Here’s Why a ‘Tracker’ Spinoff Isn’t Happening Right Now
When Tracker debuted earlier this year, few could have predicted the level of acceptance it has since achieved. After a solid first season, the popular CBS drama is returning for a second season, bringing the complicated family relationships of Colter Shaw (Justin Hartley) back into focus. Season 2 premieres Sunday, October 13 on CBS, and when it returns, Colter will continue to assist law enforcement and citizens alike in their search for their loved ones. The success of the show’s first season was so impressive, there was talk of a potential spinoff, and now, the Tracker showrunners are considering it.
Although the series has only been out for a year, Tracker has managed to achieve an impressive level of recognition in a relatively short time. Speaking to TV Line, showrunner Elwood Reid revealed that a spinoff wouldn’t be in the show’s best interests and so it wouldn’t happen right now. Reid’s objections were based on his analysis that a spinoff produced too soon could potentially harm the entire series. His comments included: “It’s funny because all my friends are like, ‘You have to start thinking about a spinoff.’ The second season is hard. I’ve seen that with shows, when they spin off too early, both shows have problems. The show is so special with Justin [at the center], so it’s really important that we continue to expand the world, expand the cases, and [expand] what Tracker can do in New York or Chicago, where they’re always solving a murder — I can go into any world, I can go into auto racing, I can go into Nashville, I can go into any world I want.”
Co-executive producer Ken Olin also echoed Reid’s objections to a spinoff at this point. There’s significant potential with perhaps delving into the early years of Colter’s parents’ relationship with the government, a prime example. With Supernatural’s Jensen Ackles starring as Colter’s brother Russell Shaw, and Blood and Treasure’s Sofia Pernas guest-starring as Billie Matalon, Tracker has no shortage of potential supporting roles. However, Olin suggests that if given the time, Tracker could very well be open to expanding into a spinoff.
“Elwood and I, we’re pretty happy doing this [a show]. It’s a weird spinoff. But it’s also like, things don’t break out that easily anymore…. I mean, look, Dick Wolf was really successful and all that, but those [shows] are old, too?”
While talk of potential spinoffs is exciting, especially with Tracker being considered, nothing is going to happen anytime soon. What’s going to happen is that, come fall, Tracker will be back with new episodes. However, the series will not have a full cast as it will lose a key member, Robin Weigert, who played Teddi Bruin in Season 1. As a key cog in the Colter operation’s wheel, Weigert’s absence in the upcoming series will be replaced by Fiona Rene’s Reenie, working closely with Teddi’s partner, Velma (Abby McEnany), according to executive producer Hartley, “At the end of last season, Reenie decided that she was going to leave her agency and go into business for herself. She had a big change in her life and in a way, she partnered with Velma and you’ll see a lot of scenes of the two of them working together, which is a really interesting dynamic.”
