Summary

• Mark-Paul Gosselaar is unlikely to return as Paul in "Will Trent" season 2 due to scheduling conflicts.
• Gosselaar's character, Paul, shares a complicated past with Will, adding depth to the protagonist's storyline.
• Gosselaar's return in season 2 could enhance the show's success, especially after the premiere's shocking ending.

The Will Trent series premiere came out of the gate swinging with special appearances by Mark-Paul Gosselaar and Jennifer Morrison, with Gosselaar continuing to show up sporadically throughout the rest of season 1, but an update regarding his involvement in season 2 is rather disappointing. The ABC police procedural crime drama television show revolves around a unique agent in the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI) with various special talents and a traumatic past — Will Trent, played by Ramón Rodríguez. One of the people from the protagonist's horrific childhood was Gosselaar's character, Paul Campano.

Gosselaar, known for his iconic role as Zack Morris in Saved by the Bell, likely won't return as Paul in Gosselaar would appear in any Will Trent season 2 episodes. Unfortunately, it sounds like Paul's return is not in the cards for the second season since Gosselaar is busy with his new series — Found on NBC. The producers explained:

Thomsen: We want to [have Gosselaar back]. I mean, we're super thrilled that his show is doing well. Really happy for him. We worked with him on [Fox's] The age, as well, and he brings so much.

Heldens: We're doing our best with this 10-episode order.

Mark-Paul Gosselaar's Paul Campano Was A Will Trent Season 1 Highlight

At first, it seemed as though Mark-Paul Gosselaar's Paul was an arrogant jerk who happened to be the father of the missing girl Will was trying to find in the Will Trent series premiere. However, as the pilot continued, it became clear that Will and Paul shared a complicated past, as they knew each other while growing up in the same group home. The two weren't friends as kids, though, as Paul was Will's bully and made his time in foster care even harder than it already was. Consequently, Will and Paul didn't get along as adults either (at first).

With Will's newfound struggles regarding the discovery of his parentage, it would be helpful if he had Paul to rely on as he processes it all.

Will ultimately saved Paul's daughter, which made him eternally grateful to the GBI agent. Although Paul's character came off as rude and egotistical at first glance, he was much more complicated than that, which Will began to realize after they reconnected. Gosselaar reprised his role as Paul in a few more episodes in season 1 to help Will on a case and to bond over their shared trauma. Sadly, one of the questions looming over Will Trent season 2 is if the producers and Gosselaar can line up their schedules to bring the actor back.

Will Trent Season 2 Would Benefit From More Of Mark-Paul Gosselaar (Even If It's Unlikely)

Given that Will Trent season 2 will only consist of 10 episodes, it makes sense why the producers and Mark-Paul Gosselaar wouldn't be able to make his return work in that short allotted period. However, Gosselaar making an appearance (whether big or small) would undoubtedly elevate the season. The writers set this batch of episodes up for success after the shocking ending of Will Trent season 2, episode 1, and Paul's return to the show could make this season even better than it already has been so far.

Like Angie Polaski, Paul can relate to Will on a level that most people can't. Their similar upbringings led to a complex bond that is one of the show's highlights (especially since the two characters are the definition of complete opposites). With Will's newfound struggles regarding the discovery of his parentage, it would be helpful if he had Paul to rely on as he processes it all. But even if Gosselaar doesn't reprise his role as Paul in season 2, hopefully, the actor and the producers can make it work for Will Trent season 3 (if ABC renews the series).

New episodes of Will Trent season 2 air on Tuesdays at 8 p.m. ET on ABC.

Source: TVLine