It’s Officially the End of an Era for Justin Hartley’s Tracker

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Justin Hartley stars as Colter Shaw, a skilled tracker who travels the country helping people find missing persons or lost items. Each week, Colter tows his Airstream trailer to a new location, taking on a different case. The show follows him as he arrives in town and works to solve the mystery of what – or who – has gone missing.

Justin Hartley and the showrunner of Tracker, Elwood Reid, have hinted at major changes coming in Season 3 that will dramatically shift the show’s format. While the exact timing hasn’t been revealed, it appears Colter will be on the run from the law around the middle of the season.

Tracker’s Mid-Season Finale May See Colter Shaw Being Hunted

After a successful first episode, Justin Hartley and Elwood Reid have been discussing what’s coming up this season in interviews. A key plotline they’ve mentioned is Colter finding himself as the target of a hunt. Hartley explained that this is a new direction for the character, who usually does the chasing. He believes audiences will be intrigued to see Colter in a vulnerable position, being hunted instead of the hunter.

After the dramatic season finale, actor Hartley shared an idea he’s enthusiastic about for the show’s future. He told Variety he’d love to see his character, Colter, take on a seemingly normal job that quickly turns dangerous. The idea is that Colter answers a call about a reward, only to discover he’s walked into a trap. Over the past two seasons, Colter has made enemies of powerful people, any of whom might want revenge and be behind the setup. Alternatively, a completely new character could be hiring Colter with the intention of framing him.

Showrunner Elwood Reid recently told Us Weekly that it’s crucial to portray Colter as a vulnerable human being, not an invincible hero. He explained that CBS actually wants to see Colter get into trouble and face real consequences – even losing fights or getting injured. According to Reid, the network encourages these scenarios. He also hinted at a major turning point in the season 3 mid-season finale, revealing that Justin pitched a storyline where things don’t go well for Colter, suggesting Tracker will likely make a move against him at that time.

Justin Hartley Teased That Tracker Season 3 Will Find Colter in a ‘Sticky Situation’

Justin Hartley recently shared some insights into what’s coming up on the show. He explained that Colter is currently facing a difficult and dangerous situation, forcing him to rely on all his training and resourcefulness to avoid capture. For the first time, Colter will be the one running from the authorities, which Hartley described as a fresh and exciting direction for the series.

Colter clearly has a unique skillset that hasn’t been fully showcased yet. He’s already demonstrated expertise in close combat, weapons handling, and making explosives. While viewers often see his tracking abilities, it’s more than just following footprints. Colter excels at reading the land to understand past events and determine a target’s direction, and this relies heavily on his ability to think critically and make logical deductions. He can assess different possibilities to predict what likely happened and find the most probable path.

Colter is also skilled in first aid and always carries supplies like splints and blankets. His work takes him to challenging environments – from dangerous cliffs and snowy mountains to the world of crime. He had a unique upbringing, learning to survive in any situation from his father, who raised him off the grid. This likely means Colter is a capable hunter and knows how to find food. An upcoming episode will showcase these skills when he’s left to survive on his own in the wilderness.

Now that he’s on the run, Colter will need to avoid attention, possibly by disguising himself. He’s not the type to hide, though, so he’ll be working to clear his name while also staying ahead of the law – a tough situation even for a skilled survivalist. His Airstream trailer will allow him to live off the grid, hidden in the woods, but he’ll have to give up his phone and rely on cash, similar to the people affected at the beginning of Tracker‘s first season. This situation is sure to dramatically change the course of the story.

Who Could Colter Turn to While Evading Authorities?

Now that Colter is a fugitive, it will be difficult to reach him regularly. His lawyer, Reenie, will be working to prove his innocence. While Randy wants to help, his connection to Colter might mean he’s being watched, forcing Colter to seek assistance from people outside his usual circle to evade capture and figure out what’s happening. The showrunner, Elwood Reid, has confirmed that Tracker lost two main cast members before season three, but assures fans they’ll see many familiar faces return.

You know, I was reading an interview with the showrunner, Reid, and he mentioned an episode from Season 2 called “The Night Movers” that I immediately thought was brilliant. He pointed out that it introduces this fascinating concept – a group that helps people vanish and start completely new lives. He thinks there’s a lot of potential to revisit that world, especially with Colter trying to clear his name. While Colter isn’t likely to need to disappear himself, the Night Movers could be incredibly useful allies for him to go underground and stay hidden. It’s a really clever idea, and I’m hoping they explore it further – those longer story arcs are always the best!

Justin Hartley recently revealed that Billie will return for season three, but her motives are unclear. Will she be hunting Colter, or working alongside him? While Billie and Colter developed a close connection in season two, she’s primarily focused on her career. It’s possible she’ll take a new job as a way to find Colter, potentially ensuring his safety during an arrest. Alternatively, Billie might actively help Colter by investigating the case and uncovering the true killer. As a fugitive, Colter will face limitations, making a trustworthy investigator like Billie essential to handle tasks he can’t.

Over the past two seasons, Colter has encountered a few questionable characters. He once helped a mafia boss rescue her kidnapped son, preventing a gang war. She offered him a favor in return, which he declined, but she warned him that he might need her help later. This woman’s connections could prove valuable in Colter’s search for the truth. He also worked with Gina Picket, a retired police officer, on a difficult case. Despite being a former law enforcement officer, Picket wasn’t afraid to use harsh methods to get information and could likely assist Colter in clearing his name.

As a big fan of the show, I’m really hoping we see Jensen Ackles back as Russell! He’s such a fantastic, unpredictable character, and Colter could really use his help. But it’s looking tricky. He’s currently filming the The Boys prequel, Vought Rising, which is a demanding gig. If they wrap filming on that at the right moment, maybe, just maybe, he’ll have time to return to Tracker. It’s all about scheduling, honestly. Regardless of whether Colter finds an ally, this is going to be a huge turning point for the series, and I’m excited to see how it plays out.

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2025-10-31 01:37