Peyton Manning’s Musical Moment: ABC’s Overlooked Spotlight

SPOILER ALERT: This interview contains significant spoilers from the gripping Season 3 finale, “Listening to a Heartbeat,” of ABC’s crime drama “Will Trent,” which is available for streaming on Hulu starting May 14.

For the thrilling Season 3 finale of the acclaimed ABC crime drama “Will Trent,” creators and showrunners Liz Heldens and Daniel Thomsen aimed to craft a monumental two-part event reminiscent of classic series like “ER,” placing all of its pivotal characters in perilous situations. They have certainly fulfilled that ambition, leaving the fates of two beloved characters teetering in uncertainty and suspense.

The Tuesday season finale presented a dramatic resolution to the bioweapons attack threatening the city of Atlanta, masterminded by a domestic terrorist organization known as the Founder’s Front. As the protagonist, Will Trent (played by Ramón Rodríguez), along with his dedicated team from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and the Atlanta Police Department, raced against time to neutralize the threat and save countless lives, Will was compelled to grapple with the complex dynamics of his biological family, particularly his newfound connection to Caleb Broussard (Yul Vazquez), the sheriff revealed to be his biological father in the preceding episode.

“It felt like an exciting challenge for us to create a genuinely massive episode filled with action, where Will had to defy his instincts and step away from his learned family, who were in peril,” Heldens shares with Variety.

When Will’s dog sitter, Nico (Cora Lu Tran), fell seriously ill while hospitalized, Will and Caleb investigated the site of a deceased homeless man. They discovered that plastic takeout containers in the area had been deliberately contaminated with Clostridium botulinum, a deadly bacterium that poses a serious threat to the central nervous system. Meanwhile, Ormewood (Jake McLaughlin), Faith (Iantha Richardson), and Franklin (Kevin Daniels) were assigned to escort the first shipment of CDC-approved antitoxin from a warehouse to the hospital. However, a corrupt officer connected to the Founder’s Front led them directly into an ambush in an area devoid of GPS or radio signals.

Compounding the chaos, the terrorists took Deputy Director Amanda Wagner (Sonja Sohn) hostage in her office at the GBI, demanding the release of another officer in exchange for her life. Despite the imminent threat to Amanda’s safety, Will had no choice but to leave with Caleb to locate the lab where the bacteria was being aerosolized. Fortunately, Angie (Erika Christensen), the detective who was hidden in the restroom during the attack, devised a clever plan to successfully neutralize the terrorists in the office. However, she was unable to prevent one of the assailants from shooting Amanda in the chest.

In a surprising turn, Ormewood, Faith, and Franklin successfully defended themselves against a group of Founder’s Front members, aided by a van full of junior national archery champions present at the crime scene, who managed to launch flaming arrows into enemy territory. Just when it seemed that one last gunman was about to shoot Ormewood at point-blank range, Will, having forced a worker in the makeshift lab to reveal the ambush location, drove his car into the terrorist, saving the day. The antitoxin was subsequently delivered to the hospitals. However, later that evening, Ormewood, who had recently been diagnosed with a brain tumor, suddenly collapsed in his kitchen.

“The greatest challenge for us was ensuring that we retained the emotional depth that our audience has come to cherish from this show,” Thomsen explains. “It was all about setting up these character arcs that could either blossom or wither simultaneously, so that while dealing with a bioweapons attack, we still remain deeply connected to the individual journeys of each character.”

As they prepare to resume the writers’ room for Season 4, set to premiere in early 2026, Heldens and Thomsen delve into the emotional cliffhangers from the finale, the implications of Angie’s pregnancy with Dr. Seth McDale (Scott Foley) for her future with Will, and the reasoning behind introducing a new character as Will’s father instead of selecting a pivotal figure from executive producer Karin Slaughter’s novels.

What drove the decision to leave Amanda in a coma and Ormewood experiencing a seizure, creating dramatic cliffhangers for the audience?

Liz Heldens: For Will, it felt significant to us that his biological father had entered his life while simultaneously, the surrogate mother figure was put in jeopardy. I was present on set when that [final] hospital scene was filmed, and it deeply affected me. It was 2:00 AM, yet he had never articulated these feelings to her before. They both struggle with expressing their emotions, leaving much unsaid between them, which, as a writer, I find compelling. This moment marked the first time he truly conveyed her importance in his life, recognizing her as his stabilizing force amidst the whirlwind of changes he is facing, and the fear of losing her felt like a genuine emotional cliffhanger — one that we hope he can address when she wakes up and hears him.

Daniel Thomsen: From Ormewood’s perspective, given the impactful revelation of his tumor at the end of Episode 14, we wanted to strike a balance. On one hand, he is taking steps towards addressing his health, yet there’s a sense of denial. He isn’t fully prepared for the surgery or the possibility of receiving distressing news regarding the tumor’s severity.

We thought it would be compelling to depict him telling his children about his diagnosis — a powerful moment for me. There was an initial scene, conceived by Liz, which I found particularly well-executed. As he mentally prepared to speak to his children about his tumor, he listened to them play in the other room, teasing each other, and he thought, “These are my kids. I love them so much. They are a part of me. And I have to go change their world right now.” All of this is incredibly poignant. Yet, there’s something dramatically intriguing about how this entire team has just saved the world, and now he deserves a moment of respite, only to face a stark reality — clunk. He can no longer evade his destiny.

What motivated the shift from introducing James Ulster as Will’s biological father to Caleb Broussard in Season 3, and how does this change enrich the storytelling?

Thomsen: We initially introduced Ulster, and his narrative aligns closely with how it unfolds in the novels. However, at a certain point, we felt that this option was somewhat predictable, so we opted to diverge from it. Additionally, Ulster lacks the potential for redemption. While we enjoy writing his scenes with Will, his character doesn’t offer the emotional depth we sought to explore with a new character who could be more closely connected to Will.

We aimed to present Caleb as a different type of law enforcement officer, one with distinct philosophies regarding justice and responsibilities. However, it became clear that they share similar traits, almost like two peas in a pod. One surprising realization about Yul’s portrayal of Caleb was that I initially anticipated more friction between their characters. Yet, as Yul embraced the role, I found myself wanting to see them together more often. Thus, our challenge for the upcoming season will be finding ways to maintain tension while allowing their bond to develop.

Heldens: I believe James Ulster will likely have a perspective on Will discovering his true biological father, which could serve as a storyline for us in the future.

How does Angie’s pregnancy impact her relationship with Will, and why does this storyline resonate with the show’s themes?

Heldens: I see their relationship as the emotional core of our series. They have known each other since childhood and, in many ways, are the only ones who truly understand each other. In the [their] final scene where they are viewing the ultrasound, Will is overwhelmed with emotions, and Angie is equally affected. Their conversation flows seamlessly, as they complete each other’s thoughts. They don’t need to articulate everything verbally; they innately understand each other’s feelings in that pivotal moment.

We have yet to identify a factor that would drive a wedge between them. Even when he arrested her [at the end of Season 2], they had a period of silence before reuniting on a case. We wanted them to share some light-hearted moments before Angie recalled her anger. This dynamic will always be present. Writing scenes with them is a joy for us. We’re uncertain where their relationship will land, but Angie’s journey into motherhood feels like a significant arc for her, while Will’s continued presence in her life highlights that delicious awkwardness we all cherish in real life, making it a fruitful narrative for us.

Is your writers’ room divided over whom Angie should ultimately end up with, reflecting the audience’s perspective?

Heldens: That’s an intriguing question. For us, life continues to unfold for these characters. They evolve; they’re not frozen in time. Viewers love seeing them as a pair and as individuals. We all desire to witness growth and change, along with continued friction in their relationships. So, I’m uncertain. We’ve never conducted a poll, have we, Dan?

Thomsen: I don’t believe we have. However, I can pinpoint a moment from this season. When they were planning to send Will undercover to a cult [in Episode 12], there was a remarkable scene where Angie remarked, “This is a bad idea. I’m the only one saying this. Amanda, you’re his mother. Step in here.” Despite all the turmoil they’ve endured and Angie’s vocalizations of past grievances about how “you blew up this relationship,” there remains a deep-seated love. This raises many questions about whether that love evolves into something romantic. I would be surprised if we find something that permanently separates them as individuals navigating life together, but I’m not exactly sure what the final form of their relationship will look like.

What aspirations do you have for Season 4, and how do you plan to evolve the characters and storylines?

Heldens: You’re catching us at a moment of reflection and inspiration. We’ve initiated some story arcs. Will is about to explore what it means to navigate relationships with his chosen family while also facing the realities of the family that fate has dealt him. Meanwhile, Angie is embarking on her journey through pregnancy. I’m eager to see her fully embrace this new phase of life ([gestures a large belly]) and continue to be a strong character.

Thomsen: Liz and I have a deep appreciation for broadcast television. We grew up with it and understand its demands. This show requires a balance, and while the core elements must remain intact, we love discovering how to incorporate significant changes without losing what the audience loves about the series. We have discussed the poignant scene between Will and Amanda, where he expresses himself while she is under anesthesia. Had that moment occurred in Season 1, even with Amanda unconscious, I doubt he would’ve found the courage to say those things. His character has undergone a profound transformation, and this moment felt timely due to the extensive changes he has already experienced. In Season 4, we aim to find new avenues to further evolve every character and storyline.

Will Gina Rodriguez’s District Attorney Marion Alba return next season after her compelling arc with Will, and is there potential for their romance to rekindle?

Heldens: We absolutely adore her. She’s an incredible actress and a wonderful person. While I can’t guarantee anything, the door is definitely open for her return. There’s no narrative reason preventing her from coming back.

Thomsen: I believe Will has things he wants to express to her, and we’re hopeful for an opportunity. She’s quite busy, of course! She’s a star.

How are you navigating the introduction of Sara Linton, a significant character from the “Will Trent” book series, in your adaptation?

Heldens: Part of our creative process involves recognizing that we cast Erika Christensen as Angie, and once you see the range and depth she brings to that character, it becomes challenging not to invest in her. My response to that is, I’m uncertain.

Thomsen: I feel that our portrayal of Angie has evolved into a blend of both Angie and Sara from the novels, particularly regarding her emotional relationship with Will. In the books, Angie is depicted as a harsher character who is less beneficial for Will and doesn’t have the same level of independence. We decided early on that our Angie needed to be a more dynamic character. We wanted the audience to engage with her on her own merits, not merely as Will’s girlfriend. I don’t have specific plans for Sara at this time, but I believe the current narrative did not call for her presence this season. Given the complex dynamics in Angie’s relationship with Will and Gina’s availability for ten episodes with us, we felt it was unnecessary to add that character this season.

This interview has been edited and condensed for clarity.