Why a Tracker Spinoff Isn’t Happening Yet, According to EPs
Showrunners for CBS’s action drama Tracker have revealed that a spinoff of the show isn’t happening right now. Based on Jeffery Deaver’s 2019 novel The Never Game, the series follows Justin Hartley’s character Colter Shaw, a lone wolf who assists law enforcement and civilians in their search for missing loved ones in exchange for money. The first season, which premiered in early 2024, was well-received, ending up being a huge success for CBS. And before Tracker season 2 was released, there were rumors of a possible spinoff.
Showrunners Elwood Reid and Ken Olin revealed to TV Line that a spinoff of the CBS show isn’t happening right now because they believe it wouldn’t be in the best interests of Tracker. Reid argues that he’s seen shows that spinoffs too early can hurt both the original show and the spinoff. Olin agrees with Reid, stating that they’re happy with where the show is at right now. Read their full quote below: Reid: It’s funny because all my friends are like, ‘You have to start thinking about doing it.’ Second seasons are hard. I’ve seen that with shows, when they do it too early, both shows have problems. The show is very singular with Justin [at the center], so it’s really important that we continue to expand the world, expand the cases, and [expand] what Tracker can do. Unlike a lot of other shows — unlike a cop show in New York or Chicago where they’re always solving a murder — I can go into any world. I can go into car racing, I can go to Nashville, I can go into any world I want. Olsin: Elwood and I, we were pretty happy to do this [a show]. It’s a weird show to spin off. But like, things aren’t as easy to break out anymore…. I mean, look, Dick Wolf was super successful and all that, but are those [shows] old too?
After its February 2024 release, Tracker quickly garnered a huge audience, eventually becoming the most-watched new series of the 2023–2024 seasons and beating out other popular shows like Chicago Fire, Grey’s Anatomy, NCIS, and even popular CBS sitcoms like Young Sheldon. The show has been incredibly successful for a number of reasons, most notably Tracker’s cast, which features many talented and familiar actors.
As several networks, and CBS in particular, have capitalized on the success of other hit shows like NCIS and FBI, continuing to build a franchise that has expanded the various worlds in which these shows exist, it’s likely that a Tracker spinoff will also debut soon. If a Tracker spinoff does indeed launch, there are a number of characters and directions that could be explored. One character who could potentially lead a Tracker spinoff series is Colter’s brother Russell, who joined the cast in full in episode 12 of season 1 and is also expected to reprise his role in the upcoming season. Russell is played by the talented Jensen Ackles, who has previously excelled in shows like Supernatural and The Boys. Another character who could lead a Tracker spinoff is Sofia Pernas, who plays Billie Matalon, a stagecoach and survivalist with skills similar to Colter Shaw.
