Why ‘Tracker’ Doesn’t Have a Spinoff (And Why That’s a Good Thing)
If there’s one thing CBS fans know, it’s that the network loves to spin off spinoffs. NCIS started out as a spinoff of JAG before becoming a major franchise with multiple spinoffs. There’s also the FBI series, and even Fire Country is getting a spinoff. CBS has good reason to want to expand on a successful show, which brings us to Tracker — one of CBS’ hottest shows right now.
‘Tracker’: A Series That’s Booming
Premiering right after the Super Bowl, Tracker quickly gained a lot of attention from viewers. The show revolves around Colter Shaw (played by Justin Hartley), a freelance “tracker” who tracks down missing people or important items. While traveling across the country, Colter not only helps those in need, but also confronts his own troubled past.
While the main story focuses on Colter, Tracker’s first season introduced two interesting supporting characters, opening up the potential for “backdoor pilots” — episodes where a new show could be tested.
Spinoff Potential
First is Billie Matalon (played by Sofia Pernas), Colter’s former frenemy. She comes in with a gritty, determined attitude that makes the episode feel like she’s coming from a show about bounty hunting and bounties. Later, Colter reunites with his estranged brother, Russell, played by Supernatural star Jensen Ackles. Russell, a former soldier, now works for a mysterious organization called Horizon Group, suggesting the potential for his own adventures.
With these two characters in the mix, many have wondered if Tracker could expand into a spinoff series for each character. The upcoming season 2 will continue to explore Colter’s past and what led to his father taking his family into hiding in the woods and training Colter. So, could Tracker one day see spinoffs?
Why Spinoffs Aren’t the Way to Go Right Now
In an interview with TVLine, showrunner Elwood Reid mentioned the potential for spinoffs, but made it clear that there are no plans for them at this time. “It’s funny because all my friends are like, ‘You have to start thinking about doing your own thing,'” Reid said. “But I’ve seen so many shows suffer when they spin off too early, and neither show has been successful. Tracker is a unique show with Justin at the center, so it’s important for us to expand the world of the show, expand the cases, and expand what Tracker can do.”
Tracker’s diversity is one of its greatest strengths. Colter can venture into any world, from stock car racing to Nashville, rather than being confined to a fixed setting like New York or Chicago cop shows.
Keeping Tracker’s Identity
Executive producer Ken Olin agrees that Tracker’s ability to maintain its own identity is best for now. “Elwood and I are very happy working on just one show,” Olin says. “But it’s more important to keep the show unique and not get distracted by the idea of creating another version.”
While the idea of a spinoff isn’t out of the question in the future, for now, keeping the focus on Colter and developing the main Tracker story remains a top priority. With a successful first season and a promising second season, creating a spinoff too soon could dilute the appeal of the main show.
Tracker works best when it focuses on its central character, and while a spinoff may one day become a reality, for now, audiences are more than happy with just one version of Tracker.
