CBS just gave Tracker fans the ultimate treat — and maybe a few chills too. The network confirmed that Derek Richardson has officially joined Justin Hartley in Tracker Season 3’s special Halloween episode, and insiders say it’s one of the most haunting, emotional, and unforgettable hours the show has ever produced.
Simply titled “The Hollow,” the episode takes Colter Shaw (Hartley) into one of his darkest investigations yet — a small mountain town with a history of disappearances, eerie traditions, and a terrifying urban legend that might not be so fictional after all. And right in the middle of it? Derek Richardson’s mysterious new character, a man whose past is tied to the town’s deadliest secret.
“It’s the kind of episode that gets under your skin,” Justin Hartley teased in an interview. “It’s less about jump scares and more about the feeling that something’s watching you — even when you think you’re alone.”
Richardson, best known for his sharp performances in Men in Trees and Anger Management, steps into a totally new space here. His character — a reclusive former park ranger named Simon Hale — is described as “a man running from both his memories and the truth.” Early reactions from critics who previewed the episode call his performance “unsettlingly good.”
The chemistry between Hartley and Richardson reportedly drives the episode, with both actors delivering a slow-burn dynamic that blurs the line between trust and fear. “They have this tense, almost brotherly energy,” said showrunner Elwood Reid. “You’re never sure if they’ll end up saving each other — or destroying each other.”
Adding to the buzz, the Halloween episode features some of the series’ most cinematic visuals yet: fog-drenched forests, flickering lanterns, and a chilling chase scene shot entirely under moonlight. It’s a visual departure for Tracker, leaning into psychological horror territory while keeping the grounded, emotional tone fans love.
“It’s Tracker like you’ve never seen before,” Reid teased. “There’s no escape, no safety net, and no one’s motives are clean.”
The episode’s trailer — which dropped unannounced on CBS’s social channels — sent fans into a frenzy within hours. One chilling shot shows Colter standing in an abandoned cabin, flashlight trembling as a whisper echoes his name from somewhere in the dark. Another shows Simon Hale (Richardson) silently carving something into the wood of the cabin door — the letters barely visible, but enough to spark a hundred theories.
Within minutes, hashtags like #TrackerHalloween and #WhoIsSimonHale began trending. Fans flooded Reddit threads with guesses:
“What if Simon isn’t real?”
“This feels like Colter’s mind breaking.”
“There’s no way this ends well — it’s Tracker, not Scooby-Doo.”
Insiders say the episode also hides a few emotional gut punches, with a final twist that could redefine Colter Shaw’s understanding of his own past. “It’s not just a Halloween gimmick,” Hartley clarified. “It connects directly to Colter’s trauma — and it’s going to matter for the rest of the season.”
Derek Richardson’s casting is already being hailed as one of CBS’s smartest moves this year, adding a grounded, unpredictable energy to the show’s core. “He brings that sense of unease,” one producer said. “He feels like a man who knows too much — and that’s perfect for Tracker.”
For fans of the series, this episode is shaping up to be the must-watch event of the fall TV season — a rare mix of suspense, emotion, and pure Halloween atmosphere that could make it one of the show’s most talked-about chapters ever.
So when the pumpkins start glowing and the shadows get longer, remember this: Colter Shaw’s next case might not be the scariest part — it’s what he finds inside himself that could haunt him forever.
