Will Trent Season 4 Update: ABC Reruns Continue as Fans Await 2026 Return

ABC has reaffirmed its commitment to keeping the hit police procedural “Will Trent” in the public eye during its extended hiatus, as the network continues its strategy of airing reruns while fans wait for the highly anticipated fourth season expected in early 2026.

Extended Hiatus Strategy Continues

Today’s update confirms that ABC is maintaining its previously announced plan to air reruns of “Will Trent” alongside “High Potential” on Tuesday nights during both shows’ hiatuses. The crime drama starring Ramón Rodríguez will not return with new episodes until early 2026, creating an approximately eight-month gap since the Season 3 finale aired in May 2025.

The network’s decision to hold “Will Trent” Season 4 for midseason programming mirrors the successful strategy used for Season 3, which premiered in January 2025 and performed strongly for ABC. This scheduling approach has proven effective for the network, with Season 3 ratings showing improvement over the previous season.

Production Updates and Behind-the-Scenes Developments

Recent behind-the-scenes content has provided fans with encouraging updates about the upcoming season. Production on Season 4 officially began on August 11, 2025, with series executive producer and author Karin Slaughter confirming that filming is underway. The new season will consist of 18 episodes, maintaining the same episode count as Season 3.

Social media posts from the production have also inadvertently revealed that key characters Amanda Wagner (Sonja Sohn) and Detective Ormewood (Jake McLaughlin) will return, despite their characters facing life-threatening situations in the Season 3 finale. Behind-the-scenes footage posted to the show’s official Instagram account showed both actors on set in good spirits, with McLaughlin sporting a new longer hairstyle compared to his previous buzzcut.

Cast Changes and Story Continuation

Season 4 will feature a significant cast promotion, with Kevin Daniels being upgraded from guest star to series regular in his role as Detective Franklin Wilks. Wilks, who serves as Angie’s AA sponsor and provides comic relief, is expected to take on a more active role in cases and could potentially fill gaps left by characters whose fates were uncertain after Season 3’s cliffhangers.

Author Karin Slaughter has indicated that Season 4 will directly address the multiple cliffhangers from the Season 3 finale, which included Amanda Wagner being shot while protecting Angie from terrorists, Angie’s decision to keep her pregnancy, and Ormewood’s collapse potentially related to his brain tumor.

Network’s Strategic Programming Approach

The decision to hold “Will Trent” for midseason reflects ABC’s confidence in the show’s performance and its strategy to replicate previous successful scheduling patterns. The network has been actively working to maintain audience engagement during the hiatus through reruns and behind-the-scenes content, recognizing the show’s strong streaming performance and growing viewership.

Star Ramón Rodríguez is also expected to continue his dual role as both actor and director for Season 4, having previously directed the Season 3 premiere. He has expressed interest in directing the Season 4 premiere as well, stating that he enjoys “that pressure of having to set the bar for a season”.

The extended wait until 2026 may test fan patience, but ABC’s strategic approach of maintaining visibility through reruns and the strong production updates suggest the network remains committed to the series’ long-term success.