Tracker has captivated audiences. Colter Shaw (Justin Hartley) is a tracker who has an ability to find just about anyone he sets his sights on. Working with local law enforcement and private citizens to find people who go missing, Colter has a loyal group of people who will happily work with him to help him try and do the best job he can. But with Season 3 on the way, Hartley hopes that we get to see a little bit more of the “nitty-gritty” of Colter Shaw’s life. Which, as he said before, he wants to see what happens when everyone isn’t on Colter’s side.
Season 2 had Colter finding some answers about the death of his father, Ashton Shaw (Lee Tergesen). But at what cost? He was home with his mother, Mary Dove Shaw (Wendy Crewson) who asked him to let the death of his father go after it was revealed that Colter’s brother Russell (Jensen Ackles) didn’t push their father off a cliff, as many believed. But Dory (Melissa Roxburgh) gave Colter a box of loose ends to try to figure out what happened and Hartley told Variety that the next season will get into what was going on with Colter’s parents. “I know we’ll get to the nitty-gritty of why my mother hired this guy,” Hartley said.
“Was she protecting her kids? Was an affair happening? Was the government involved? Was it strictly just my mother? Why did she hide that from us for so long? Why did she lead me to believe that it was my brother who was involved when he wasn’t?”
Hartley went on to talk more about Colter’s mother. “It seems like this divide-and-conquer thing that she’s doing. It was just an odd thing to do with your children. There’s some deep psychosis there. We’ll unpack that.” The finale for Season 2 allowed us some answers and satisfaction but those answers then led to more questions, which is something that Hartley says he loves about the series. “One of the things I love about our show is it seems like every time we answer a question, there are five more questions,” he said, saying that Colter Shaw is “getting deeper and deeper.”
If you thought the first two seasons of Tracker peeled back the layers of Colter Shaw’s enigmatic past, buckle up. According to the creators, Season 3 is set to dive into even darker territory — the kind that whispers of trauma, secrets, and, as one exec put it, “some deep psychosis.”
But what exactly does that mean for viewers? Let’s break it all down and explore how Tracker is evolving from a gripping procedural into a psychological powerhouse.
What Makes ‘Tracker’ So Addictive?
Before we dive into Season 3, it’s worth asking: why are we all obsessed with Tracker in the first place?
The Mystery Behind the Man
Colter Shaw isn’t your average TV protagonist. He’s a reward seeker, a wanderer, and a man on a mission—but it’s not just the missing people he’s chasing. It’s ghosts of his past.
The Blend of Crime and Character Drama
Tracker has always nailed that balance between thrilling case-of-the-week plots and slow-burn character development. You never just get a missing person—you get the story behind the story.
Season 2 Left Us With Questions—Lots of Them
Season 2’s finale hinted at something more profound than just unresolved family drama. We got flashes of trauma, hints at paranoia, and an emotional breakdown that left fans reeling.
Colter’s Breaking Point?
He’s usually calm, calculated, and methodical. But the last few episodes showed a man unraveling. Was it stress? Or are we seeing a deeper, more disturbed side of him?
Season 3 Promises to “Go Deeper” — But How Deep Are We Talking?
According to series showrunner Ben Winters, Season 3 is going to be introspective. That’s not just code for flashbacks—it’s a full-on psychological excavation.
The Line Between Hero and Anti-Hero
We’ve always rooted for Colter, but what happens if we start questioning his motives? What if his version of justice is blurred by delusion or unresolved trauma?
Flashbacks and Trauma Triggers
Insiders confirm we’ll see extended flashbacks to Colter’s childhood, with particular focus on his survivalist father and strained relationship with his brother. These flashbacks won’t be decorative—they’ll be raw, intense, and possibly disturbing.
The “Deep Psychosis” Quote Everyone’s Talking About
Who Said It, and Why It Matters
That jaw-dropping phrase—“There’s some deep psychosis there”—came straight from a behind-the-scenes interview with lead actor Justin Hartley. And no, he wasn’t joking.
Actor Insight = Character Evolution
Hartley’s take on Colter suggests we’re heading into territory rarely explored on broadcast TV: mental health not just as a subplot, but as a central narrative driver.
Exploring the Shaw Family Dysfunction
The Father’s Legacy
Colter’s dad, Ashton Shaw, was a prepper, a survivalist, and perhaps a paranoid genius. Season 3 will dissect how growing up under his control shaped Colter’s worldview—and maybe damaged him irreparably.
A Brother’s Burden
Russell Shaw is expected to play a larger role this season, and his dynamic with Colter is described as “volatile.” Could old family wounds resurface with explosive consequences?
A Psychological Thriller in Procedural Clothing
Less About the Cases, More About the Case of Colter
While Season 3 will still deliver the high-stakes manhunts fans love, the emotional weight will rest squarely on Colter’s internal unraveling.
Will Viewers Turn Away or Lean In?
This shift could alienate casual fans. But those craving richer, darker storytelling are likely to be hooked harder than ever.
Breaking Down What “Going Deeper” Might Look Like
Dream Sequences & Hallucinations
Don’t be surprised if reality begins to blur. Think surreal dream sequences, hallucinations, and unreliable narration—all tools to explore Colter’s crumbling psyche.
Therapy or Self-Destruction?
Will Colter seek help, or spiral further into isolation? Either way, it’ll be fascinating (and painful) to watch.
Themes of Identity and Delusion
Is Colter Who He Thinks He Is?
One rumor floating around the writer’s room is that Season 3 may challenge Colter’s entire narrative. Did his father really prepare him for the world—or did he break him?
How Far is Too Far?
There’s a delicate balance between humanizing a character and exposing them as potentially unstable. Tracker Season 3 plans to toe that line.
What This Means for the Future of ‘Tracker’
A Genre Evolution
Tracker may be shifting from a traditional procedural to something closer to a psychological drama—think Mindhunter meets The Fugitive.
More Than a Missing Person Show
If done well, this transformation could elevate Tracker to prestige-level television. But it’s a bold risk.
Conclusion: Welcome to Colter’s Mind—It’s Dark In There
Season 3 of Tracker won’t just challenge Colter Shaw—it’s going to challenge us. What if our favorite hero isn’t just haunted by his past but shaped—or shattered—by it? We’re not just watching a man solve crimes anymore. We’re watching him confront the monsters in his own mind. And that’s the kind of television that sticks with you.
