Will Trent Season 4: Showrunners Discuss Shocking Death And Impact On Wilbur

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Be warned, this article contains major spoilers for Will Trent season 4, episode 2, “Love Takes Time”! After repeatedly threatening the main character since season one, Will Trent has permanently removed a key villain from the show, and the creators are now explaining their decision. The ABC series, adapted from Karin Slaughter’s novels, centers on Ramón Rodriguez as a perceptive GBI agent who confronts his past with support from those around him, including his complicated love interest, Angie.

The fourth season of Will Trent began with a dramatic turn: Greg Germann’s character, James Ulster – who once claimed to be Will’s father – broke out of prison with the help of a young, volatile inmate. The ensuing search for Ulster led to conflict between Will and his real father, Sheriff Caleb Roussard (played by Yul Vazquez), and his colleagues worried about how personally Will was taking the case. The situation escalated when Ulster kidnapped Caleb’s youngest son – and Will’s half-brother – demanding a trade, and then faked their deaths to mislead the GBI.

Okay, so the newest episode, “Love Takes Time,” was a wild ride. Will finally managed to take down Ulster, but it was seriously unsettling – he actually considered killing him instead of arresting him! Before he could go down that path, though, both of them were snatched up by this completely unexpected third player, Susan, played by Michaela Watkins (you might recognize her from Heart Eyes). Turns out, she was trying to help complete the escape and get revenge on Germann’s villain for… well, having other ‘wives.’ It all led to this really intense shootout, and sadly, someone didn’t make it out alive.

Ahead of the new season, Grant Hermanns from ScreenRant spoke with the creators of Will Trent – Liz Heldens, Karine Rosenthal, and Daniel Thomsen – about what viewers can expect. They discussed the shocking death of a character in episode 2, hinted at how it will affect Will Trent throughout the season, and explained how they cast the role of Susan.

Ulster’s Death Is The “Beautiful Face Of Will’s Unraveling”

Disney/Lynsey Weatherspoon

Throughout most of the second episode of Will Trent‘s fourth season, Will and Ulster had to work together despite their disagreements while being held hostage by Susan Watkins. As the episode ended, they saw a possible way to escape, but the GBI was closing in. This led to a chase through a warehouse where, just as Will was about to be shot, Ulster bravely stepped in front of the bullet, sacrificing himself to save Will and dying in his arms.

Ulster’s death has been particularly difficult for the character, given their shared history, and according to showrunner Thomsen, this is just the beginning of the fallout. Thomsen referenced a key moment from season 2 – a conversation where Will is asked how he feels about Ulster’s passing – and hinted that Ulster might not be gone for good, stating, “I don’t know that it’s clear that Ulster really is gone.”

The scene felt underdeveloped, like many involving Will and Caleb. Because their relationship isn’t fully established yet, it was a good opportunity to contrast Ulster’s cheerful demeanor with Will’s increasing distress, making Ulster’s expression a focal point of Will’s breakdown.

The season premiere showed Will experiencing hallucinations, seemingly talking to Ulster while revisiting crime scenes. This suggests the possibility of the villain, Germann, returning in a similar way later in the season. When questioned about this, Thomsen didn’t reveal specifics, but hinted that the ringing Will heard and Ulster’s last words imply their story isn’t over yet.

With the storyline involving Ulster concluded, the show’s creator explained that Will and the other characters still have a lot to deal with emotionally. The team is also using the possibilities of filmmaking to create a visually unique show, unlike some procedural dramas that are more direct. This allows them to create surreal and boundary-pushing scenes, and avoid always presenting things in a completely realistic way.

The Will Trent Team Were Big Fans Of Michaela Watkins Going Into Her Season 4 Casting

Disney/Lynsey Weatherspoon

Germann’s reappearance is significant, but the introduction of Watkins as Susan truly drives the plot forward. Although her actions – including subjecting Will and Ulster to dangerously powerful electric shocks – are troubling, Germann understands Watkins’ own pain and tries to resolve the conflict without violence.

When discussing the storyline featuring Will, Ulster, and Susan, showrunner Heldens gave credit to Thomsen for originating the idea of having them share awkward, tense dinners in a fake dining room setting. Heldens described the situation as Will’s “worst foster care experience imaginable”—being stuck with a serial killer and someone unstable—and praised the scenes for allowing them to effectively explore Will’s vulnerabilities and emotional triggers.

The showrunners chose actress Michaela Watkins to play opposite leads Rodriguez and Germann because they’ve been longtime fans of her work. They’d previously collaborated with Watkins on Hulu’s The Dropout and were excited by the idea of her joining the cast. When discussing potential actors for the role of Susan, the team quickly agreed Watkins would be a great fit and bring a lot of fun to the show.

On a show like ours, and for ABC generally, it’s important to have moments of levity when things get intense. We try to weave in humor or relatable, quirky details to keep the show feeling real and balanced. Finding those specific, human moments not only makes things feel more grounded, but also more enjoyable for the audience. That balance is something we’re constantly striving for.

Heldens complimented Watkins’ skill at portraying characters with both intense qualities and heartfelt emotion, noting her impressive versatility – she can be both sympathetic and frightening very quickly. The showrunner said she’d like to find a way to work with Watkins again, but clarified that a return to Will Trent season 4 isn’t guaranteed.

Disney/Lynsey Weatherspoon

Rosenthal also commended casting director Jessica Daniels for suggesting Watkins for the role of Susan, explaining that the show needed someone who convincingly matched Ulster as a strong counterpart. He noted that Germann’s character had several wives while incarcerated—all uniquely charming—and this highlighted how Ulster seemed to be the one in charge. In contrast, Watkins’ character initially appears as someone Germann believes he can control, but she ultimately proves to be far more capable than he anticipates and skillfully reverses their dynamic.

Karine Rosenthal felt that Michaela’s initial vulnerability and dependence in her relationship with Ulster were believable, but so was her inner strength when she decided to stand up for herself and renegotiate their arrangement. The thought of Michaela and Greg simply sitting down to talk was particularly appealing to the audience.

Thomsen explained that when developing the character Susan, the team focused on how she would visually transform and inhabit her living space – the section of the facility she’d made into a makeshift kitchen. The showrunner aimed to create a visually striking environment, but also one that felt believable given the character’s capabilities.

He didn’t mind if things got a little strange, because the room was essentially someone’s imagination made real. Once they embraced that idea and the way the room looked, they realized Michaela was a brilliant choice – she understood and could portray both the realistic and fantastical elements they were aiming for.

Daniel Thomsen praised the actress’s ability to blend realistic acting with comedic timing, adding that she fully convinces the audience she’s capable of transforming any space, like the family warehouse in question, into something entirely her own.

Check out some of our previous Will Trent season 4 coverage with:

  • Liz Heldens, Karine Rosenthal & Daniel Thomsen previewing Wilbur’s unraveling in Will Trent season 4, along with his dating return and Scott Foley’s presence
  • Heldens, Rosenthal & Thomsen explaining how they quietly changed Caleb for some more dramatic moments this season

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2026-01-14 05:00