Erika Christensen has performed quite a few TV and movie roles, together with Julia Braverman-Graham on NBC’s Parenthood. Now, she’s portraying Detective Angie Polaski in ABC’s new detective collection, Will Trent, which premieres Tuesday, January 3, 2023, at 10/9c.
Will Trent is predicated on Karin Slaughter’s best-selling collection and options the title character(Ramon Rodriguez), who works for the Georgia Bureau of Investigations (GBI). Will has a novel approach of seeing instances based mostly on a traumatic previous in foster care, the place he met Angie (Erika Christensen.)
TV Fanatic chatted with Erika in regards to the attraction of the collection, Angie’s relationship with Will, and dealing together with her main males. Test it out under:
Inform us a bit of in regards to the premise of Will Trent and why you assume it would attraction to viewers.
It’s based mostly on Karin Slaughter’s bestselling books, and the collection follows Particular Agent Will Trent of the Georgia Bureau of Investigations. Will grew up in Atlanta’s overwhelmed foster care system and doesn’t need any extra kids missed.
A few of Will’s latest actions have brought on him to make some enemies, however he has the very best clearance within the GBI.
The collection additionally targeted on the difficult relationship between Will and my character, Angie, whom he grew up with. Nobody at work has discovered their relationship but, in order that’s actually enjoyable to play.
They’re shut mates and have this intense relationship as a result of they have been traumatically bonded from one thing that occurred to them way back. In addition they grew up with and had a historical past with a number of different characters. I used to be bought the minute I noticed the script.
Had you learn the e book collection earlier than getting the half? Are you aware how intently the collection follows the supply materials?
I had but to learn the books earlier than beginning the collection. Since then, I discovered it was a 10-book collection. From speaking to Karin, I believe I’m doing justice to the a part of Angie. We attempt to keep true to among the supply materials and have an inventive license to alter different storylines within the collection whereas protecting true to the center of the collection.
Inform us about your character Angie and the way she is totally different from different characters you’ve performed.
I play Detective Angie Polaski. After we meet Angie, she’s working at VICE. Angie’s assured and proficient at her job. She’s robust and hard and only some days sober.
She’s additionally acquired a tender spot, primarily for Will and the feminine victims she encounters at work, as a result of she had a traumatic childhood and recognized with these she’s attempting to assist.
Angie is attempting to navigate her life as a cop and take care of her traumatic previous, a few of which she shared with Will. Whereas they’re shut, it doesn’t essentially imply that it’s a wholesome relationship for Angie.
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Angie appears to have difficult pasts with each Will and Michael. What are you able to tease about that?
What’s fascinating about how we first meet these characters is there may be Will Trent, and Will Trent has an enormous secret, however he’s a hotshot detective. There’s Angie, the lady in his life, and he or she’s a hotshot detective, and you discover out that these two grew up within the foster care system in Atlanta.
The one different particular person they know from that point is presumably a sufferer and a suspect on this important case they only caught. So, it brings up a lot between the three of them. In the meantime, they’re on the clock, attempting to unravel this case.
Oh sure. Angie additionally has a previous with Michael, albeit a a lot shorter one, although among the points are comparable. They labored collectively on a previous case and at the moment are pressured to work collectively once more on this huge case.
What has it been like working with each of your main males?
Oh, it’s terrific. I don’t know if you realize that I’ve identified Ramon for over 15 years, so there’s a sure familiarity there. It actually helps to have that historical past while you play characters with a long-term historical past.
We’re tremendous snug collectively taking part in collectively on-screen, taking part in these characters. By now, I can decipher the character of Will Trent from my shut buddy Ramon Rodriguez.
Once I met Jake McLaughlin, who performs Michael, I knew we’d be mates instantly. We linked immediately, and he texted, providing to look at my kids. I’ve a lot enjoyable with each of them.
Will the homicide within the collection premiere be a season-long arc, or will there be totally different instances?
There will probably be a number of instances unfold out all through the season. Some will final a couple of episodes. You’ll see quickly why the homicide from the season premiere must be solved in a short time. I don’t need to give something away.
Why else ought to viewers watch Will Trent?
We’re about midway via filming the primary season, and each character will get fleshed out. You study extra about main and minor characters and their tales, which is fascinating.
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We’ve all these recurring and visitor stars, they usually’re actually making a world with these characters.
A few of these characters we might solely see for a couple of minutes, however they influence different characters and relationships, so it’s fascinating to see how the storylines unfold.
I like the distinctiveness of every of those characters and the way they evolve.
Will Trent premieres on Tuesday, January 3 at 10/9c on ABC. Verify again after the premiere for our overview.
Laura Nowak is a workers author for TV Fanatic. Observe her on Twitter.