Tracker’s Justin Hartley Welcomes Jensen Ackles as Colter’s Brother, and I’m Flashbacking to Supernatural
Tracker is quickly becoming a hit on CBS’ 2024 TV schedule, and the freshman drama is treating fans to some exciting guest stars before its first season wraps. Following Manifest alum Melissa Roxburgh’s appearance as Colter’s sister, Supernatural and The Boys’ Jensen Ackles will appear as Colter’s brother. Star Justin Hartley’s first appearance on set with Ackles will have any fan excited to see them together on screen, and the Supernatural fan in me is reminiscing about Ackles’ days as Dean Winchester.
What can I say? When a show lasts fifteen seasons and over 300 episodes, you’re going to have flashbacks from time to time. In the video Justin Hartley posted with the Supernatural vet, I could immediately see why the two actors would be physically perfect for playing brothers… and Ackles certainly has experience playing a character with a complicated relationship with his brother, thanks to nearly two decades of working with Jared Padalecki as the Winchester brothers. Check out Justin Hartley’s video with guest star Tracker: One brother is serious and trying to get something done, while the other — played by Jensen Ackles — is screwing around and annoying them? Try judging me for reminding you of the Winchester brothers on Supernatural! Of course, the similarities are definitely limited. Does Colter drink demon blood, like Sam Winchester? Probably not, but there are definitely complications based on what we’ve learned about Colter’s brother throughout the series so far.
I have to give Tracker credit for casting Ackles; Not only is he physically believable as Justin Hartley’s older brother, but — as anyone who’s seen him on Supernatural and then seen him on The Boys knows — he’s a versatile actor with endless talent. So, when can you expect Ackles to make his debut as Colter’s brother? According to Variety, the actor will appear in the May 12 episode of Tracker, when Russell enlists Colter’s help in finding an old Army friend. That will be the penultimate episode of the season, as the finale airs on May 19. With CBS wasting no time renewing Tracker for Season 2 after it was canceled following its Super Bowl Sunday premiere, the May 12 episode could just be the first in a recurring gig for Ackles, though we can certainly only speculate at this point. I suspect Tracker will add Colter’s brother in the penultimate episode of Season 1 and then immediately kill him off.
Only time will tell, though. Stay tuned to CBS on Sundays at 9 p.m. ET for new episodes of Tracker until the first season concludes on May 19. You can also catch up on past episodes by subscribing to Paramount+. Also, if the news of Jensen Ackles’ casting has you itching to watch Supernatural, you can watch all fifteen seasons of that show by subscribing to Netflix now.
