Nowadays, it’s difficult for any broadcast show to survive past its first season, but not only has Will Trent done just that, it has also thrived, beating the odds time and time again. The ABC police procedural debuted in January 2023. Since it’s based on Karin Slaughter’s book series of the same name, Will Trent had a leg up due to its established fan base.
However, it also attracted new fans with its talented cast, compelling characters, complex mysteries, and shocking twists. The Will Trent writers consistently manage to surprise the audience, which is partly why it has been such a success.
The crime drama revolves around its titular character, Will Trent, played by Ramón Rodríguez. Will is a highly skilled GBI (Georgia Bureau of Investigation) agent with a dark past. He is surrounded by four other characters who make up the main Will Trent cast, including Erika Christensen’s Angie Polaski (Will’s childhood friend and on-and-off love interest), Iantha Richardson’s Faith Mitchell (Will’s partner), Sonja Sohn’s Amanda Wagner (the GBI Deputy Director), and Jake McLaughlin’s Michael Ormewood (Angie’s partner at the Atlanta Police Department). They come together to make a thrilling network TV show that is only getting better with age.
Will Trent Has Managed To Improve Its Ratings Consistently In The Last 3 Years
Will Trent has accomplished what is nearly the impossible — somehow, someway, its ratings have gotten better with every season. The ABC police procedural series experienced a significant jump in audience totals between its first two seasons, while season 3 continued the trend by slightly improving upon its predecessor.
According to TV Series Finale, Will Trent season 3 ponderously 4.62 million viewers (with regard to same-day ratings). Meanwhile, season 2’s average was 4.3 million and season 1’s was 3,058 million. Its totals are even higher when factoring in Live+7 playback, of course.
Will Trent’s average same-day Nielsen TV ratings in the 18–49 demographic have also increased over the seasons. It began with a 0.29 rating, while season 2 scored a 0.33, and season 3’s was 0.34. Not many shows have conquered this feat, which is why it’s such a big deal that Will Trent can say that it has. Most TV series lose viewership over time, while Will Trent has only gained fans as the seasons continue.
How Will Trent Has Managed To Increase Its Ratings Amid Contradictory TV Trend
Various network TV shows are suffering from viewership loss (and getting canceled as a result — just look at NBC’s Night Court and so many other broadcast series that got axed this year). Will Trent, on the other hand, has accomplished the rare feat of gaining audience members with every passing season. In particular, the police procedural series saw a massive improvement in ratings between seasons 1 and 2, as mentioned above. Now, season 3 has continued this trend, and one can’t help but wonder how Will Trent pulled it off.
Will Trent managed this extraordinary record for a few reasons. Firstly, the crime drama has maintained its coveted timeslot on Tuesdays. However, while it used to cap off the night at 10 pm ET, it now leads off at 8 pm ET (at least, it did for seasons 2 and 3 — Will Trent’s schedule for season 4 is unknown). Its earlier release time allows more people to watch. It also helps that Will Trent always premieres during midseason, meaning it has less competition and more room for growth because most new TV shows air in the fall.
As witnessed by the two-part season 3 finale, the ABC police procedural show is only getting better with age as it consistently manages to keep fans on their toes.
Another reason that explains Will Trent’s improving ratings is that the series is simply good. It keeps its audience’s attention with its intriguing plotlines, shocking developments, and complex characters. People keep on watching because they are invested in the Will Trent characters and their stories, and they want to learn what happens next. As witnessed by the two-part season 3 finale, the ABC police procedural show is only getting better with age as it consistently manages to keep fans on their toes. Hopefully, that will also ring true in season 4.
Will Trent’s Viewership Record Puts Pressure On Season 4
Even though Will Trent’s three-season ratings streak is mightily impressive, it also puts a lot of pressure on season 4 to continue that trend. It would be rather disappointing if its viewership didn’t continue to increase, especially if the series loses fans. Consequently, Will Trent season 4 has its work cut out for it.
How Will Trent Season 4 Can Ensure It Continues To Grow Its Viewership
The one way for Will Trent to continue building its viewership in season 4 is to do nothing at all. That is, the writers and producers shouldn’t change what has been working for them for the first three seasons. They must continue with the same format, but also weave in a few new and exciting developments (and characters), similar to what they have done in the past (e.g., Angie’s pregnancy in season 3). There is a reason why Will Trent’s ratings are always increasing, and as long as nothing major changes behind the scenes, the series should be okay.
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