Tracker features many exciting guest stars, but perhaps the most memorable is Jensen Ackles, who sadly doesn't reprise his role as Russell Shaw in the season 2 premiere. The CBS action drama revolves around Justin Hartley's Colter Shaw, a survivalist and expert tracker who uses his skills to help private citizens and law enforcement agencies across the country (in exchange for reward money, of course). Outside his work, Colter's life, most notably his past, is full of drama and intrigue in Tracker. His brother, Russell, plays a significant role in the biggest mystery that has haunted Colter since childhood.
When Colter and Russell were younger, their father, Ashton Shaw, mysteriously died. Colter found Ashton's lifeless body at the bottom of a cliff and saw Russell standing at the top. After that day, Colter believed, for several years, that Russell killed their father in Tracker. New evidence came to light towards the end of season 1 that suggests otherwise, though, and season 2 will continue exploring the truth of what really happened to Ashton all those years ago. Consequently, bringing Ackles back as Russell in the Tracker season 2 episodes (even though the actor isn't in the premiere) makes sense.
Jensen Ackles Is In Tracker Season 2 – But Won't Debut Until Episode 2
Russell Shaw Is Returning
Tracker Season 2 Cast | Role |
|---|---|
Justin Hartley | Colter Shaw |
Abby McEnany | Velma Bruin |
Eric Graise | Bobby Exley |
Fiona Rene | Reenie Greene |
Lee Tergesen | Ashton Shaw |
Wendy Crewson | Mary Dove Shaw |
Jensen Ackles | Russell Shaw |
Although Jensen Ackles doesn't appear as Russell in the Tracker season 2 premiere, he is set to reprise his role in episode 2, "Ontological Shock," which CBS will release on Sunday, October 20. As seen in the preview for the hour, Russell returns to help his brother. Colter takes on a case about a man who disappears after going hiking (and possibly seeing a UFO). Unfortunately, while trying to find the man, Colter goes missing, too, resulting in Reenie Green calling Russell to help locate Justin Hartley's character.
During an interview with Entertainment Weekly prior to the season 2 premiere, Tracker showrunner Elwood Reid teased Ackles' return in episode 2. Reid claimed that Russell appears during the case's "highest point," likely referring to Colter's own disappearance. However, Russell won't return just to help find his brother. His arrival also brings new information about their family's past. Reid teases, "There’s a secret that is revealed about their father that lands with both brothers. There's a memory you'll see that Colter doesn't have that his brother does about Colter and their father."
How Many Episodes Of Tracker Season 2 Will Jensen Ackles Be In?
Ackles' Episode Count Is Unknown
Unfortunately, neither the Tracker producers nor Jensen Ackles have confirmed how many episodes he will be in for Tracker season 2. However, it is known that episode 2 won't be the actor's only appearance. Ackles has a recurring role in season 2 of the CBS action drama, meaning he will pop up in a handful of episodes following "Ontological Shock." As for which ones, fans will have to wait to learn, but the mid-season finale and the season finale are likely bets since season 2 will focus on solving the mystery of Ashton's death and Russell's significance in that story.
Ackles began filming a new Amazon Prime Video TV series (Derek Haas' Countdown) in September 2024. Plus, he is scheduled to start production on the fifth and final season of The Boys in November, ending sometime in mid-2025. So, Ackles' busy schedule may interfere with his availability to appear in Tracker season 2. Following episode 2, Russell will likely only be in a couple more episodes, which will probably be the most important ones (like the mid-season finale in the winter and the season finale in the spring).
What To Expect From Russell Shaw's Story In Tracker Season 2
Season 2 Will Continue Exploring The Mystery Of Colter & Russell's Father's Death
As mentioned above, Russell returns in Tracker season 2, episode 2, to save Colter after he goes missing while working on a case involving UFOs. However, Russell's upcoming story will mostly revolve around the mystery of Ashton's death. While speaking with TV Insider, Justin Hartley teased Russell's new role in season 2 of the CBS action drama TV series. Hartley said:
"Russell comes back and Colter's got a couple of questions for him about this Dory situation and the box that she has and does Russell know where it is? Russell's also pretty heroic in episode 2, and they get involved in this really black ops, kind of strange thing. And these government officials start asking about our dad out of the blue, and you're like, 'Whoa, what's this all about?' So, in every episode, Dad is becoming a little more vindicated maybe, or just maybe completely nuts. We don't know. We dive a little bit deeper into that."
So, Russell's episodic returns will result in gaining more information about the Shaw family's past. However, Colter's brother will also experience a bit of change when he appears in Tracker season 2 episodes. Hartley explained Russell's evolution to Entertainment Weekly, saying, "Jensen came, and he enhanced [the character] in every way. He augmented the character with the tiny touches he adds as an actor, so he made this his own in a big way."
Sources: Entertainment Weekly, TV Insider
