Will Trent season 3: Ramon Rodriguez promises dramatic premiere on ABC

ATLANTA– From the Lower East Side to leading one of television’s most gripping crime series, Ramon Rodriguez breaks barriers in front of and behind the camera.

The proud Puerto Rican not only stars in the Season 3 premiere of “Will Trent,” he also takes on the director’s chair for the premiere episode next week.

Ahead of this premiere, entertainment reporter Joelle Garguilo traveled to Atlanta to catch up with Will Trent himself.

“I’m blessed,” Rodriguez said. “I’m grateful that we’re working, everyone’s working really hard to continue to elevate the show.”

Rodriguez teased that the character starts in a different place than previous seasons.

“Will Trent is back,” he said. “OK, we start with him, bearded, curly hair, no suit, no three-piece suit. A little outside the box. He made a tough decision at the end of season two, and he kind of had to run to the GBI camp, you know, came knocking and said, we need you to help us solve this case.

Rodriguez also reflected on his connection to the character.

“I read the books and I kind of became more invested in this character, who is really an underdog, and what he went through and what he overcame,” he said. “So there was a lot of that kind of motivation that I was able to connect to. And, you know, the fact that he has a heart, as he really does, I think it’s misunderstood to a beautiful way, and it grows on you.”

Rodriguez said he loves being able to step into different shoes and perspectives.

“And then there’s also, obviously, just being Latino and really trying to change the narrative of how we’re represented, and that’s a big deal for me,” Rodriguez said.

Season 3 of “Will Trent” premieres January 7 on ABC.