Warning! Spoilers ahead for Will Trent season 4, episode 18, “Be of Service.”Apparently, Amanda’s death wasn’t enough tragedy for Will Trent season 4.
Wilbur and the GBI were still reeling from the unexpected demise of their leader late in the 2025-2026 TV cycle. The case involving Adelaide kidnapping Trent’s uncle led to the loss, which left viewers of the procedural shocked, considering it marked the first time in its history to kill a main character. As Wilbur and the rest tried their best to move forward, Angie focused on the birth of her and Seth’s baby — an event full season in the making. Unfortunately for her, the happy occasion was derailed by another tragedy.
In Will Trent season 4‘s final hour, “Be of Service,” Angie rushed to the hospital to finally give birth when she and Seth found themselves involved in a car crash. Despite the accident, the pair survived the wreck, and she was able to deliver the baby, Edie, safe and sound. However, what seemed like a great way to end the day was hit with a devastating plot twist, as Seth was apparently only operating on adrenaline. Ultimately, he died from internal injuries, leaving Angie widowed.
Speaking with TVInsider, co-showrunner Liz Heldens explained the reasoning behind the last-minute tragedy in Will Trent season 4, acknowledging how dire things were for the show in its final stretch. According to her, these are all part of their plan for a reset in season 5. Amanda’s death impacts the rest of the team, while Seth’s demise will be more focused on Angie’s personal arc. Read her full quote below:
Going into Season 5, it just really felt like we needed a reset and some new energy, and some new dynamics… These were really hard and emotional decisions for the writers. There was a lot of back and forth in the room, but, eventually, we did what we thought was best for the future of the show. But yeah, both of them are heartbreakers for sure.
As long-running procedurals, regular changes are important to keep things fresh and appealing, even to old-time viewers. Will Trent is actually one of the rare shows that has managed to increase its viewership every year, which is proof of its appeal. However, it’s great that the creatives behind the series are not afraid to make significant alterations to its format despite its continued success. It’s an indication that, ultimately, they don’t want the show to have lazy storytelling, even though it means doing two consecutive devastating deaths in one season.
Understandably, viewers will continue to grieve the loss of Amanda and Seth moving forward. It shows that its base remains invested in the narrative and its characters. The challenge now for Heldens and her co-showrunners, Daniel T. Thomsen & Karine Rosenthal, is to make the most out of these deaths. Their impact needs to be a driving force of the narrative in Will Trent season 5. Otherwise, it would feel like the tragedies were done just for the sake of doing a tragic twist.
Will Trent Is Returning For Season 5 – Everything We Know
The 2025-2026 TV year has been hard on Wilbur and the rest of the GBI. Luckily, things can still look up for them in Will Trent season 5.
While ABC has yet to confirm its 2026-2027 TV lineup, it’s safe to say that Will Trent season 5 will once again debut in the upcoming midseason. Admittedly, the extended wait can be frustrating, but the set-up has worked wonders for both the network and the show, as proven by its solid ratings. For now, all episodes of the show are available to stream on Hulu.
Will Trent
- Release Date
-
January 3, 2023
- Directors
-
Howard Deutch, Eric Dean Seaton, Holly Dale, Lea Thompson, Patricia Cardoso, Sheree Folkson, Bille Woodruff, Erika Christensen, Gail Mancuso, Geary McLeod, Jason Ensler, Mark Tonderai, Paul McGuigan
- Writers
-
Inda Craig-Galván, Henry ‘Hank’ Jones, Karine Rosenthal, Adam Toltzis, Antoine Perry
-
Ramón Rodríguez
Will Trent
-
Erika Christensen
Angie Polaski