As CBS gears up for the highly anticipated return of Tracker Season 2, a fresh batch of promotional photos has just been released—offering fans a first look at what the world of Colter Shaw looks like after one of the show’s biggest departures. The new stills, taken from the upcoming premiere episode titled “Out of the Past,” reveal a mix of familiar faces and subtle shifts in tone and energy, all hinting at how the series plans to move forward following the exit of Robin Weigert’s Teddi Bruin.
At first glance, Justin Hartley’s Colter Shaw still commands the spotlight. Standing tall, rugged, and as determined as ever, Hartley continues to embody the lone survivalist whose unique set of skills makes him indispensable in solving missing person cases across America. Yet even the untrained eye can notice that something in these new images feels different — an absence that’s quietly but unmistakably felt. Teddi Bruin, a fan-favorite character played by Robin Weigert and one-half of the Bruin duo who provided Colter with logistical and emotional backup, is nowhere to be seen.
Season 1 of Tracker introduced Teddi and her wife Velma (played by Abby McEnany) as Colter’s behind-the-scenes partners, managing his cases, handling calls, and keeping him connected to civilization while he roamed the wild. Teddi’s grounded, often humorous pragmatism served as a perfect counterbalance to Colter’s restless energy. Her absence, then, is more than just a missing character — it’s a tonal shift that changes the emotional chemistry of the entire group. CBS has since confirmed that Robin Weigert will not return as a series regular for Season 2, sparking speculation about how the show will fill the void.
In the new photos, we see Colter surrounded by a slightly restructured core team. Reenie Greene (Fiona Rene), Velma Bruin (Abby McEnany), and Bobby Exley (Eric Graise) are all present, suggesting that the team dynamic remains largely intact on paper. In one striking shot, the trio is pictured together in a tech-filled workspace, their expressions reflecting both determination and unease. Another photo shows Colter in the field — alone, eyes fixed on the horizon, suggesting an internal conflict brewing beneath his stoic exterior. Without Teddi’s guiding voice on the line, Colter’s isolation feels sharper, the stakes higher.
The title of the premiere episode, “Out of the Past,” seems intentionally chosen. It suggests a return to old wounds and unresolved storylines that may tie directly into Teddi’s absence. While CBS has been tight-lipped about specific plot details, sources close to the production hint that the season’s early episodes will address the team’s adjustment to a “new normal” while Colter faces a case that hits uncomfortably close to home.
Stylistically, the released images maintain the same cinematic visual palette that made Tracker Season 1 such a standout — saturated amber tones, moody natural lighting, and a texture that feels part documentary, part Western thriller. But there’s also a subtle shift: the compositions lean more heavily on Colter’s solitude, framing him against vast landscapes and shadowy interiors that emphasize both his strength and vulnerability. The tone feels more introspective, as though the show is evolving from a straightforward procedural into something more character-driven.
Behind the camera, series creator and showrunner Ben Winters remains at the helm, ensuring that the show’s blend of mystery, emotional resonance, and survivalist grit stays intact. Justin Hartley, who also serves as an executive producer, has teased that Season 2 will dive deeper into Colter’s personal backstory — particularly his complex relationship with his family and the lingering trauma of his father’s death, which drove much of Season 1’s emotional arc. “This season really tests who Colter is when the people he relies on aren’t always there,” Hartley told Entertainment Weekly in a recent interview. “He’s always been good at helping others find their way. Now he’s got to figure out if he can do the same for himself.”
Another element teased in the promotional rollout is the introduction of new guest characters, some of whom may step into supporting roles vacated by Teddi’s absence. While CBS has not officially announced who these newcomers are, early rumors suggest that at least one recurring character will challenge Colter’s methods — potentially serving as both an ally and a foil. The photos hint at a mysterious woman appearing in multiple frames beside Colter, sparking fan theories that she could become the show’s new emotional anchor or even a romantic interest.
For fans worried that the departure of a core character might derail the show’s momentum, the creative team seems confident. Abby McEnany’s Velma, who shared nearly every scene with Teddi in Season 1, is expected to receive expanded screen time as she navigates life without her partner by her side. The new images show Velma in both professional and deeply personal moments — suggesting that her storyline will not only explore grief but also resilience and rediscovery. Meanwhile, Reenie Greene continues to serve as the team’s sharp-minded strategist, and Bobby Exley brings his signature charm and quick wit to the mix.
What’s especially intriguing about these images is how they balance continuity with evolution. Tracker was never just about missing people — it was about the act of searching itself, both externally and internally. And in many ways, Teddi’s departure mirrors Colter’s own life philosophy: people come and go, but the search never stops. This idea, now reflected in the show’s visual storytelling, gives Tracker a renewed sense of purpose.
In one of the most striking photos, Colter stands at dawn beside his signature silver Airstream trailer, the rising sun behind him. It’s a powerful visual metaphor for renewal — a man moving forward despite the losses behind him. Another image shows him mid-conversation with Velma, their expressions tense yet compassionate, as though they’re still finding their rhythm without Teddi’s voice between them. It’s these quiet, human moments that suggest Season 2 may delve deeper into the emotional core of its characters, transforming Tracker from a procedural into a fully realized character study.
Fans of the series will also notice that the production design and cinematography appear more ambitious this time around. The landscapes are wider, the color grading warmer, and the camera lingers longer on Colter’s reactions. Each photo feels like a glimpse into a larger cinematic universe — a promise that Tracker is no longer content to play it safe.
CBS’s confidence in Tracker is well-placed: the show quickly became one of the network’s most-watched dramas after its premiere, averaging over 10 million viewers per episode and ranking among the top new series of 2024. With that kind of success, expectations for Season 2 are understandably high. But based on these first-look images, it seems the creative team isn’t shying away from change; they’re embracing it.
Ultimately, the absence of Teddi Bruin may mark the end of an era for Tracker, but it also signals a new creative direction — one where Colter must learn to rely on himself more than ever before. As the tagline of the new season poster teases, “Every trail leads somewhere. But some paths must be walked alone.”
If these photos are any indication, Tracker Season 2 isn’t just about what’s been lost — it’s about what can still be found. And for Colter Shaw, that search has only just begun.
