The Will Trent series not only conquers the audience with its dramatic crime-solving script and deep character psychology, but also arouses curiosity with its meticulous and dedicated filmmaking process. Behind the scenes of this film is a world full of pressure, creativity and memorable moments of the cast and crew.
Filming location: Real space to increase authenticity
Will Trent was filmed mainly in Atlanta, Georgia. This is not only a beautiful setting with a combination of modern cities and quiet suburbs, but also very suitable for recreating the headquarters of the GBI – Georgia Bureau of Investigation, where the character Will works.
The producers chose many real filming locations instead of setting it entirely in the studio. Some investigation scenes in apartments, alleys or police offices were filmed in old buildings to create a sense of realism and a mysterious atmosphere. Many actors revealed that this helps them “get into character” more easily when transforming into investigators who are struggling to solve cases.
Ramón Rodríguez: Portrait of a dedicated Will Trent on set
Actor Ramón Rodríguez, who plays Will Trent, is commented by the entire crew as a perfectionist and extremely serious. Before filming, he often spends time carefully studying criminal records, even meeting real investigators in real life to learn how they think and communicate.
Ramón shared in a behind-the-scenes interview:
“Will Trent is a very complex character. He is not only good at investigating but also has a painful past. I try to be true to those conflicts, both on camera and during breaks.”
Colleagues said that he often carries a notebook to write down all ideas, lines and details related to the character, to make sure he does not miss any details.
Emotional Scenes: When the Actors Are Really Haunted
The cast admitted that there were scenes that required a lot of emotion, especially when Will Trent had to face his childhood memories of being abandoned or when the character Angie Polaski (played by Erika Christensen) fell into a crisis.
In some climaxes, the crew actively allowed the actors to film many times without cutting, so that they had time to really pour out their emotions. Erika Christensen once said:
“There were times when we all cried after cutting the camera. It was no longer acting. Those emotions haunted us for days.”
Costume and Costumes: Small Details Make Big Personality
To portray Will Trent as a principled but slightly eccentric person, the costume design team prepared suits that were always neat but had an old look, neutral colors. His shoes were even “worn” slightly to look like they had been with Will for many years.
The old brown leather bag that Will always carries on his shoulder is also considered a “symbolic prop”. According to the producer, it is a symbol of the difficult past that Will never shakes off.
The relationship of the cast behind the lens
Although the film is often tense and heavy, the atmosphere on set is warm and close. The cast – from Ramón Rodríguez, Erika Christensen to Sonja Sohn – are all close-knit like a family.
They often play trivia games or have lunch together between long scenes. Erika said that once she and Ramón… practiced typing on an old typewriter to “play” the role of investigators before filming an office scene.
Behind-the-scenes challenges
The tight filming schedule was a big challenge. Each episode lasts 40–45 minutes but requires 8–10 days of filming, including many night shifts to film crime scene investigation scenes.
In particular, many outdoor scenes have to deal with Atlanta’s unpredictable weather. The crew sometimes had to stop filming due to heavy rain, then reshoot the same scene on another day – requiring the actors to maintain the same emotions as if they had never been interrupted.
Solidarity makes success
Looking back, the Will Trent crew all affirmed that the film’s success was not only due to the attractive script, but also thanks to the dedication and strict discipline of the entire crew.
Executive producer Liz Heldens shared:
“We didn’t just tell a crime-solving story. We told a story about people and the healing power of truth.”
Why is “Will Trent” so admirable behind the scenes?
It was the serious working spirit, respect for the audience and the resonance between the cast and the creative crew that turned Will Trent into a crime series that was both dramatic and touching.
When the cameras were turned off, the participants in this project still held the belief: the most truthful story is the story that no one dares to tell, and it is that story that makes the audience unable to take their eyes off.
