Will Gina Rodriguez return in Will Trent Season 3? Showrunner shares disappointing update

Hold on to those detective hats—because if you thought you were going to see Gina Rodriguez once more as Special Agent Antonia "Toni" Marion in Will Trent Season 3, think again. The short and sweet answer? No, Gina Rodriguez won't be returning for season three. The news came straight from the mouth of Will Trent showrunner Liz Heldens herself.

According to Screen Rant, Heldens finally broke her silence in an interview, providing a blunt and somewhat disappointing report to fans hoping that Marion would return.

So what happened? Was the character not suitable for the new direction of the new season? Or was there another reason? According to Heldens, the reason they did not bring back Rodriguez was story-driven. As per Screen Rant, she said,

"Marion is not going to resurface before season's end. It’s funny… when we started [Season 3], we were like, ‘Oh, 18 episodes is the biggest order we’ve ever done!’ And then when we got to the end, we were like, ‘We don’t have enough runway for everybody.

She continued,

"I think that Gina Rodriguez is wonderful. She pops off the screen. We love her. It was an amazing experience to work with her, and I wouldn’t rule out her coming back in Season 4 at all."

While Toni Marion was a force to be reckoned with throughout Season 2 as a straight-talking, no-nonsense federal agent (and Will Trent's conflicted girlfriend), the producers are steering Season 3 down another route—a route that just plain doesn't involve her character. No angst, no word of behind-the-scenes drama—just a change of storyline.

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Why Gina Rodriguez is not returning to Will Trent Season 3

In her interview with Screen Rant, Liz Heldens clarified that Rodriguez's departure wasn't something that resulted from scheduling conflicts or creative choices having to do with production. It was about where the story would be going. According to Heldens, although they adored how much they could carry on Will and Toni, her character had come to a natural place to stop in the narrative framework they had for Season 3.

This news puts an end to speculations that had been going on since the Season 2 finale. Fans were left wondering if Toni Marion's character would be developed, especially after her complicated chemistry with Will Trent. However, the show's creative team appears to be focusing its lens on the main characters and adding new storylines that do not feature Marion.

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How the lack of Toni Marion was felt in Will Trent Season 3

The tension that Gina Rodriguez's character created was new for the show, especially as a federal agent who worked on cases that intermingled with Will's cases. Her absence might affect some of the detailed interpersonal dynamics that had started forming, but it also provides an open door for introducing new characters who can alter the dynamic once again.

From a storytelling perspective, her absence provides the opportunity for a more focused story on Will's ongoing personal and professional struggles. While some fans would miss this, other fans would appreciate a return to the series' roots, more intensely focusing on Will, Faith, and Angie's storylines without the added complication of a new love interest.

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What fans can expect in Will Trent Season 3

With Rodriguez stepping back, Season 3 is sure to explore other themes and perhaps explore the lingering plots more with the main cast. This shift can provide Faith Mitchell and Angie Polaski with more screen time and provide a better window into Will's growing sense of justice and self.

Also, the exit of Toni Marion might leave the door open for other characters to enter the fray. Whether that leads to new alliances, foes, or some other romance plotline for Will is unclear. What's clear is that the showrunners are thoughtfully planning where the story is headed next.

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While Gina Rodriguez will not be on screen for Season 3 of Will Trent, her departure does appear to be a neat and creative one, and not scandalous. Fans can look forward to new developments, unexpected twists, and a renewed focus on the characters that fans have grown up with since Season 1.

It is perhaps a sad goodbye to Toni Marion, but the mystery continues—and so does Will's quest.

Also read: Will Trent Season 3 Episode 14: Release date news, streaming details, and more