CBS is only a month away from debuting the second season of Tracker, but Justin Hartley, who stars as Colter Shaw and serves as an executive producer, has already evidently confirmed the show won’t end after season 2. The action drama TV series, created by Ben H. Winters, revolves around Hartley’s Colter, a survivalist and expert tracker who makes a living by helping law enforcement and private citizens across the country. Following the Tracker season 1 finale, Colter returns in season 2 with more cases and a drive to finally solve the mystery of his father’s death.
Sadly, original cast member Robin Weigert won’t return as Teddi Bruin in Tracker season 2. However, every other series regular from season 1 is expected to reprise their roles (in addition to the return of special guest star Jensen Ackles as Colter’s brother, Russell, in a multi-episode arc starting in episode 2). So, fans still have a lot to look forward to in Tracker season 2, debuting on Sunday, October 13. The other good news is that Hartley teased that the producers have plans beyond season 2, suggesting season 3 might be a lock.
Justin Hartley Mentions Vague Plans For Tracker Season 3 Even Before Season 2 Premieres
While speaking with TV Insider in September 2024, star and executive producer Justin Hartley previewed what’s to come in Tracker season 2. He discussed Jensen Ackles’ return as Russell, the continued Shaw family mystery regarding Colter’s father’s death, and more. However, one of the more interesting parts of the interview came when Hartley might have accidentally revealed that CBS would greenlight season 3. When asked about how season 1’s results shaped season 2, Hartley said:
“Now that we’ve had all the success, you look at what really worked and what we want to do more of that we think the audience would want. You put those things over in one box, and you hopefully try to refine the project and the show and make it more streamlined. But you learn as you go, and I’m sure we’ll have the same thing after season two where we’ll do that.”
Hartley seems confident that CBS will renew Tracker for a third season. The actor implied that he and the other producers would likely have to reflect on season 2’s performance when planning season 3, indicating that the action drama has a future beyond its next set of episodes. CBS hasn’t confirmed that Tracker season 3 is a guarantee, but it wouldn’t be surprising based on its established success.
Why CBS Renewing Tracker For Season 3 Shouldn’t Be Surprising
Tracker Season 1 Was An Overwhelming Success
No one should be surprised if (and when) Tracker scores an early renewal for season 3. As a matter of fact, it’s shocking that CBS didn’t hand the series a multi-year renewal following its highly successful run of 13 episodes in early 2024. Even though it was in its first season, Justin Hartley’s Tracker was the most-watched show on network TV during the 2023–2024 season, which is reportedly the first time a freshman-year series has ranked number one since Survivor premiered in 2000. Of course, Tracker premiering directly after Super Bowl LVIII certainly helped its ratings.
It seems as though Hartley has struck gold twice, first with This Is Us and now with Tracker. NBC awarded This Is Us a two-season renewal following its extremely popular first season, and then the network handed it a three-season renewal two years later. It won’t be surprising if CBS follows suit with Tracker, especially if season 2 retains its impressive viewership totals and ratings.
