Justin Hartley may have entered Tracker as a familiar face from This Is Us but the way audiences are responding to his commanding presence on CBS’s breakout hit has shocked even longtime fans after just two seasons viewers are already calling him the “new Kevin Costner” a bold comparison that places Hartley among Hollywood’s most iconic leading men.
The chatter began online after a particularly gripping episode in which Hartley’s character Colter Shaw delivered both rugged action and raw emotion seamlessly fans flooded Twitter and Reddit with posts praising Hartley’s performance not just as strong but as legendary “He’s giving Costner energy in every scene” one fan declared while another wrote “if Yellowstone loses Costner for good CBS already has their replacement in Hartley.”
The Kevin Costner comparison carries heavy weight the Oscar-winning actor has defined American masculinity on screen for decades with roles in Dances with Wolves The Bodyguard and most recently Yellowstone to be called his successor is more than a compliment it’s a cultural coronation and Hartley seems to be stepping into that spotlight effortlessly.
What makes the fan reaction so striking is how naturally Hartley embodies that same blend of toughness and vulnerability Costner mastered Colter Shaw is not a superhero he’s a man haunted by family scars but determined to use his skills to save others that balance between grit and heart has turned Hartley into television’s latest obsession “It’s the way he looks broken and unstoppable at the same time” one fan posted “that’s Costner-level magic.”
Industry insiders are taking notice too several critics have remarked that CBS has found its new franchise face and that Hartley could very well be positioned for film roles traditionally dominated by actors like Costner “the audience trust is already there” one analyst noted “people see Hartley and they immediately buy into him as the hero they want to root for he’s walking the path Costner paved.”
Of course Hartley himself remains humble brushing off comparisons with a smile in a recent interview he said “Kevin Costner is a legend I grew up watching him if people see even a fraction of that in what I do I’m honored” but those close to the actor admit he has been both flattered and motivated by the chatter “he knows this is his moment” one insider revealed “and he’s working harder than ever to prove the fans right.”
As Tracker barrels toward its highly anticipated third season the buzz only grows stronger fans are already debating whether Hartley could carry a blockbuster movie the way Costner once did with many suggesting that Hollywood will come calling soon “He’s not just TV big he’s movie big” one fan insisted “give him the right script and he’ll own the box office.”
For now Hartley remains firmly planted in the role of Colter Shaw a character that has given him the rare opportunity to prove range charisma and longevity in a single performance but with fans crowning him the next Costner and critics echoing the sentiment it feels inevitable that Justin Hartley’s star is only going to burn brighter from here.
