Will Trent Star Ramón Rodriguez Reveals Why Yul Vazquez Was Cast To Play His Father

The article contains spoilers for Will Trent season 3, episode 17, “Why Hello, Sheriff.”

Will Trent star and executive producer Ramón Rodríguez opens up about the choice to cast Yul Vazquez as the main character’s father. Will Trent season 3, episode 17, “Why Hello, Sheriff”, proved to be a game-changer. It revealed that Angie (Erika Christensen) was pregnant, with Dr. Seth McDale (Scott Foley) as the father. But the episode, which was also directed by Christensen, also introduced Sheriff Caleb Roussard (played by Severance‘s Yul Vazquez) as Will’s father in another unexpected development.

In an interview with Variety, Rodriguez praised Vazquez’s readiness to jump into the role and delved into his overall suitability for the part. The executive producer also discussed the physical similarity at play between Will and the guarded Roussard. Rodriguez, also an executive producer on the ABC series, also mentions the Severance‘s actor’s “gravitas” in the quote below:

“He couldn’t have been more perfect. There’s a physical resemblance, there’s gravitas — and what’s cool is, he came in just so excited and down to play this very guarded, complicated guy.”

What All The Changes Mean For Will Trent Season 3

It’s A Bold Direction To Take

The general reputation of network shows, even the ones that deal with strikingly serious subjects, is that viewers come to these shows for comfort. There has to be a certain level of continuity, a certain baseline that viewers come to expect when they tune in for a series. The presence of Will’s father isn’t necessarily a massive disruption in itself. It may even be a common move for shows to take. But coupled with Angela’s pregnancy, there are a lot of shifts to expect as viewers head into the already-renewed Will Trent season 4.

When it comes to Will’s dad in particular, there is a promise that Vazquez’s presence will show a different side to the main protagonist than the audience would be used to seeing. It balances the procedural elements of a crime drama with the more long-term personal aspects, giving viewers something to sink their teeth into, aided by a new recurring guest who’s at the top of his game.

Our Take On Yul Vazquez As Will Trent’s Father

It’s A Great Choice

Vazquez was a standout on Severance. Despite limited time as Petey, he is crucial to the story and getting characters like Mark S. (Adam Scott) to where he needs to go. But it’s more than just a plot-specific performance. Vazquez gets to do a lot with so little. Considering his significance to the Will Trent cast, his range will come through even clearly with this new role. But it’s already evident that the chemistry with Rodriguez is there, even if their dynamic is likely to be complicated moving forward.

Will Trent‘s season 3 finale, “Listening to a Heartbeat,” premieres Tuesday, May 13 at 8 PM ET on ABC.

Source: Variety