Tracker star Justin Hartley has revealed how actor Jensen Ackles came to be cast in the role of his character Colter’s brother Russell. Adapted from the novel The Never Game by Jeffrey Deaver, the show follows the character of Colter Shaw, a survivalist and tracker, who helps law enforcement and private citizens for reward money. The series debuted on CBS in February 2024, and its success led to an early Tracker season 2 renewal by the network the following month, and has received acclaim for its storylines and strong ensemble cast, which includes Ackles.
In an interview with CinemaBlend, Hartley spoke about the process that led to Ackles being cast in the role of Russell, and how the team-up between the two was long overdue. Detailing how they have been long-time friends, and he had always wanted to work with Ackles, Hartley talked about the need for a gap in Ackles’ schedule to finally make the appearance happen, and that it signified a perfect opportunity to “work with that guy.” Check out Hartley’s full comments on the issue below:
I try to give the people what they want. You know what I mean? And Jensen and I have been friends for so long, and we never got a chance to work together because the man is so damn busy. And then we’re always working in different places. That was perfect, too.
I thought, “What a great opportunity to work with that dude.” He’s so great. So talented and fun to work, funny. And a great role that we can bring back, and I thought, “Man, that’s kind of a special role. I think maybe I’ll make a phone call.”
Why Has Ackles Been So Busy & Will He Appear In Further Seasons Of Tracker?
Over the past two decades, Ackles has become one of the most recognizable faces on television, and his 15-season stint on Supernatural made him a household name. Working consistently on a show that ran for such a long time will doubtless have left Ackles with little time for other projects, and since the show ended he has gone onto appear in a recurring role as Soldier Boy in The Boys season 3, and is expected to reprise his role in the upcoming fourth season. With a busy and packed schedule, there is little surprise that Ackles was not in a position to commit to other projects.
Ackles plays the role of Russell, the estranged older brother of Colter, and the two characters have a tumultuous relationship, with Colter seemingly blaming his sibling for the death of their father, who fell from a cliff under suspicious circumstances. Among the plot points that need to happen in Tracker season 2 is establishing a connection between the brothers once again, and determining whether or not Colter now trusts his sibling. It seems very likely Ackles will return to the show again, and that Russell will play a prominent role in Colter’s story arc.
A show like Tracker provides a great opportunity for long-form storytelling, and this is something Ackles will no doubt be used to from his 15-year stint on Supernatural. Having such an established star on board is only going to be a positive step for the show, and the chemistry between him and Hartley already suggest that this is a fine casting choice. Whilst nothing is confirmed yet, and it depends on his schedule, viewers will be keen to see more of Ackles’ Russell in future seasons of Tracker.
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