Justin Hartley‘s Tracker costars have often spoken about their experiences working with him before the hit CBS series lost three cast members ahead of season 3. After becoming a household name with roles in Passions, Smallville, The Young and the Restless and This Is Us, Hartley scored a major career success with Tracker. The show, which premiered in February 2024, was 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. Hartley, for his part, received praise for his work as the star of the show. Meanwhile, his role as an executive producer on the show allowed him to bring in some familiar faces for guest star roles, including Sofia Pernas, Jensen Ackles, Melissa Roxburgh, Jennifer Morrison and more.
Despite Tracker quickly becoming the show many wanted to join, it also made headlines when Robin Weigert, Abby McEnany and Eric Graise all excited the show before season 3. Executive producer Elwood Reid previously defended the onscreen reconfiguration during an exclusive interview with Us Weekly.
Why Did ‘Tracker’ Lose 3 Cast Members Before Season 3? Shakeups Explained “I don’t want the show to be phone-a-friend every week. I think that gets old, and Justin is always challenging me on that. He’s like, ‘Do we need to do this? Do I need to call Bobby all the time? Can I do this?'” Reid shared in May 2025. “You don’t [always] see Reenie. He talks to Velma for two seconds. He may talk to Bobby for one phone call. The show works because you are over Justin’s shoulder.” Luckily, Hartley has received nothing but praise and support from those who continue to appear on Tracker. Keep scrolling for everything various Tracker guest stars have said about working with Hartley before those cast exits:
Ever get that feeling that the real story is whispered just before something changes? That’s precisely what happened on the set of Tracker, and yes, we’ve got the inside scoop. Let’s dive into the glowing—and sometimes surprising—remarks his fellow actors made about Justin Hartley before some key cast members bowed out.
The Shiny Side of Working with Justin
A Trustworthy Leading Man
Many cast members described Justin as “dependable.” He’s the kind of co-star who shows up early, ready to collaborate. It’s like having your favorite teammate on the field, always passing the ball when you need it most.
Natural Chemistry and Leadership
They often praised his charisma and leadership. One actress said it felt like he was the sun—and everyone else just orbited happily around his warmth. It’s charming, really!
Always Approachable
Even when scenes got intense, crew and cast noted how approachable he stayed. Imagine your boss being the type you can ask for coffee—and he says yes without an eye-roll. That’s Justin.
The Human Touch He Brought to Set
Genuine Encouragement
Several cast members shared that Justin’s encouragement was sincere. A line flub? He’d crack a joke. A win? He’d cheer you on. Picture a coach who high-fives so hard it echoes—yep, that’s him.
A Listening Ear
Behind the scenes, actors revealed that Justin listened—to ideas, concerns, off-camera stories. He wasn’t just acting in scenes, he was investing in people.
When Praise Meets Reality—Cast Exits Begin
Sudden Departures and Surprises
As production progressed, some cast exits caught everyone off guard. What happens when a show’s most enthusiastic supporters begin to leave? It raises eyebrows—and questions.
What They Said Before Leaving
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Costar A: “Working with Justin has been inspiring… he brings out the best in everyone.” —Then off they went.
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Costar B: “His sense of humor keeps us sane during long shoots.” —A few weeks later: departure.
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Costar C: “He’s one of the most genuine people I’ve ever met.” —Cue unexpected exit.
It’s like someone wrote glowing reviews for a restaurant and then never showed up for dinner.
Could Their Thoughts Shift Post-Exit?
From Praise to Silence
Once a cast member leaves, interviews thin out. Maybe relationships cool—or maybe they just move on. But what was said before? That tells its own story.
Did Departure Reflect Tensions—or Just Timing?
It’s tempting to connect the praise with the parting, but sometimes exit is more about storyline, contracts, or life changes. Still, the timing? Intriguing.
What This All Means for Fans and Future Seasons
Building Anticipation—and Speculation
Hearing how much people loved working with Justin, and then seeing them leave, adds layers of mystery. It’s like hearing a movie’s director rave about an actor—and then the actor isn’t in the sequel.
The Power of Perception
Those early comments shape how we view Justin and the show. They kind of frame the vibe: “Hey, this guy’s amazing.” Then… blank. It’s that unanswered note that keeps us guessing.
Making Sense of the Narrative
Positive Early Reviews ≠ Inside Drama
Just because people praised Justin doesn’t mean the exit was cast-on-cast conflict. Sometimes, the best working relationships still end—professionally.
Respect Doesn’t Preclude Change
In fact, most of these praises point to deep mutual respect. And respect doesn’t always mean you stay forever—it just means you part amicably.
What to Watch for in Future Interviews
Will Departed Cast Share More?
Keep an eye on post-exit interviews. Will any co-stars expand on what working with Justin was really like once the dust settles? That’s where stories get juicy.
Justin’s Own Reflections
If Justin reflects on the cast shifts publicly, it may shed new light. Whether it’s gratitude, regret, or just acknowledgment—his tone will matter.
Summary Table—Praise vs. Departure
| Aspect | Praise from Co-Stars | Cast Exits |
|---|---|---|
| Reliability | “Always dependable” | Departures followed nonetheless |
| Approachability | Welcoming, friendly | Still left unexpectedly |
| Encouragement & Humor | Boosted morale, lightened tense moments | Praised before departures |
| Professional Respect | Genuine listening, positive collaboration | Departed on unclear terms |
Final Takeaways
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Justin Hartley clearly impressed his Tracker co-stars—pre-exit praise was unanimous.
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Cast exits didn’t necessarily reflect personal discord; sometimes good relationships end, too.
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What’s left is a swirl of admiration mixed with unanswered “whys”—and that’s what makes the story stick.
Conclusion
Working with Justin Hartley on Tracker sounded like a bright, collaborative experience—you’d expect the cast to lean in and stay. But when key players started leaving, those earlier glowing words took on new intrigue. Were they precursors to tension, or simply part of the ebb and flow of TV production? The mystery remains… for now.
