SPOILER ALERT: This interview contains significant spoilers from “Listening to a Heartbeat,” the thrilling Season 3 finale of ABC’s “Will Trent,” streaming on Hulu starting May 14.

In crafting the Season 3 finale of the acclaimed ABC crime drama “Will Trent,” creators and showrunners Liz Heldens and Daniel Thomsen aimed to deliver an unforgettable two-part event reminiscent of the intensity of “ER.” Their vision was to place all the key characters in peril, and they have certainly achieved this goal. By the end of the episode, the fates of two cherished characters are left precariously in the balance, keeping audiences on the edge of their seats.

The dramatic season finale unfolds as a bioweapons attack disrupts the city of Atlanta, executed by a domestic terrorist organization known as the Founder’s Front. As the central character Will Trent (portrayed by Ramón Rodríguez) and his dedicated team from the Georgia Bureau of Investigation and Atlanta Police Department race against time to neutralize this imminent threat and safeguard countless lives, Will grapples with the complicated dynamics of his biological family, particularly his newfound connection to Caleb Broussard (played by Yul Vazquez), a sheriff revealed to be Will’s biological father in the penultimate episode.

“It was an exciting challenge for us to create a massive episode filled with action, where Will had to go against his instincts and separate from his chosen family, all while they were in danger,” Heldens shares with Variety, highlighting the emotional stakes involved.

After Will’s dog sitter, Nico (Cora Lu Tran), falls gravely ill in a hospital, Will and Caleb venture to investigate the scene of a deceased homeless man. There, they uncover alarming evidence: plastic takeout containers in the vicinity have been deliberately tainted with Clostridium botulinum, a highly toxic bacterium that impacts the central nervous system. Meanwhile, Ormewood (Jake McLaughlin), Faith (Iantha Richardson), and Franklin (Kevin Daniels) are tasked with transporting the first batch of CDC-approved antitoxin from a secure warehouse to the hospital. However, their mission is compromised when a corrupt officer, affiliated with the Founder’s Front, leads them into a deadly ambush in an area devoid of GPS or radio signals.

The situation escalates dramatically when the terrorists take Deputy Director Amanda Wagner (Sonja Sohn) hostage in her own office at the GBI, demanding the release of another suspect from police custody in exchange for her life. Despite the imminent threat to Amanda, Will has no choice but to leave with Caleb to locate the lab where the bacterial toxin is being aerosolized. Fortunately, Angie (Erika Christensen), a detective who was hiding in the restroom during the attack, devises a clever plan to eliminate the terrorists in their offices. However, she is unable to prevent one of them from shooting Amanda in the chest, adding a shocking layer of tension to the narrative.

In a surprising turn of events, Ormewood, Faith, and Franklin successfully fend off a group of Founder’s Front members, aided by a van full of junior national archery champions present at the crime scene. These archers use their skills to launch flaming arrows into enemy territory, creating a dramatic and unexpected twist. Just when it seemed that one last gunman was about to shoot Ormewood at point-blank range, Will, having coerced a worker in the makeshift lab to reveal the ambush’s location, collides with the terrorist using his car, ultimately saving the day. The antitoxin is successfully delivered to the hospitals, but later that night, Ormewood, who has recently been diagnosed with a brain tumor, collapses unexpectedly in his kitchen, raising further concerns.

“The greatest challenge for us was to ensure that we retained the emotional depth that we have come to cherish in this series,” Thomsen reflects. “It was crucial to set up all these character arcs that could be either flourishing or failing simultaneously, allowing for a biological attack to occur amidst all these intertwined stories, keeping viewers deeply connected to the individual character journeys.”

As the team prepares to reopen the writers’ room for Season 4, slated to premiere in early 2026, Heldens and Thomsen delve into the emotional cliffhangers from the finale, discussing the implications of Angie’s pregnancy with Dr. Seth McDale (Scott Foley) on her future with Will, and the decision to introduce a new character as Will’s father while sidestepping a pivotal figure from the novels by executive producer Karin Slaughter.

In the gripping final moments of the finale, Amanda is left in a coma following a harrowing surgery, with Will desperately urging her to awaken, while Ormewood suffers a seizure in the home he shares with Faith. What led to your decision to end on these two shocking cliffhangers?

Liz Heldens: For Will, it felt significant that his father enters his life just as his surrogate mother is in grave danger. I was present on set during that [final] hospital scene, and I was genuinely moved. Even though it was 2:00 in the morning, Will has never expressed these feelings to her before. Their relationship is characterized by awkwardness around emotions, leaving much unsaid. As a writer, I find this dynamic intriguing. It was the first time we witness him articulating her importance in his life, acknowledging that she provides stability amidst the chaos of his rapidly changing world. This made for an authentic and emotional cliffhanger — and hopefully, he will be able to convey these sentiments to her once she recovers and can hear him.

Daniel Thomsen: Regarding Ormewood, the significant revelation about his tumor occurs at the end of Episode 14. We aimed to balance his journey; on one hand, he is making strides [to get his affairs in order], while on the other hand, he is somewhat in denial about seeking treatment, unprepared for the possibility of serious complications arising from his surgery. He is not ready to confront the harsh realities of what the tumor entails.

We thought it would be compelling to include a moment where he tells his children about his diagnosis — a powerful scene that was initially Liz’s idea and executed beautifully. As he mentally prepares to talk to his children about the tumor, he overhears them playing and teasing each other in the next room. At that moment, he reflects, “These are my kids. I love them so much. They are a part of me. I have to go change their world right now.” All of this creates an emotionally complex scenario. I believe there’s something dramatically intriguing about how this entire team has just saved countless lives, and now he deserves a moment of celebration before facing his inevitable fate, leading to a gut-wrenching clunk as reality hits him.

You introduced Greg Germann as James Ulster, a convicted serial killer who claimed to be Will’s biological father, at the end of Season 1. However, you later revealed Sheriff Caleb Broussard as Will’s real biological father in Season 3. Did you always intend to craft a different father-son narrative than what you initially presented to viewers? What motivated that shift?

Thomsen: We initially introduced Ulster, and his storyline closely mirrored the narrative from the books. At a certain point, we felt that this angle was too predictable, prompting us to pivot away from it. Additionally, Ulster lacks any redemptive qualities. While we enjoy writing his character and the dynamics he shares with Will, we recognize that there’s no emotional depth comparable to introducing a new character who has a genuine connection to Will.

We aimed to present Caleb as a different type of law enforcement officer, one with a unique methodology and philosophical approach to justice and duty. However, it’s evident that Will and Caleb share similarities, almost like two peas in a pod. One surprising aspect of Yul’s portrayal is that I initially expected there to be more conflict between their characters. Yet, as Yul brought Caleb to life, I found myself wanting to see more of their interactions. Consequently, our challenge in the upcoming season is to maintain some tension between them and prevent them from becoming overly close.

Heldens: I believe that James Ulster will have a perspective on Will discovering his true biological father, and that will serve as a compelling narrative for us moving forward.

Angie’s pregnancy with Seth’s child certainly complicates her on-again, off-again relationship with Will. Despite the unexpected news, Will still agrees to accompany Angie for her first ultrasound. Simultaneously, Angie’s journey into motherhood may provide her an opportunity to address some of the childhood trauma she endured at the hands of her late mother. What prompted you to pursue this storyline, knowing it would significantly alter Will and Angie’s dynamic forever?

Heldens: The relationship between Will and Angie truly represents the emotional core of our series. They have known each other since childhood, and in many ways, they are the only ones who truly understand one another. In the [their] final scene, as they gaze at the ultrasound, Will is filled with a whirlwind of emotions, while Angie experiences her own mix of feelings. Their conversation reflects their deep connection, as they finish each other’s sentences without needing to articulate everything verbally; they instinctively know what the other is feeling in that moment.

We have not yet discovered the element that will create a definitive rift between them. Even when he arrested her [at the end of Season 2], they managed to reconcile and work together on a case shortly afterward. We love writing scenes featuring them, as their chemistry is compelling. We are uncertain about where their relationship will ultimately land, but Angie embarking on this new journey seemed fitting for her character, and Will’s willingness to support her adds a delightful layer of awkwardness that resonates with our audience, making it a narrative ripe for exploration.

Is your writers’ room divided like the audience regarding who Angie should ultimately end up with?

Heldens: That’s an excellent question. For us, life continues to evolve for these characters. They grow and change; they’re not static. Everyone loves their dynamics both together and as individuals. We all want to witness growth and change, while also seeing them navigate friction. So, I’m not sure. We’ve never conducted a poll, have we, Dan?

Thomsen: I don’t believe we have. But I will highlight a moment from this season. When they were discussing plans to send Will undercover to infiltrate a cult [in Episode 12], there was a noteworthy scene where Angie expressed her reservations, saying, “This is a bad idea. I’m the only one saying this. Amanda, you’re his mother. Step in here.” Despite everything they’ve been through, her love for Will remains evident. There’s been much speculation about whether this will evolve into a romantic endgame. I’d be surprised if we could find something that would tear them apart, as they both navigate life together, but I’m unsure of what the final shape of their relationship will be.

As you look ahead to Season 4, what are your aspirations for the upcoming narrative?

Heldens: You’ve caught us at a moment of reflection as we seek inspiration, but we have initiated several developments. Will is set to explore the dynamics of his chosen family while grappling with the reality of the family that life has dealt him. Meanwhile, Angie is embarking on her pregnancy journey, and I am eager to see her navigating this experience [gestures a big belly] while being a fierce and capable woman.

Thomsen: Liz and I have a deep appreciation for broadcast television. We grew up with it and understand the importance of maintaining a stable ecosystem while seeking to introduce as much transformation as possible without disrupting what viewers love about the show. We’ve been discussing the impactful scene between Will and Amanda, where he expresses his feelings to her while she is under anesthesia. Had this happened in Season 1, I don’t think he would have been able to articulate those feelings. His growth has been significant, and this was the right time for this moment to occur. As we move into Season 4, we aim to explore new avenues for change for all the characters on the show.

Gina Rodriguez’s portrayal of District Attorney Marion Alba was a delightful addition to the cast, and I found myself genuinely rooting for her and Will before they decided to hit pause on their budding romance. Is there a possibility for her return next season?

Heldens: We adore her. She’s an extraordinary talent and a wonderful person. While I don’t have a definitive answer, the door is certainly open for her return. There’s no narrative reason preventing her from coming back.

Thomsen: I believe Will has unvoiced sentiments he wishes to share with her, and we hope for the opportunity to explore that. She’s a busy star!

Sara Linton is an essential character in the “Will Trent” book series, and discussions have taken place regarding her potential introduction into the screen adaptation. How do you navigate the creative conversations about what elements from the books to incorporate into the show and what adjustments are necessary to serve your narrative goals?

Heldens: A significant factor in our decision-making process was casting Erika Christensen as Angie. Once we witnessed the range and depth she brought to the character, it became challenging to ignore the potential of Angie’s narrative. My response is that it remains uncertain.

Thomsen: I feel our portrayal of Angie has evolved into a blend of both Angie and Sara, especially concerning her emotional relationship with Will. In the books, Angie is depicted as a harsher character who is not as beneficial for Will and lacks independence. We decided early on that our Angie needed to be more empowered, allowing viewers to invest in her character outside of her relationship with Will. I don’t have any concrete updates regarding Sara, but I feel that the current dynamics and the complexities of Angie’s relationship with Will, along with Gina’s ability to participate in ten episodes, made it unnecessary to introduce another character this season.

This interview has been edited and condensed.