From the moment he was asked to audition for the role of Will Trent, Ramón Rodríguez wasn’t sure he was the right fit. In several interviews, he said he initially felt pressured by the uniqueness of the character: a brilliant detective with an abandoned childhood, dyslexia, and a very thick layer of defense.
“I didn’t think I was the perfect person to play this role. I said, ‘Maybe you need someone else.’ But when I read the script and the original novel, I was really drawn into Will’s inner world.”
Will isn’t your typical cop character – he’s not tough, he’s not completely cold, but he’s full of vulnerability hidden behind a sharp intelligence.
The Three-Piece Suit – The Psychological Shield
One of the creative decisions that Rodríguez and the writing team agreed on was that Will always wears a three-piece suit. It’s not about style, but about Will’s control of the world around him, covering up his unreadability and past trauma.
“The suit is his armor. It makes him feel valuable, powerful, and able to not show his vulnerability.”
Interestingly, Will’s suit isn’t perfect: it’s a little loose and worn – a subtle way to remind the audience that despite looking very presentable, he’s still out of place.
Build Your Voice and Body Language
Rodríguez spent months honing his Southern Georgia accent, mixing it with a calm demeanor and a non-rushed way of speaking. He reveals that he was inspired by rapper André 3000 (Outkast):
“I didn’t want it to be too dramatic, but I didn’t want it to lose its Southern identity. It had to be Georgian.”
At the same time, he had to practice expressing his anxiety through his eyes and hands: Will often didn’t look straight ahead for too long, or touched his jacket, as a habit to calm himself.
Investigative Skills and the Obsession with Justice
Will Trent wasn’t just smart – he also had an almost uncanny ability to observe. To prepare, Rodríguez studied real files on Georgia Bureau of Investigation agents, learned how to analyze crime scenes, and practiced speaking softly to catch suspects off guard.
“Will gives people the impression that he’s a little bit of a goofball, but he’s really looking at every little detail.”
Betty – The Little Dog and the Soft Heart
One of Will’s most touching moments is his love for Betty, an abandoned Chihuahua. Rodríguez sees Betty as a symbol of the desire to be loved:
“Will saved Betty because he didn’t want any other animal to feel the abandonment he felt. It was his way of finding a family.”
Scenes with Betty always require a very real tenderness, so that viewers can feel that Will is not only a genius at solving crimes, but also someone who longs for connection.
Relationships with Faith, Angie and Amanda
Ramón Rodríguez emphasizes that, besides solving crimes, what he loves most is Will’s healing journey through relationships:
With Faith (Iantha Richardson): From reluctant partner to soul mate.
With Angie (Erika Christensen): A complicated, passionate and tormented love.
With Amanda (Sonja Sohn): A hidden mother-daughter relationship, because Amanda once sheltered Will from an orphanage.
“Every woman in Will’s life reflects a part of his trauma and hope.”
Empathy and Obsession When Filming
Rodríguez confessed that there were scenes that made him sleepless many nights, especially the episodes that delved into Will’s childhood of abuse and abandonment.
“Sometimes after the scene, I still hear Will’s voice in my head, still feel the empty coldness of that boy.”
Pride in Contributing to Building a Distinctive Character
In many interviews, he always said that Will Trent was the proudest role of his career:
“Will is not perfect. He is damaged, full of contradictions, but also brave. I love him for that.”From his voice, his eyes, his suit to his wounded heart, Ramón Rodríguez turned Will Trent into a character that is both painful and captivating, making the audience not only follow the cases but also pity, sympathize and deeply connect.
