Where was Will Trent filmed? Filming locations of the ABC's drama series explored

will trent
The ABC drama is filmed in Atlanta (Image Source: ABC)

One of ABC's latest hit TV shows, Will Trent, returned with its Season 3 in January 2025, featuring Ramon Rodriguez in the titular role of the Special Agent in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). While the show revolves around Trent's intelligence and crime-investigating abilities, it also dives into his difficult past.

Unlike most of his colleagues, Trent spent his childhood in Atlanta's foster care system. He even struggled with dyslexia, yet proved his skills and is now a well-known agent. Each episode of the ABC drama follows unique cases that Trent investigates and solves.

ABC's Will Trent comes straight from the best-selling book series by Atlanta author Karin Slaughter. It has garnered notable attention for its authentic portrayal and is among the few TV shows set and filmed in Atlanta.

That's correct. Will Trent is extensively filmed in Atlanta, Georgia, highlighting the city’s rich culture, diverse architecture, and vibrant streets. The production team ensured to stay true to the source material while also capturing the city just the way it is in the first season.

Continue reading to learn more about the show and the team's insights on filming in Atlanta, Georgia.


ABC's Will Trent is filmed in Atlanta, Georgia

The ABC show is in Season 3 (Image Source: ABC)
The ABC show is in Season 3 (Image Source: ABC)

The impressive portrayal of Atlanta in Will Trent has made the location feel like an important destination. The production team utilized the city's landmarks, neighborhoods, and unique spaces throughout the seasons, ensuring it looks exactly the way Slaughter has described in the acclaimed books.

Now that Season 3 is ongoing, fans can see more of Trent's crime-solving abilities and the glory of Atlanta. Co-showrunner Liz Heldens and location manager Patrick Rofoli prioritized filming in real locations rather than relying on generic sets.

Famous spots like the Bank of America Plaza, local landmarks including Johnny's Hideaway and Camp Twin Lakes, and neighborhoods like Virginia Highland and Inman Park are shown in the TV show.

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While talking about the idea of filming the show in the very city it has been set in, Heldens said:

"I loved the idea of shooting Atlanta for Atlanta. The books are set in Atlanta. Karin is from there. It was just natural."

The co-showrunner continued:

"The city is so vibrant and colorful. We wanted to take advantage of that … We just really wanted audiences to feel the heat, and we wanted to bring a Southern and gothic noir feel to the show..."

The team didn't just focus on the aesthetic neighborhoods in Atlanta but also focused on filming at locations with a mix of history and modernity. Since Will Trent is gritty and dark, locations like Underground Atlanta offered a perfect backdrop for capturing such scenes.

Additionally, filming also took place in areas like Camp Twin Lakes to align with Will Trent's world described in the book series. From the picturesque parks to the urban corners of Atlanta, the ABC drama has captured them all.

Also Read: Where was Prison Break filmed? All filming locations of the show explored


Actor Ramon Rodriguez had to learn the Atlantan accent to play Will Trent

The agent works at the GBI (Image Source: ABC)
The agent works at the GBI (Image Source: ABC)

As mentioned above, Ramon Rodriguez's character is from Atlanta, who grew up in the city's foster care system. Being a Puerto Rican star, it wasn't easy for Rodriguez to immediately craft the accent.

So, to develop the accent, they used André 3000 from Outkast as a reference not to mimic but to learn certain speech patterns and sounds common in Atlanta. The actor practiced by listening to the rapper's interviews and sound bites and was able to craft the voice of the titular agent.

Also Read: Where was Rebel Ridge filmed? A look at all the locations from the crime action thriller


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Edited by Sangeeta Mathew
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