Warning: SPOILERS forWill Trentseason 3, episode 18, “Listening to a Heartbeat.”
There are enough likable characters inWill Trentthat just about any of them could be somebody’s favorite, but star Ramón Rodríguez sides with fans when deciding the series’ true best character. Trent’s father has been introduced ahead ofWill Trentseason 4, and there’s no telling which new characters the show may present next. More troubling, the biggestunanswered questions fromWill Trentseason 3generally revolve around whether two main characters will survive as their lives currently hang in the balance.
It can be stressful to pick a favorite character in just about any TV show for this very reason. At the conclusion ofWill Trentseason 3, bothMichael Ormewood’s brain tumor and Amanda Wagner’s gunshot wound threaten to rob the show of two notable personalities. Ormewood likely wasn’t anyone’s favorite character toward the beginning of the series, but he’s evolved quite a bit. Luckily, the character most fans label as their true favorite remains safe and sound for the time being.
Will Trent’s Dog, Betty, Is The Biggest Fan-Favorite Character On The Show
She’s Out To Prove That Chihuahuas Can Actually Be Likable
There are numerousdifferences betweenWill Trentand the books, but one thing ABC thankfully didn’t change was the inclusion of Wilbur’s adopted dog Betty. First introduced by Karin Slaughter in the latter half of her novelTriptych(the same book that introduced Trent),Betty Maria White Trent is a Chihuahua that Will adopted because he couldn’t bring himself to leave her at the shelter. She’s been a fan-favorite presence on the series since day one, and Ramón Rodríguez is inclined to take fans’ sides. While speaking withDeadline, Will’s actor states:
“Hey, it can’t hurt when you have a beautiful, adorable dog that’s the best-behaved Chihuahua I’ve ever met. Chihuahuas can be little terrors. My sister had one like that. But we found the most professional, well-behaved one to be my co-star. You know, when I read the pilot, the scene where Will adopts Betty from the shelter, that’s what hooked me in. It told me so much about this character, who can be kind of off-putting, and so compartmentalized and square. Beneath all of those layers, he showed he has an immense amount of heart. He wasn’t going to let this dog be abandoned like he was. It helped me hook onto that and understand him. That to me is a huge part of this character.”
While the unique writing and occasional unexpectedly absurd comedy beats haven’t hurt, the fandom’s love for Betty has almost certainly contributed toWill Trent’s increasing ratingssince its initial premiere. It’s extremely uncommon for a show’s ratings to improve rather than fall in the course of three years, but Betty deserves at least some of the credit, sinceRamón’s comments suggest Betty’s role was instrumental in selling him on the series in the first place. That’s actually somewhat by design, as Will’s relationship with Betty was always meant to be a central aspect of his character.
It’s Rare That A Network Show Focuses So Much On The Bond Between A Character & Pet
Many TV Pets Don’t Even Appear In Every Episode Of Their Shows
Concerning Wilbur’s relationships, fans of the Karin Slaughter books are still awaitingSara Linton’s appearance inWill Trent. But while Sara may be Trent’s primary romantic interest,Will’s refusal to leave Betty in the shelter is one of his most telling character traits in both the books and ABC series. This isn’t merely an inference made by fans, but an intentional choice Slaughter made when writingTriptychback in 2006. As she explains toParade:
“Will certainly had no intention of getting a dog, let alone a Chihuahua. Betty is the kind of dog a young pop star would carry in a leather satchel. But Will is a man who grew up in an orphanage and can’t take a dog to the pound. Now she whiles away the hours until Will comes home. Will Trent has lots of strong women in his life. Betty is just another one on the list.”
Slaughter’s description makes it clear, however, that Betty is much more than just an entry on a list. While there are fans who thinkWill Trentshouldn’t introduce Sara Lintonyet,Wilbur adopting Betty illustrates just how Will’s experiences in foster care have shaped his personality. He can’t simply walk away from others in need. The bond between protagonists and their pets doesn’t feature in many procedurals, barring exceptions likeTurner & Hooch,Hudson & RexorSue Thomas: F.B.Eye. But, in the case ofWill Trent, that bond is vital to understanding the true soul of his character.
Will Trent’s Betty Is Played By A Chihuahua Named Bluebell
This Isn’t Her First Role In A Disney-Owned Production
Before she started her rise toward becoming one of themost iconic dogs on TVby playing Betty on the ABC series, Hollywood canine Bluebell was most prominently known for her role as Wink inCruella. Belonging to Cruella’s associate Horace,Bluebell’s Wink made a strong impression early in the film during a montage showcasing the pup’s usefulness as a thief. Although at least some of Bluebell’s runtime was accomplished with CGI, she nonetheless stood out due to her unique look and her shaggy costume, which rivals Betty’s sweaters in terms of sheer adorableness.
Ramón Rodríguez could scarcely have picked a better co-star to name as his favorite. Not only does Bluebell warm fans’ heartstrings every time her oversized eyes appear onscreen, but her competent training is second only to the genuine bonds she appears to have developed with the cast. Betty’s interactions with Wilbur and Nico inWill Trentreveal more than a dog simply trained to perform tricks, but rather one who’s formed real attachments with her fellow actors. As those bonds strengthen over time, Betty’s fan appeal and importance to Will’s character are certain to continue growing as well.
Will Trent
Cast
Will Trent is a crime drama series that follows special agent Will Trent, who was abandoned at birth and raised in Atlanta’s foster care system. He becomes a dedicated agent with the highest clearance rate, driven by his experiences to ensure others do not suffer as he did.
