Tracker‘s success on CBS means it could get a spinoff – but which character in particular is in consideration to lead their own series? After the season 2 finale aired on Sunday, May 11, executive producer Elwood Reid exclusively told Us Weekly that expanding Tracker would be a dream, adding, “Come on, you got to tell CBS that.” The show’s creative team isn’t in a rush though – for a very specific reason.
“There’s been a lot of shows that spin off incorrectly. The same level of care and craftsmanship that you see in Tracker has to be considered. My first rule of writing any show is, ‘Don’t do any harm to the main show. Don’t siphon something off,'” Reid, 58, hinted. “But at the same time, you have to make whatever you’re doing as good and as thoughtful.” ‘Tracker’ Season 3 Will Likely Be ‘Reconfiguring’ the Team: What to Know. Reid acknowledged that Tracker’s record-breaking viewership makes the perfect case for creating more shows in the same universe.
“Tracker is just one of those weird magic shows that came together. It resonated with people because there’s an emotional accessibility to that,” he continued. “You need that for any spinoff you do. You need someone who’s emotionally there and available. The stories can be surprising and fun.” Reid has spoken to star and fellow executive producer Justin Hartley about branching out, telling Us, “If the right idea comes by, we’ve had some loose ideas for spinoffs. If and when we are lucky enough to be able to do that, we have to do it in a way that is as good – if not better – than the original.” Tracker, which premiered in February 2024, quickly found success after being coined the most-watched broadcast premiere since NCIS‘ final episode with Mark Harmon in September 2021. Its average viewership was reported to be 18.2 million per episode, according to Paramount+ and broadcast measurements.
Variety‘s annual list of the year’s 100 most-watched primetime telecasts revealed that Tracker episodes earned 15 top spots. Despite making Us wait 11 weeks for new episodes, the second season dominated viewership with the season 2 premiere bringing in 8.3 million total viewers – a nearly 10 percent increase in viewership from the season 1 finale. The season 2 premiere also marked the show’s highest audience since the series debuted in February 2024 after the Super Bowl.
The hit CBS series Tracker has captured hearts and ratings with its high-stakes searches and compelling lead, Colter Shaw. But what if we told you that the Tracker universe might just be getting bigger?
Yep, whispers in the entertainment world suggest that spinoffs are on the table. And not just any spinoffs – potential bangers. So, the real question is: who’s worthy of their own spotlight? Let’s unpack everything, from the show’s magnetic side characters to the wildest (but totally possible) directions CBS could take. Grab your magnifying glass – we’re tracking down the best Tracker spinoff ideas.
What Makes Tracker So Spinoff-Worthy?
A Standout Lead, But a Deep Bench
Tracker may orbit around Justin Hartley’s Colter Shaw, but the show’s real magic lies in its colorful ensemble. Each episode teases deeper stories, unexplored histories, and personalities begging for more screen time.
Viewer Obsession + Franchise Potential
Let’s be honest—Tracker fans are loyal. They binge. They theorize. They tweet. It’s the kind of passionate fan base that studios drool over when dreaming up spinoff potential.
Top Characters Who Could Lead a ‘Tracker’ Spinoff
1. Reenie Greene – The Tech Genius Behind the Curtain
You know her—the voice on the other end of Colter’s calls. Reenie’s skills with surveillance, hacking, and tracking make her more than just a sidekick. A show focused on her could be a cyber-thriller meets real-world crime drama.
Plot Idea
Think Mr. Robot but with purpose. Reenie could help people online, uncover digital crimes, or even run a freelance operation out of her mysterious HQ.
2. Bobby Exley – The Ex-Military Muscle With Secrets
Colter’s occasional muscle, Bobby has layers we haven’t even scratched. A spinoff about his past? Instant hit.
Plot Idea
Set between covert ops and off-the-grid justice, Bobby’s show could blend Reacher vibes with a redemption arc.
3. Colter Shaw’s Family – The Prequel We Didn’t Know We Needed
Let’s rewind. What about a prequel series exploring Colter’s twisted family dynamics, survivalist upbringing, and how he became who he is?
Plot Idea
Dysfunctional genius family? Check. Isolated forest survival school? Check. Hidden truths and early tracking missions? Sign us up.
4. Legal Eagle – Lizzy Moore Gets Her Shot
Every rogue needs a friend in the system. Colter’s legal contact, Lizzy Moore, has that perfect balance of idealism and fire. A legal procedural with edge.
Plot Idea
Think The Good Wife meets Tracker—every case with emotional stakes and deep personal cost.
5. Colter Shaw Goes Global – A Spinoff with a Twist
Instead of a new character, what if Colter got a spinoff where he leaves the U.S. to help with international cases?
Plot Idea
Tracking stolen kids in Europe, solving political kidnappings in Asia, and teaming with MI6? This could give Tracker a Jason Bourne twist.
Why CBS Would Be Smart to Expand the ‘Tracker’ Universe
The Ratings Don’t Lie
Since its premiere, Tracker has pulled impressive numbers for CBS. High ratings = hungry execs. And the trend shows no sign of slowing.
Fans Want More (And They’re Saying It Online)
Scroll through Twitter or Reddit and you’ll see fans shipping characters, writing fanfics, and begging for more backstories. That’s fuel for spinoff fire.
The Procedural Format Is Perfect for Expansion
Unlike serialized dramas, Tracker lends itself to modular storytelling. That means more opportunities to drop a new character into new situations and still keep the format fans love.
3 Wildcard Spinoff Ideas That Could Actually Work
1. Tracker: Cold Cases
Colter joins (or leads) a unit dedicated to solving cases that have gone cold for decades. Emotional. Gripping. Binge-worthy.
2. Tracker: The Next Generation
A younger protégé trained by Colter begins their own journey, blending old-school skills with tech-age intuition.
3. Tracker: Urban Jungle
Set in the chaotic sprawl of a major city, a gritty detective inspired by Colter uses unconventional methods to find the missing. Grittier. Darker. Think The Wire meets Tracker.
What the Fans Are Saying
Social Buzz Is Real
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“Reenie deserves her own series. Period.” – Twitter user @techiequeen
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“I’d totally watch a Tracker prequel with Colter’s crazy family.” – Reddit thread, r/CBSFans
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“Bobby’s past as a Navy SEAL? CBS, stop sleeping on this!” – Instagram fan comment
Fan Polls Suggest High Interest
Unofficial fan polls suggest that over 70% of viewers would watch a Reenie or Bobby-led show. That’s market research gold.
How CBS Could Strategically Launch a Spinoff
Backdoor Pilots
Feature the spinoff character in a Tracker episode, then tease their new world. Easy, cheap, and effective.
Streaming-First Release
Drop the first season of a spinoff on Paramount+ as a test run before a full network launch.
Limited Series Format
Short, punchy, 6-episode seasons focused on high-stakes, emotionally resonant cases. Less commitment, more buzz.
Final Thoughts: The Tracker Universe Is Just Getting Started
Tracker isn’t just a TV show—it’s a brand with legs. With compelling characters, unresolved backstories, and fan obsession running high, the possibilities for spinoffs are not only exciting—they’re inevitable.
So whether it’s Reenie cracking cyber cases, Bobby reliving covert missions, or a young tracker finding their way, one thing’s clear: the hunt is far from over.
