Jensen Ackles Will Return to Tracker in Season 2, So Who Is Russell Shaw?
The CBS series Tracker, about Colter Shaw (Justin Hartley), a loner survivalist who finds missing persons for reward money, premiered in February 2024 to a lukewarm reception. However, the action drama struck enough of a chord with viewers who love formulaic procedurals with a twist that it was swiftly renewed for a second season, which is set to premiere on October 27, 2024.
Alongside the case-by-case nature of the series, there’s also an overarching story of Colter’s personal life and fractured relationship with his family. This includes the tragic death of his father, a brilliant survivalist who, after becoming increasingly paranoid, moved his family to the wilderness to live in isolation. His father tragically passed away under suspicious circumstances, which caused a long-time rift between Colter and the one person he was arguably closest to: his older brother Russell. That character, who had only been spoken about in name and seen in flashbacks, finally emerged at the end of Season 1, played by Jensen Ackles. And fans will be delighted to learn that Ackles will be returning to reprise the role in Season 2.
Who Is Russell Shaw in Tracker?
Russell Shaw is Colter’s older brother, one of three Shaw kids, alongside younger sister Dory (Melissa Roxburgh). When Colter was young, he searched for his missing father when he didn’t come home one night. He found his dad’s mangled body below a hill, and when he looked up, he saw his older brother Russell standing there. He assumed his brother was responsible for the death and cut ties with him.
While the now-adult Russell has repeatedly tried to contact Colter, he has been rebuffed every advance. Colter ignored phone calls and brushed off others who mentioned Russell was trying to contact him. Since Colter lives on the road, traveling from city to city and state to state, he isn’t easy to pin down. But Russell never stopped trying. It’s clear he has something to say, but Colter refuses to listen.
In the penultimate episode of the season called “Off the Books,” Colter finally relents to meeting up with his brother at the urging of his sister. Russell is quick to correct Colter and insist that he did not kill their father. He claims either his father fell or was pushed by someone else. Russell suspects the latter because he recalls seeing someone else in the woods that night. What’s more, he claims to have recognized the man as someone he had witnessed his mother talking to on another occasion.
The pair reconcile over beers and a fire, and while it might not be just like old times, the relationship is starting to repair. But Russell also has ulterior motives for reaching out. A friend of his is missing, and he thinks he’s in trouble. They both worked on a Special Ops team after serving in the military, and Russell believes he knows who might have his buddy and why. He wants his brother’s help because he knows Colter is good at what he does. He’s willing to pay; he just wants his friend to return to his wife and child.
The episode progresses as the two brothers put the past behind them and work together to solve a crime. It’s almost like a comical buddy cop movie with the straight and narrow partner and the more playful, more reactionary one. Both are fearless and don’t play by the rules types, but Russell has more unorthodox methods and is rougher around the edges. Nonetheless, there’s a lot of love (and history) between the men, and that shines through thanks to Hartley and Ackles’ on-screen chemistry.
How Could Russell Return in Tracker Season 2?
After Colter and Russell successfully save Russell’s friend in a deadly and dangerous scuffle, Russell thanks his brother and prepares to go on his way. Days later, Colter decides to visit the motel where his brother is staying to say a proper goodbye or at least spend some more time with him. They missed out on a lot of years, after all. But Russell is already gone.
However, he left a gift at the front desk for his brother, whom he knew would return to see him. Along with money to ensure that Colter was paid for the job he did, it’s also a sentimental gift: the knife their father gave Russell when they were kids, along with a note that reads, “Keep this safe for me.” It’s a sign that Russell is passing the torch to his little brother, but also that he deeply trusts him. The friend Russell needed help saving had once gone back to a kill site to retrieve that knife to protect Russell: it had his name engraved on it. The fact that he wanted his brother to have it speaks volumes.
What was Russell off to do? Having previously served in the military and spent time with that Special Ops team afterward, Russell is looking to live a less exciting life. He indicated he planned to make a good home-brewed beer, earn enough money selling it, and eventually open his own brewery. But not much else is known about his life. Signs, however, suggest that fans will get to learn more.
At the Television Critics Association summer press tour, Hartley confirmed that Ackles would be returning for the show’s second season. But he did not elaborate on how often Ackles would appear and in what context. “We got him,” he said. “He’s coming back. We’re having fun with that. It’s a great story.” The show’s executive producer, Elwood Reid, confirmed that Ackles would appear in at least a few episodes.
Where Things Ended in Tracker Season 1
There are logical reasons why Russell could end up back in the mix for Season 2. The first season ended with Colter connecting with an old childhood friend Lizzy (Jennifer Morrison) after her daughter went missing. Once he found her safe and sound, the two caught up a bit more, and Lizzy revealed some details about his father that Colter didn’t know. Most shockingly, that his father and her mother had been having an affair. A box of his things was left with her mother, who had recently passed away. Lizzy gave the box to Dory, which led Colter to wonder why she never bothered to mention it after having just seen Dory. Something’s fishy.
Colter is getting closer to the possible truth about his father’s death. It would stand to reason that he would reach out to his brother (and sister) for assistance in solving the one crime he hasn’t been able to solve. Especially since it’s likely that if Dory knows more than she’s letting on, so does Russell.
Hartley noted at the event that while Colter may now believe his brother didn’t push his father to his death, he also thinks Russell knows more than he’s letting on. “Does he think that he had nothing to do with anything or doesn’t have any knowledge about his father’s death?” he asked. “And that he’s completely in the dark just like Colter is? I don’t think that’s the case either.”
Ackles’ return for more than one episode is great news for fans of the actor who rose to fame with his lead role in Supernatural and delighted fans as Soldier Boy in the third season of The Boys. Ackles will next appear in the upcoming Prime Video thriller Countdown. Thankfully, he has some time to show up as Russell and help continue to tell the overarching, mysterious story that builds depth and layers to the otherwise closed-off Colter Shaw. Stream Tracker on Paramount+.
