Tracker Season 2 Is Changing Jensen Ackles’ Russell Shaw & I’m Okay With It Jensen Ackles returns as Russell Shaw in Tracker season 2, and according to executive producer and star Justin Hartley, Russell’s role will evolve in upcoming episodes, which makes me even more excited for the season. The CBS action-drama, created by Ben H. Winters and based on the 2019 book The Never Game by Jeffery Deaver, follows Hartley as Colter Shaw, Russell’s older brother. Colter is a survivalist who uses his impressive tracking skills to find people and/or objects. Colter’s character is more than his job, however, as viewers will learn through flashbacks to his childhood in season 1. Colter is very much defined by his traumatic past, which is why his relationship with his brother is so strained. Tracker season 1, episode 12, “Off the Books,” introduces Ackles as Russell, a man Colter hasn’t seen or spoken to in 20 years. Colter believes Russell is responsible for their father’s mysterious death. However, Russell still insists that he had nothing to do with the supposed murder. The truth remains undisclosed (for now), but the topic will certainly come up again when Russell returns in Tracker season 2. This time, Russell isn’t holding back.
In an interview with TV Insider to preview Tracker season 2, Justin Hartley discussed Russell’s role in the upcoming episodes. While Jensen Ackles’ Tracker character was limited to just one episode in Tracker season 1, he’ll be appearing in multiple episodes in season 2. So Russell will have room to grow as a character and show his heroic side. “Russell comes back and Colter has a few questions for him about this Dory situation and the box she has and does Russell know where it is? Russell is pretty heroic in episode 2 as well, and they get involved in a really dark operation, which is weird,” Hartley said.
Tracker season 2 hasn’t even debuted on CBS yet, but star and executive producer Justin Hartley seems to have confirmed that the show has a future beyond season 2. The mystery surrounding Ashton Shaw’s death will continue in Tracker season 2 (as if anyone was skeptical), as Ackles reprises his role in episode 2. Russell’s return seems to mean the two brothers will share the heroic role, and I’m excited to finally see Ackles in action on the CBS series. As some may recall, Russell didn’t get a chance to show off his fighting skills in season 1. Colter was the real hero, while Russell’s impact wasn’t as significant or as heroic. However, Russell’s role is changing in Tracker, and that’s for the best for his character.
