Stop us if you’ve heard this one: a TV show about a stoic loner who wanders the country righting wrongs is burning up the streaming charts. But here’s the twist: that show is not Prime Video’s Reacher. Instead, Tracker, which just concluded its second season on CBS, is currently climbing the rankings on Paramount+. The series stars Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw, a survivalist and tracker (of course) who earns a living as a “rewardist.” The series is currently ranked #6 and rising among Paramount+’s top TV shows: on top is Pierce Brosnan and Helen Mirren’s new crime drama, MobLand, while rookie soap opera Beyond the Gates, the just-renewed The Chi, Taylor
Sheridan’s new oater Landman, and venerable serial killer procedural Criminal Minds round out the top five. In its ascent up the charts, Tracker is emulating Reacher in yet another aspect, as the Lee Child adaptation is a consistent top performer for Prime Video, consistently topping its streaming rankings when a new season premieres. However, as a network TV series, Tracker has one advantage over its streaming “cousin”: while Reacher’s upcoming fourth season will be delayed until the first season of its new spin-off, Neagley, wraps production, Tracker is set to return to action next fall.
What Is ‘Tracker’ About? Tracker stars Hartley (This Is Us) as Colter Shaw. A man of no fixed address, Shaw is a tracker and survivalist who specializes in finding missing people, living off the proceeds of the resulting reward money. In this, he is assisted by a team of specialists: his handler Teddi Bruin (Robin Weigert, Deadwood), who was replaced by her wife Velma (Abby McEnany, Work in Progress) in the second season; hacker Bobby Ezley (Eric Graise, Locke & Key); and lawyer Reenie Greene (Fiona Rene, The Lincoln Lawyer). He also occasionally enlists the help of his siblings, Dory (Melissa Roxburgh, Manifest) and Russell (Jensen Ackles, Supernatural). Along the way, he’s also on the trail of the man who murdered his father, Ashton (Lee Tergesen, Oz). In the second season finale, Shaw finally found the man who pushed his father to his death, but he still has to unravel the mystery of why.
What if I told you that CBS quietly dropped a series that’s being called the “next ‘Reacher’,” racked up 89% on Rotten Tomatoes, and is now dominating the top of streaming charts?
Yeah, sounds like a plot twist, right?
But it’s real, and audiences are hooked. Let’s dive into how this gritty, action-packed series is clawing its way up—without the ‘Reacher’ label but with just as much punch.
What’s the Buzz About This ‘Reacher’ Dupe?
While it doesn’t carry the Jack Reacher name, this CBS series checks all the same boxes:
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Ex-military lead?
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Brooding antihero with a troubled past?
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Explosive action?
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A plot that doesn’t let up? Double
It’s being hailed as a spiritual successor, and fans of ‘Reacher’, ‘Bosch’, and even ‘Jack Ryan’ are swarming to it.
Why Is It Dominating the Streaming Charts?
This show didn’t just sneak onto streaming platforms. It pounced.
Here’s why it’s topping charts:
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Strong Word of Mouth: Viewers are calling it “surprisingly addictive”.
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Critical Acclaim: An impressive 89% Rotten Tomatoes score gave it major street cred.
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Binge-Worthy Format: Short, explosive episodes perfect for a weekend marathon.
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Smart Marketing: CBS dropped the trailer with zero fluff—just pure action, and it worked.
The Hook—Why Viewers Can’t Stop Watching
Ever watch something and suddenly it’s 3 AM? Yeah, this show does that to you.
It hooks you with:
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Twists that slap you sideways
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A lead character with real depth, not just fists
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Dark themes and moral gray zones—perfect for modern audiences
Meet the Star—The ‘Almost Reacher’ You Didn’t Know You Needed
The lead actor isn’t a household name… yet.
But with this performance? He’s getting there fast. He brings that classic Reacher energy—calm, calculated, brutal when necessary—but with a layered backstory that adds emotional weight.
What Sets This Character Apart?
Think:
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The charm of Jason Bourne
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The silent menace of John Wick
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The tactical mind of Jack Ryan
All wrapped up in one magnetic, mysterious package. You’ll find yourself rooting for him—even when you’re not sure if you should.
Action That Hits Harder Than Expected
This ain’t no PG-rated crime drama.
We’re talking:
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Gritty street fights
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High-octane car chases
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Dark alley interrogations
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Explosions that actually feel earned
It’s raw, visceral, and doesn’t hold back. If you’re craving real stakes and not another sanitized cop drama, this is your jam.
Streaming Success: Where Can You Watch It?
You’ll find it on:
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Paramount+ (where it’s currently trending)
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Amazon Prime (in select regions)
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CBS streaming app for early sneak peeks
And guess what? It’s gaining international traction too.
Let’s break down that shiny 89% score:
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Critics: “Gripping from start to finish”
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Audience: “Better than ‘Reacher’ and more believable”
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Consensus: CBS has struck streaming gold
Viewer Reactions That Say It All
Here are some real reactions:
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“I thought it was a knock-off. I was wrong. It’s better.”
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“Hooked after episode 1.”
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“More shows like this, please.”
The vibe? Shock, awe, and addiction.
Plot Summary Without Spoilers
Here’s the premise in a nutshell:
A former special ops soldier returns to civilian life, only to get pulled into a conspiracy involving corrupt officials, underground crime syndicates, and a personal vendetta that won’t stay buried.
It’s noir, it’s brutal, and it’s got layers.
Side Characters That Steal the Spotlight
From a sharp-witted journalist chasing the same mystery, to a morally ambiguous cop playing both sides—this series isn’t afraid to build a rich cast. Every character feels like they have their own show.
