ABC has confirmed that Will Trent will return with season 4 on January 6, 2026, bringing the popular crime drama to screens early in the new year.
The series, based on the best-selling novels by Karin Slaughter, continues to follow Special Agent Will Trent as he solves complex cases with the Georgia Bureau of Investigation while navigating his own unconventional approach to life and work.
The new season will have 18 episodes, according to Deadlinemarking another full run for the show after season 3 concluded in May 2025.
Ramón Rodríguez will once again lead the cast as the sharp-eyed investigator, known not only for his sharp instincts but also for his close bond with his chihuahua, Betty.
Rodriguez previously described the show’s balance of tone, saying, “This is a crime drama that has a lot of heart and doesn’t take itself so seriously.”
He added: “There’s some seriousness, there’s some drama, but we can still thread the needle by including some humor and levity.”
That combination has helped the series stand out since its debut in January 2023.
Season four will also see Rodriguez take on more responsibility behind the camera.
After directing the season 3 premiere, the actor confirmed that he will direct at least one episode in the next season.
“It makes more sense to me to direct the premiere like I did last season,” he said in a June 2025 interview. “I love that pressure of having to set the bar for a season.”
The January release date follows the show’s familiar release pattern, with seasons 1 and 3 also premiering in January, while season 2 arrived in February.
Viewers looking to catch up can currently stream the first three seasons on Hulu.
When season 4 begins airing on ABC, new episodes will be added to Hulu the next day.
With a confirmed return date and longer episode order, Will Trent is set to begin 2026 with more cases, character moments, and the same combination of courage and warmth that fans have come to expect.
