investigation of her mother that ended her career but is forced to work with him at the request of her captain. His on and off again relationship with his female homicide officer he grew up with in foster care is interesting and to sum up, the whole thing here just works. I see this series going for a long time and I'm grateful to the people who brought this to life on ABC. Peace.

Something to look forward to again!!!!

[nguyenlexi · 10/10 · 27 March 2024]

Found Will Trent by accident as I was looking for something to watch outside of my regular shows that are on seasonal break. I was hooked after the first episode, and the next thing I knew, I was binged watching the first season all within 24 hours.

One of the main reasons I enjoy the show is the casting crew did a solid job in finding the good actors for their roles. I considered this cast consists of actors. Often times, TV actors aren't believable as for whatever reasons, their characters are overshadowed by the desire to look good, rather than to act well. This cast is about actors bringing their characters to the screen. Because of their acting skills, they got my attention. Next, the formula for the show is well-thought out. The storyline is not unrealistic and there is a sense of fairness in presenting subject matter. For example, not all law enforcement officers are bad, not every child experienced bad adults, not all addicts stay addicted, adulterers are held accountable for their action..... In my humble opinion, the world has changed from when I was younger, I used to watch TV shows with my parents and siblings.... Not everything is about sex or violence. This show resonates with me as it highlights humanity. Working on being better as individual and being present in whatever relationship each character is in. Another reason why I LOVE this show is it is not all drama, there is some humor. The witty exchanges. Thank you writers!!!!

I read other reviews for low mark due to various reasons but not limited to character depiction varied from the book series. I do understand the reviewers' sentiments. However, I am glad to see the TV Will as portrayed by Ramón Rodríguez. I think it is time TV showcases someone who is nerdy or weird, and carry quite a load in his mind, yet he can fight and didn't lose himself to the crappiness life has dealt him. I hope all the characters in this show continue to grow and bring forth growth and wisdom as they aged. Thank you for the opportunity to share my thoughts.

Good but some weird choices

[NaniDaisy26 · 8/10 · 3 February 2023]

I'm really enjoying the storylines and, for the most part, the acting. The characters are pretty interesting but I'm hoping they prove to be more dynamic as the show progresses. What's weird is that Will Trent is the only character with a Georgian accent. Why are none of the other actors even attempting it? Erika Christensen sounds like a New Yorker, yet their characters supposedly grew up together. Ditto, Paul Camparo, completely accent-less. Also, Trent's dyslexia is so severe, I don't understand how he could possibly get to this point in his career without people noticing. This makes no sense.

Great Show With an Appealing Cast

[sheridaglover · 9/10 · 8 March 2024]

I haven't read the books but I really like this show. The main character is dyslexic and (possibly) on the spectrum. He didn't get enough care and positive attention as he grew up in an unforgiving foster system, so he nurtures everyone who will let him.

As the series has progressed, we see glimpses of both the past that shaped him and insights into the supporting players. The supporting characters don't all start being people you would like but as the series progresses, you get to understand them and appreciate their individual quirks.

The series has a great self-contained mystery every episode plus several great long running plot lines that are developing slowly and with great detail. You can pick it up as a new viewer and enjoy it, and you'll probably want to go back.and check out the whole thing from the beginning.

As for the people who insist on comparing the show to the book, enjoy both versions and don't get so precious about the differences in the series and the books. The series is good, and when I read the books, I think I'll enjoy them too.

Poor casting review #46,233

[michele3115 · 23 March 2023]

As many other reader/viewers have noted the casting of Will Trent is HORRIBLE and Will's quirks are a big part of what makes the stories so interesting. Aside from Ramon Rodriguez's looks, which are the complete opposite of the character in the books, Will Trent is fastidious to the point of being anal. He would never have stubble on his cheeks unless he'd been held hostage for days on end. He would never wear a loose dress shirt collar barely tucked under his suit coat lapels or have such a poorly tied necktie. The southern accent that comes and goes just makes him seem ridiculous. As other reader/viewers have noted, he captures none of the social awkwardness of people on the autistic spectrum, which I think Will definitely is. The flirting and sexy smiles at Angie were completely out of character. She was the one always coming on to him, not the other way around. And he would never have admitted to one of his co-workers that he loved Angie.

A pleasant surprise

[cathysparta · 7/10 · 13 January 2023]

When I saw the advertisement on Hulu for this, I was instantly interested because of the Chihuahua, I will watch anything with dogs. Then I saw that it was based on a Karin slaughter series and I am not a fan of her books at all so I was very concerned. I always get the feeling when reading her books that she wants them to be some factual dark thriller and they always just miss the mark. I have never read her Will Trent series however, so I can't say if they are like the rest of her books . So I tried the first two episodes to give it a try and enjoyed them, it's light hearted and each episode was a mystery that needs to be solved. Its Not a serious procedural show, just an easy mystery, very similar to some British shows like Agatha Raisin. It's only two episodes in so that's not too much to go on, but so far so good.

Don't expect this to be anything like the books

[ztempler · 10/10 · 8 October 2023]

Although I hadn't read the Will Trent series, I had read a few books by Karin Slaughter before watching the series and so it was immediately apparent that this was not going to be true to the books. I loved this series, the Will Trent character is charming, the stories engaging and the villains unlikeable enough without totally pissing you off. I liked it so much, I decided to start on the book series. Well!! As most of the critical reviews here have pointed out, the TV version veers so far from the books it's barely recognisable as the same series. A lot of the time the only similarities are the names and roles of the characters, although sometimes even that is changed (for ex Michael Ormewood). Betty the Chihuahua remains, Will is still dyslexic, a few crime plots are the same. But otherwise two completely different beasts. And that's the way I look at them. I enjoyed the show and look forward to season two. And I'm loving the books, up to #6 in series now. For anyone who hasn't read the books, I love that they are not as gritty as some of Slaughter's other books (and was there ever a better name for a writer of crime fiction?) and contains some moments of charm and pathos as in the TV version.

Different character from the books but enjoyable

[guyjohnsontheauthor · 7/10 · 12 April 2023]

I started watching as I absolutely love the books and couldn't wait to see how Will, Angie and Sara (eventually?) would play out in the flesh.

And I'll be honest - I was v disappointed initially because the choice of lead looks nothing like the Will in the books (he's not tall enough, to start with). Also, the characters of Will and Angie are completely different - Angie is very likeable and Will is a totally rounded individual who has no emotional hang ups at all.

However.... Once I accepted this, I was able to enjoy it as a light-hearted tv crime show. There's also a lot of humour which I do t recall in the books - but it works.

Excellent Series

[momoperatorfriend · 10/10 · 24 February 2024]

Great storyline and great acting especially Ramon Rodriguez he plays an amazing part. Each episode keeps you interested until the end. The character Will Trent is amazingly intelligent and vulnerable. He is kind and has adopted a sweet little chihuahua dog Betty and this adds to the weekly episodes. The other character actors also do an amazing job. Will Trent works for of the Georgia Bureau of Investigations. His history as a child in foster care forced him to endure a difficult loveless childhood. The character Will Trent makes a difference in peoples lives each episode. He has a unique talent to analyze a crime scene and find the guilty parties because of his point of abandonment issues as a child in the foster care system.

Started well. Season 2 episode 5 and 6 fell off the rails.

[kellywcarlin · 6/10 · 11 April 2024]

I have not read any of the books. Will take them up now. They have to be good. I watch on Hulu and binge watched season 1 and looked forward to the start of season 2. Season 1 was good considering it is on one of the big 3 networks. It basically sets up all the characters and provides the back story to Will Trent.

Season 2 started okay, but has fell off the rails at episode 5 and 6. The writing is going bad just like Big Sky did. The character interaction is forced comedic and does not fit the flow and dynamics from season 1. I may have to abandon and switch to the books so that Will Trent is not ruined for me. ABC, you are ruining another series. Thanks to the previous reviews that speak highly of the books for giving me more to read. I hope they live up to the hype as I really like the introduction to Will Trent.

Depending on how long I can stand to watch and direction the writing goes my rating may change. Season 1 was a 7. Season 2 so far is a 5.

What happened?

[kimmy-45246 · 3/10 · 26 January 2023]

Huge fan of the books, read all of Trent series and her other books as well. The episodes don't make sense. I listen to the books which are no less than 12+ hours. They cram the whole book or at least most of it into a 1 hour episode? It doesn't work. Netflix did a better job with the pieces of her series taking multiple episodes for the 1 book. Don't even get me started on the casting. The books delve into the white people and how they have viewed the treatment of black people. The characters in the tv show that a playing those characters are black so how is that going to work? And Angie? What the hell? She's a horrible person who has few redeeming qualities even though she tries to help people. She is most horrible to will and they have her as someone who has wills best interest at heart? I really want to like the show but they are making it near impossible.