### **Review: *Will Trent (2023)***
**Score: 8/10**
*Will Trent* is a refreshing and smart addition to the crowded police procedural landscape, succeeding by placing a uniquely compelling and deeply human character at its centre. Based on Karin Slaughter's bestselling novels, the series follows Special Agent Will Trent of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation, a man with a brilliant, analytical mind for solving crimes—a skill honed by a childhood spent navigating the foster care system and coping with severe dyslexia.
**What Works Brilliantly:**
* **A Truly Unique Protagonist:** **Ramón Rodríguez** is perfectly cast as Will Trent. He brings a captivating blend of sharp intelligence, guarded vulnerability, and a socially awkward, endearing honesty. Watching him decode a crime scene while secretly struggling to read a report makes him one of the most original and empathetic leads on television.
* **Superb Supporting Cast:** The chemistry is electric. **Erika Christensen** is a revelation as the tough, recovering addict detective Angie Polaski, Will’s lifelong, complicated friend. **Iantha Richardson** shines as the sharp, ethical detective Faith Mitchell, who becomes Will's reluctantly admiring partner. Together, they form a dynamic trio that elevates every scene.
* **Character-Driven Cases:** While the weekly mysteries are well-constructed, they primarily serve as a vehicle to explore the characters' past traumas and complex relationships. The show masterfully balances case-of-the-week momentum with a simmering serialised backstory.
* **Atlanta as a Character:** The show makes excellent use of its Southern setting, embracing the locale's distinct texture, from its institutions to its accents, without falling into caricature.
**Why It’s Not a 9 or 10:**
* **Familiar Framework:** Beneath its unique hero, the show sometimes relies on fairly standard procedural beats and network-TV crime-solving rhythms.
* **Occasional Melodrama:** The heavy backstories and traumatic pasts can, on rare occasions, tip into moments of heightened melodrama that feel at odds with the show's generally grounded tone.
**Verdict:**
*Will Trent* is a standout success because it understands that in a genre built on puzzles, the most fascinating mystery is the human heart. It’s a procedural with soul, driven by exceptional performances and a lead character you can’t help but root for. It’s consistently engaging, clever, and packed with more emotional depth than your average crime show.
**Watch if:** You love character-driven dramas, unique protagonists, and crime shows with a strong sense of place and heart.
**Skip if:** You prefer pure, gritty police realism or fast-paced, twist-heavy serial killer sagas.
