Television fans have seen it before—big shows with big exits. But when a series like Tracker faces major cast changes, the spotlight naturally turns to the one constant: Justin Hartley. And guess what? His Tracker costar isn’t just staying quiet about it—they’re singing his praises loud and clear. In this deep dive, we’ll explore the cast shake-ups, what it means for the show, and why Justin Hartley might be the glue holding everything together. Whether you’re a loyal viewer, a curious newcomer, or a behind-the-scenes buff, there’s something here for you.
What Is ‘Tracker’ and Why Is It Gaining So Much Attention?
A Quick Recap of the Plot
Tracker is a fast-paced CBS drama following Colter Shaw, a lone-wolf survivalist and reward seeker played by none other than Justin Hartley. His mission? Track down missing people across America using his unique skill set.
A Hit Out the Gate
Debuting after the 2024 Super Bowl, Tracker became an instant ratings juggernaut. With gripping storylines, emotionally complex characters, and stunning visuals, the show quickly won over fans and critics alike.
The Cast Shake-Up: Who Left and Why
Major Departures That Shocked Fans
In a surprising twist for a series still early in its run, several key cast members departed the show. While exact reasons vary—from scheduling conflicts to creative redirection—the exits stirred up speculation and concern among fans.
Notable Names Who Exited
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Fiona Rene (Reenie Green)
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Abby McEnany (Velma)
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Eric Graise (Bob Exley)
Each had memorable roles that helped shape the heart and soul of Season 1.
The Fan Reaction: Mixed Emotions
The fandom, as always, had a lot to say. Some expressed disappointment, others stayed hopeful—one thing was clear: they were counting on Justin Hartley to anchor the ship.
Working on Justin Hartley‘s hit series Tracker has left quite an impression on one of the show’s guest stars. During an exclusive interview with Us Weekly, Hallmark’s Lachlan Quarmby recalled his guest appearance in season 1, saying, “Justin is awesome. He’s straight in there. He’s a real captain of that ship. That was a great time.” Quarmby, who was promoting his Hallmark trilogy, Providence Falls, walked away from the hit CBS series with a very positive experience. “I got to do an Australian accent. I was told when I was at acting school in Australia that I’d never play a surfer since I just don’t have the look. And I got to play a surfer in Vancouver, who was Australian,” he noted. “That was so fun.”
Most Iconic Guest Stars Featured on Justin Hartley’s ‘Tracker’ Series. Since Tracker premiered in February 2024, viewers have tuned in week after week to see fictional survivalist Colter Shaw (Hartley) travel the country to help solve various missing persons cases. As Colter has gotten help, the ensemble cast has grown with characters such as handlers Teddi (Robin Weigert) and Velma (Abby McEnany), hacker Bobby (Eric Graise) and attorney Reenie (Fiona Rene). The procedural’s case of the weak format means the show is always introducing new faces. Fans were surprised when executive producer Elwood Reid hinted at an onscreen reconfiguration before season 3.
“I don’t want the show to be phone-a-friend every week. I think that gets old, and Justin is always challenging me on that. He’s like, ‘Do we need to do this? Do I need to call Bobby all the time? Can I do this?'” Reid exclusively told Us in May. “You don’t [always] see Reenie. He talks to Velma for two seconds. He may talk to Bobby for one phone call. The show works because you are over Justin’s shoulder.” The procedural’s case of the weak format means the show is always introducing new faces. Fans were surprised when executive producer Elwood Reid hinted at an onscreen reconfiguration before season 3.
“I don’t want the show to be phone-a-friend every week. I think that gets old, and Justin is always challenging me on that. He’s like, ‘Do we need to do this? Do I need to call Bobby all the time? Can I do this?'” Reid exclusively told Us in May. “You don’t [always] see Reenie. He talks to Velma for two seconds. He may talk to Bobby for one phone call. The show works because you are over Justin’s shoulder.” While Quarmby was only brought in for one episode, he has remained booked and busy with projects such as Hallmark’s Providence Falls. The three-part movie event is based on the book series by Jude Deveraux set in 1844 Ireland. In addition to Quarmby, Providence Falls stars Katie Stevens and Evan Roderick.
“The character was already so fun right off the bat that from a personal point of view, it seemed really cool,” Quarmby told Us. “But then to just see how much love was getting poured into the project from the top down, it was just a no brainer.” Providence Falls’ three-part event premieres on Hallmark Channel Saturday, August 2, at 8 p.m. ET with Providence Falls: Chance of a Lifetime. Providence Falls: An Impossible Promise premieres on Saturday, August 9, and Providence Falls: Thief of Fate on Saturday, August 16, both at 8 p.m. ET.
