Will Trent Finale SHOCKER: Coma, Collapse, and a NEW Father Revealed—Season 4 Secrets!

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🚨 WARNING: This discussion includes significant plot details from the season 3 finale, “Listening to a Heartbeat,” of the TV show “Will Trent” which will be available for streaming on May 14th via Hulu. Proceed with caution if you don’t want any spoilers!

In the Season 3 finale of their popular ABC crime show “Will Trent”, creators Liz Heldens and Daniel Thomsen aimed to craft a thrilling two-part episode similar to the intensity of “ER”. They intended to place all major characters in peril, and they’ve definitely fulfilled that goal, as the fate of two cherished characters remains uncertain.

On Tuesday, the final episode of the season culminated with the resolution of a citywide bioweapons crisis, masterminded by the homegrown terrorists known as the Founder’s Front. As Will Trent (played by Ramón Rodríguez) and his team at the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Atlanta Police Department struggled against time to control the danger and safeguard hundreds of thousands of lives, Will found himself embroiled in the intricate relationships within his own family, specifically his bond with Caleb Broussard (Yul Vazquez), who was unveiled as his biological father in the previous episode.

Heldens shared that creating an extensive episode filled with multiple events presented an enjoyable test for us. In this adventure, Will found himself struggling against his inherent tendencies, ultimately distancing himself from his cherished family in a precarious situation,” Heldens tells EbMaster.

Following Nico (Cora Lu Tran), Will’s dog sitter, being admitted to the hospital due to illness, Will and Caleb decided to explore the campsite of a deceased homeless man. They uncovered that plastic food containers in the vicinity had been intentionally tainted with Clostridium botulinum, a harmful bacterium targeting the central nervous system. Meanwhile, Ormewood (Jake McLaughlin), Faith (Iantha Richardson) and Franklin (Kevin Daniels) were assigned to transport the initial shipment of CDC-endorsed antitoxin from a storage facility to the hospital. However, a crooked police officer, who was allied with the Founder’s Front, manipulated them into a trap in an area lacking GPS or radio coverage.

In a turn for the worse, the terrorists seized Deputy Director Amanda Wagner (Sonja Sohn) within her own GBI office, holding her hostage and demanding the freedom of a police officer currently in custody in exchange for her safety. Even with the danger posed to Amanda’s life, Will was compelled to depart with Caleb to locate the lab where the bacteria was being dispersed as an aerosol. Fortunately, Angie (Erika Christensen), who had been concealed in the bathroom during the assault, devised a strategy that ultimately resulted in the elimination of the terrorists in their offices — however, she couldn’t act swiftly enough to prevent one of them from firing at Amanda, striking her in the chest.

Simultaneously, Ormewood, Faith, and Franklin managed to fend off a group of Founder’s Front members at the crime scene, receiving assistance from a van filled with young national archery champions. These skilled archers fired flaming arrows towards the enemies. In a critical moment, as it seemed like one final gunman was about to shoot Ormewood point-blank, Will intervened by ramming his car into the terrorist thanks to forcing a lab worker to disclose the location of the ambush, thereby saving the day. The antitoxin was then successfully delivered to hospitals. However, later that night, Ormewood, who had recently been diagnosed with a brain tumor, suffered an unexpected collapse in his kitchen.

Thomsen mentioned that the main hurdle was preserving the beloved emotions from the series without losing them. The goal was to set up various character narratives that would either flourish or falter simultaneously, allowing for a catastrophe while also keeping viewers deeply engaged in each character’s unique journey.

In the run-up to the Season 4 premiere, scheduled for early 2026, Heldens and Thomsen discuss the two suspenseful plot twists: Angie’s pregnancy with Dr. Seth McDale (Scott Foley), its potential impact on her relationship with Will, and their decision to introduce a fresh character as Will’s father instead of a significant one from executive producer Karin Slaughter’s books.

In the final minutes of the finale, Amanda is left in a coma after barely making it through her surgery, with Will pleading with her to wake up, and Ormewood suffers a seizure at the home he shares with Faith. How did you settle on these two cliffhangers?

As a devoted film enthusiast, I found the scene where Will’s father entered his life and his surrogate mother was put in peril to be exceptionally poignant. Being on set during the filming of that hospital sequence left me utterly moved, even at 2:00 in the morning. This was a moment when Will expressed feelings he had never shared with her before, and it’s not often that these characters, who are both so guarded about their emotions, open up to each other. The scene represented a genuine emotional turning point for him – a recognition of her role as a stabilizing force in his life amidst the tumultuous changes he was experiencing. I can only hope that when she recovers, he’ll be able to articulate those feelings to her and she’ll understand the depth of his appreciation.

Regarding Daniel Thomsen’s character, since his significant health issue doesn’t unfold until Episode 14, we aimed to strike a balance in portraying him. On one side, he’s making preparations for his situation. However, on the other side, there’s a hint of denial as he isn’t quite ready yet for the surgery. He’s not prepared for unforeseen complications from the operation. He’s not ready to face the possibility of receiving grim news about the tumor. In simpler terms, he’s hesitant and uncertain about what’s coming next.

We found it quite impactful when he chose to share with his children, a moment I found particularly moving. This scene was cleverly set up by Liz, and it showcased his emotional struggle beautifully. Before facing his kids about his tumor, he paused in another room, listening to them banter and bicker, reflecting on their bond. He whispered to himself, “These are my kids. I adore them so much. They’re a part of me. And now I must alter their world.” This entire scene was quite emotional. However, what makes it intriguing in a dramatic sense is that despite saving the world, he can no longer evade his own destiny. The final blow being symbolized by the sound of clunk.

You introduced Greg Germann as James Ulster, the convicted serial killer who claimed he was Will’s biological father, at the end of Season 1, but you then introduced Sheriff Caleb Broussard as Will’s real biological father in Season 3. Did you always know that you were going to play out a different kind of father-son story than what you had initially presented to viewers? What inspired that change?

Thomsen: Initially, we presented Ulster as our main character, and his narrative closely resembles that of the books. At some stage, it seemed a bit predictable, so we considered other options due to this reason. However, Ulster doesn’t undergo redemption in his storyline. Writing for him alongside Will is always enjoyable, and we’d like him to return to the show. Yet, introducing a new character who shares similarities with him could offer emotional depth that surpasses his return.

As a movie enthusiast, I aimed to depict Caleb as an unconventional law enforcement officer, someone who had unique views on his profession, justice, and responsibilities. However, you’ll notice that they share some striking similarities, which was unexpected. In the beginning, I envisioned their dynamic to be filled with more conflict, but as Yul brought the character to life, I found myself yearning for them to spend more time together on screen. Consequently, our task in the upcoming season is to maintain tension between them without allowing them to become overly affectionate.

Hero: I believe James Ulster may offer an interesting perspective when it comes to Will discovering his real biological dad, which could make for an intriguing narrative for us.

Angie being pregnant with Seth’s baby will certainly throw a wrench in her on-again, off-again relationship with Will, who, despite being thrown for a loop by the news, still agrees to accompany Angie for her first ultrasound. At the same time, becoming a mother could be an opportunity for Angie to heal some of the childhood trauma that she had suffered at the hands of her own late mother. Why did you decide to proceed with this storyline, knowing that it will completely shift Will and Angie’s dynamic forever?

In my opinion, the relationship between Will and Angie is the core essence of our series. They’ve been friends since childhood, and they’re almost telepathic – understanding each other in ways no one else can. In their final scene, when they’re looking at the ultrasound, both have a multitude of emotions coursing through them. During their heartfelt conversation, they seem to be completing each other’s thoughts without uttering full sentences. This is because they don’t need to – they instinctively know what the other is feeling in that moment.

So far, nothing has managed to create a rift between them. Despite his arrest of her at the end of Season 2, they remained silent for quite some time before collaborating on a case together. We hoped that they might lighten the tension with a bit of friendly banter before Angie recalled her anger. I believe their dynamic will always be somewhat strained. We adore writing scenes featuring them; we appreciate their chemistry. We’re unsure where this situation will eventually lead, but having Angie undertake this journey seemed like an engaging storyline for her character, and having Will continue to support her despite his feelings – that awkwardness is something we all find intriguing in real life and aim to capture in our writing, so it felt like a promising direction for us.

Is your writers’ room as divided as the audience when it comes to whom Angie should end up with?

Character A: That’s an interesting query. In our story, life simply unfolds for these characters. They evolve, they don’t remain static. So, it seems people appreciate both their relationships and individual journeys. I believe we all enjoy observing growth and change, as well as the ongoing conflicts. I’m not sure if we’ve ever conducted a poll on this topic, Dan, have we?

Character A: It’s an intriguing question. In our narrative, life progresses for these characters, and they aren’t static. People seem to enjoy their interactions as well as their individual growth. I think it’s because we like witnessing change and conflict among them. I don’t know if we’ve ever polled our audience about this, Dan, have we?

Thomsen isn’t sure they have a history between Will and Angie yet, but he points to an impactful scene in Episode 12 where Angie voices her concerns about sending Will undercover to the cult. Despite past issues and arguments, there remains a strong bond of love between them. The question arises as to whether this could develop into a romantic relationship in the end, although it seems unlikely they would part ways permanently. However, the ultimate form their relationship takes is still uncertain.

Looking ahead, what are you hoping to accomplish with Season 4?

Hero: You’ve found us in the midst of relaxation and seeking inspiration, but we’ve already set certain things into motion. Will is about to experience the reality of having a chosen family, and he’ll learn what it means to handle the family that the universe assigns him. Angie will be accompanying this journey while being pregnant. I can’t wait to see her, with her growing belly [gestures a large belly], embracing her role as a strong, confident woman.

Liz and I are big fans of network television. Since we grew up watching it, we understand what’s expected. We know this is a format where some aspects need to remain consistent to keep viewers engaged, but we enjoy finding ways to introduce change without disrupting the appeal. We’ve been discussing that pivotal scene involving Will and Amanda, especially the things Will could say to Amanda while she was under anesthesia. If this had occurred earlier in Season 1, with Amanda unconscious, I don’t believe Will would have said those things. However, he has evolved significantly, and this moment was timely because we, along with Will, have already witnessed a great deal of change. In Season 4, we aim to push that change even further for all the characters in the show.

Gina Rodriguez’s District Attorney Marion Alba was a welcome addition to the cast, and I found myself genuinely rooting for her and Will before they decided to hit pause on their tender romance. Is the door open for her to return next season?

Hero: We adore her. She’s an exceptional actress and individual. To be honest, I can’t say for sure if this will happen, but the possibility certainly exists. There’s no narrative reason that would prevent her from returning.

As a movie enthusiast, I feel like Will has some things he needs to express to her, and I truly hope we get the chance to witness it. After all, she’s a superstar with a packed schedule.

Sara Linton is a really important character in the “Will Trent” book series, and you have presumably had conversation about whether to introduce that character into your screen adaptation at some point down the line. How are you navigating those creative conversations about what you would like to incorporate from the books into the show and what changes you feel need to be made to serve the story that you want to tell?

Heldens: One factor contributing to our success was choosing Erika Christensen to play Angie. Once you notice the richness and complexity in this character, it becomes challenging not to invest more in her development. Honestly, I can’t say for certain.

Thomsen: It seems our character Angie on the show has taken on traits from both Angie and Sarah in terms of her emotional bond with Will. In the books, Angie is more stern and not as beneficial for Will, and she doesn’t stand alone as strongly either. From the beginning, we decided that our Angie needed to be more versatile. We aimed to make the audience care for this character independently, rather than just viewing her as Will’s girlfriend. Concerning Sarah, I don’t have specific insights to offer other than I feel the show didn’t necessitate her inclusion this season. With the intricate nature of Angie’s relationship and Gina being able to work with us for ten episodes, we didn’t feel it was necessary to introduce Sarah as a new element.

This interview has been edited and condensed.

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2025-05-14 04:40