Every great show has drama on-screen—but for Tracker, some of the juiciest drama almost happened behind the cameras.
Unconfirmed industry chatter claims that Justin Hartley, the show’s lead and executive producer, almost didn’t return as Colter Shaw for season 3. The reason? Scheduling conflicts with a secret film project Hartley was attached to earlier this year. Insiders say that CBS executives were in panic mode, even discussing whether to delay the season or temporarily write Colter out of several episodes.
At one point, a shocking possibility was floated: a guest star might step in as a “replacement tracker” for a limited arc while Colter’s absence was explained away. That alone would have dramatically shifted the tone of the show. Fans, however, never got wind of this potential shake-up, and perhaps that’s for the best.
Ultimately, Hartley reportedly pushed to make it work, shuffling his calendar to prioritize Tracker. One source claims he told producers: “Colter is too personal to me. I couldn’t let someone else live in his shoes.” That dedication may explain why CBS has doubled down on marketing him as the heart and soul of the series, while Jensen Ackles’ Russell is being positioned as the exciting new co-lead dynamic.
Had Hartley not returned, the show might have risked losing its identity. Instead, this close call has fueled fan excitement even more. Viewers are now eagerly awaiting season 3, knowing just how close they came to missing out on their favorite rewardist.
