Will Trent Season 4 is coming in January 2026 on ABC. The new season starts right after the shocking end of Season 3, and it brings back some of the show’s most important characters with some new twists. People who watch will get 18 episodes full of crime, drama, and emotional turns.
With strong viewer support, ABC keeps airing its hit show. You can find out when Will Trent Season 4 will come out, who will be in it, what will happen in it, and what the GBI crew will do next here.
When Is the Will Trent Season 4 Release Date?
Confirmed Return Window: January 2026
Will Trent Season 4 will officially start in January 2026, following the pattern set by the first three seasons, which was in the middle of the season.
- Release Window: January 2026.
- Network Strategy: Midseason premiere on ABC’s Tuesday night lineup.
- Trend Consistency: First three seasons released in January or February.
- Streaming Access: New episodes expected to stream on Hulu and other digital platforms.
Episode Count & Airing Pattern
Like the previous seasons, Season 4 of Trent is likely to have 18 episodes. ABC will probably keep airing the show once a week, with few breaks to keep viewers interested.
- Total Episodes: 18 episodes confirmed for the fourth season.
- Broadcast Format: Weekly episodes with limited breaks between airings.
- Platform Distribution: Available via ABC and streaming next-day on Hulu.
- Episode Length: Approximately 43 minutes per episode.
- Air Time: Tuesdays at 8/7c, consistent with the third season.
Will There Be a Season 4 of Will Trent?
ABC Confirms Renewal and Production Start
ABC officially picked up Will Trent for a fourth season in April 2025, before the end of Season 3. The fourth season, which started filming in August, a part of ABC‘s plan to use the show’s strong crime drama viewership across both traditional TV and digital platforms.
- Renewal Date: April 2025, announced before the last episode of the third season.
- Production Start: August 11, 2025, confirmed by executive producer Karin Slaughter.
- Executive Confidence: Slaughter returns to guide story direction alongside lead writer Henry “Hank” Jones.
Slaughter Teases Cliffhangers and “Amazing Things”
In an interview on Good Morning America, Karin Slaughter hinted at big changes coming to Season 4 of Will Trent. She made it clear that the new season will pick up right where the last one left off, promising “so many cliffhangers” and “amazing things.”
- Story Direction: Season 4 begins immediately after the Season 3 finale.
- Quote from Slaughter: “They’re just picking up where they left off and doing amazing things.”
- Narrative Threads: Focus on emotional fallout and unresolved dynamics from recent season.
- Writing Team: Includes Karine Rosenthal, Adam Toltzis, and Antoine Perry.
- Directors Returning: Includes Holly Dale, Gail Mancuso, Jason Ensler, and Lea Thompson.
What Can Fans Expect in Will Trent Season 4?
Will and Caleb’s Storyline Takes Center Stage
In Season 4, everything is about family. Will Trent forms a fragile bond with his biological father, Sheriff Caleb Roussard. This storyline marks a turning point for the special agent’s emotional arc after a harsh coming of age in Georgia’s foster system.
- Big Reveal: Sheriff Caleb was confirmed as Will’s biological father via crime scene DNA.
- Episode Reference: Introduced in the penultimate episode of the third season.
- Emotional Stakes: Two emotionally closed-off men learning to trust.
- Dinner Scene Setup: Season 3 finale ends with Will agreeing to dinner with Caleb’s family.
- Returning Actor: Yul Vazquez reprises his role as Sheriff Caleb in Trent Season 4.
Angie’s Pregnancy Changes Everything
Angie chose to keep her baby with Seth in the Season 3 finale. Will is deeply affected by this event, but it also frees him from the weight of the past, paving the way for a more introspective story arc in the fourth season.
- Finale Impact: Will watches Angie and Seth celebrate their baby’s ultrasound.
- Character Shift: Will gives his blessing but begins emotional distancing.
- Narrative Outcome: Less focus on romance, more on self-discovery and family.
- Angie’s Role: Still important, but not the core of Will Trent’s story.
- Played By: Angie is portrayed by Erika Christensen.
Who’s Returning to the Will Trent Season 4 Cast?
Which Characters Are Confirmed?
For Season 4, the main cast of Will Trent is back, and they’ve gotten better. Kevin Daniels, who plays Detective Franklin Wilks, has been promoted to series regular, which means he will be in more episodes.
- Ramón Rodríguez as Will Trent: Also directing multiple episodes this season.
- Erika Christensen as Angie Polaski: Returns with a major storyline involving her pregnancy.
- Iantha Richardson as Faith Mitchell: Continues as Will’s loyal GBI partner.
- Jake McLaughlin as Michael Ormewood: Returns despite his character’s collapse from a possible brain tumor.
- Kevin Daniels as Detective Franklin Wilks: Upgraded to series regular; plays Angie’s AA sponsor and fellow GBI detective.
- Yul Vazquez as Sheriff Caleb Roussard: Reprises his role as Will’s newly discovered biological father.
Who’s Still Unconfirmed?
After what happened in the last season, it’s still not clear when a few characters will come back. Amanda Wagner’s story was left open-ended, and other characters may not get much screen time.
- Sonja Sohn as Amanda Wagner: Character was shot while protecting Angie in the finale; her return is unconfirmed.
- Gina Rodriguez as DA Marion Alba: Served as Will’s love interest during the third season.
- Antwayn Hopper as Rafael Wexler: His character has deep personal ties to Will from the past.
- Cast List Pending: ABC has not released a full confirmed cast list for Season 4.
- Supporting Directors: Include Sheree Folkson, Geary McLeod, and Mark Tonderai.
Final Thoughts
There are more layers, more tension, and a deeper focus on the characters in Season 4 of Will Trent. This is especially true since the GBI crew is under a lot of emotional and professional pressure after the domestic terrorism attack.
The show’s unique point has both sharp police procedurals and character-driven plots that keep people watching each season. Fans won’t have to wait long now that Patricia Cardoso, Eric Dean Seaton, and Bille Woodruff are in charge. Stick around, this saved sort of drama is just getting better.
FAQs
Where can I watch Will Trent Season 4?
You can watch Will Trent Season 4 on ABC and stream it next day on Hulu and other digital platforms with high streaming viewership.
Will Betty be in Season 4 of Will Trent?
Yes, Betty the dog remains part of the GBI crew after the team stopped the suspect attempting to poison Atlanta.
How many episodes will You have in Season 4?
Will Trent Season 4 will have 18 episodes with no inappropriate language but heavy on police procedural tension.
Is Eric Dean Seaton directing Will Trent Season 4?
Yes, Eric Dean Seaton joins directors like Patricia Cardoso and Bille Woodruff in directing new episodes of the fourth season.
Is Shifting Gears replacing Will Trent on ABC?
No, Shifting Gears is a separate show and Will Trent will air alongside it without any saved sort interruptions.
