Iantha Richardson stars as Faith Mitchell in ABC’s Will Trent, based on Karin Slaughter’s New York Times bestselling book series. While covering the 2025 Disney Upfront red carpet, I spoke with the actress about how the show has challenged her and the opportunity to grow with her character.
Special Agent Will Trent of the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) was abandoned at birth and endured a harsh coming-of-age in Atlanta’s overwhelmed foster care system. Now, Will uses his unique point of view in the pursuit of justice and has the highest clearance rate in the GBI.
How has this role challenged you in new ways that you haven’t experienced on past projects?
Iantha Richardson: Consistency. I think, to be able to do a role like this every single day, five days a week, for eight months, I have never had to do that amount of work when it has come to acting. At times, there is a procedural rhythm to it, and at times, there is really heavy lifting when it comes to the emotional work, and so to be in it every day, it’s challenged me in amazing ways that I can’t wait to transfer further in my career.
Do you enjoy getting to grow with Faith and spend some real time with her? That, obviously, does not always happen; you sometimes have to close the book on a character too early and not see them evolve, but when you get to reprise a role, you have the chance to grow with them, not only as a person but as an actor.
I think it is so important to be able to do that because you feel like you’ve fulfilled a role or a job, like you’ve finished it, whereas some roles, you’re like, ‘Damn, I feel like there was more to say,’ or ‘I want to tell this version of a story.’ But especially in collaboration with our amazing showrunners, we get to be able to say, “What if she explores this? I’m feeling like she feels this right now,” and that is really, really special and important, I think.
Season 4 of Will Trent will debut in 2026.