Will Trent fans were set to see much more of Franklin Wilks when the series returned that January — and for good reason.
Kevin Daniels, who had recurred since Season 1 as APD detective Franklin Wilks (and notably, Angie’s sponsor), had been officially promoted to series regular ahead of Season 4, according to Deadline. His expanded presence marked the first major cast shift heading into the new season and signaled that the writers clearly intended to deepen Franklin’s role in both the APD and in the personal lives of the show’s core characters.
Throughout the show’s first three seasons, Daniels’ Franklin had quietly but steadily grown into a fan-favorite supporter within the Will/Angie/Faith dynamic. As Angie’s sponsor, he often served as a grounding presence — firm when necessary, compassionate when needed — and his scenes added emotional texture to Angie’s long and difficult recovery journey. His elevation suggested that Season 4 planned to broaden that arc, possibly giving Franklin more involvement in major cases and in the complicated interpersonal web that drives much of the series’ heart.
Daniels joined a returning main cast led by Ramón Rodríguez (Will Trent), Erika Christensen (Angie Polaski), Iantha Richardson (Faith Mitchell), Jake McLaughlin (Michael Ormewood) and Sonja Sohn (Amanda Wagner), all of whom shaped the show’s distinctive balance of character-driven mystery and emotional stakes.
At the same time, another notable cast shift was also confirmed: Gina Rodriguez, who had joined as a series regular in Season 3, would not return for Season 4. Her character’s arc — though brief — added a different energy to the ensemble, and her departure left fans speculating about how the series would recalibrate heading into the next chapter.
Between Daniels’ promotion and Rodriguez’s exit, Season 4 was clearly poised to usher in a refreshed dynamic, giving the series room to explore new partnerships, new conflicts, and potentially new case structures as it continued building momentum.
