- Justin Hartley reveals how long-time friend Jensen Ackles was cast as his character Colter’s brother in Tracker .
- Ackles’ busy schedule post-Supernatural has hindered his ability to commit to some other projects, but with how the season 1 finale left his character, the door is open for him to return in the in-development season 2.
- The chemistry between Ackles and Hartley suggests a great casting choice for Tracker , setting the stage for future seasons.
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.”
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.
