Tracker season 1 featured exciting cameos, including Jensen Ackles as Russell Shaw, and while it's disappointing he won't be getting as much screen time in season 2 as many would want, Ackles' limited role is actually good for the show. The CBS action drama series, created by Ben H. Winters, is based on Jeffery Deaver's 2019 book The Never Game and follows Justin Hartley's Colter Shaw. Colter is a survivalist and tracker who helps find people for a living, sometimes working with law enforcement or for private citizens all over the country in exchange for money.
While Colter's profession is undoubtedly intriguing, his past (including his childhood) is even more interesting. Colter and his older brother, Russell, grew up with an extremely paranoid father, Ashton, who mysteriously died one night in 2003. Ashton took off running from the family's home due to his paranoia, and Russell chased after him. An hour later, Colter found Ashton dead and suspected that Russell had killed their father in Tracker. However, that might not be the case after all, and fans will likely learn more about what happened that night when Ackles returns in season 2.
Jensen Ackles' Russell Shaw Will Only Be In A Few Tracker Season 2 Episodes
Ackles' Role Is Recurring In Tracker Season 2
Tracker Season 2 Cast | Role |
|---|---|
Justin Hartley | Colter Shaw |
Abby McEnany | Velma Bruin |
Eric Graise | Bobby Exley |
Fiona Rene | Reenie Greene |
Jensen Ackles | Russell Shaw |
Jensen Ackles will reportedly have a recurring role as Russell in Tracker season 2, meaning he will only appear in a handful of episodes. According to Entertainment Weekly, while at the Television Critics Association 2024 Press Tour, Justin Hartley and executive producer/showrunner Elwood Reid confirmed Ackles would reprise his role as Russell for a multi-episode arc in Tracker season 2. When asked how many episodes Ackles would be featured in, Reid said, "More than one."
It stands to reason that Ackles will only appear in a few episodes, given his status as a recurring player in the cast of Tracker season 2. Of course, this is an upgrade from the actor's screen time in season 1 as he was only in one episode. However, Russell's multi-episode appearances make sense since Tracker season 2 will have many more episodes (22) than season 1 did (13). So, Russell's upcoming story arc can be stretched out for a few episodes instead of being contained in one hour.
Russell's Limited Tracker Season 2 Appearance Is Good For The Show's Future
The Writers Can Expand The Shaw Family Mystery
Jensen Ackles' return as Russell in Tracker season 2 likely coincides with developments regarding the mystery of who killed Ashton Shaw. Since Ackles will only appear in a few episodes of the CBS action drama TV series, the odds are that the case doesn't get solved right away, which is ultimately for the best. Of course, season 2 should uncover more truths about what really happened that night in 2003. However, it would be beneficial for the show to stretch out the Shaw family mystery and continue making it a bigger part of the narrative.
The plot surrounding Colter and Russell's father's death is a significant pillar in what makes Tracker so intriguing. Viewers are eager to find out how Ashton died, and the writers should extend the anticipation instead of extinguishing it early on in season 2. The show's procedural aspect certainly helped make Justin Hartley's Tracker so popular after season 1, but the lingering mystery undoubtedly reels many in as they theorize who killed Ashton. Since Russell is set to only appear in a few episodes in Tracker season 2, Colter probably won't learn the truth about his father's death until much later in the series.
What To Expect From Ackles' Return In Tracker Season 2
Russell Reportedly First Appears In Episode 2
Jensen Ackles' Russell is confirmed to return in episode 2 of Tracker season 2, which was revealed during the CBS action drama's panel at San Diego Comic-Con 2024. Not much is known about the second hour, aside from the fact that it airs on Sunday, October 20, and reportedly features UFOs. Unfortunately, Justin Hartley and the other executive producers have remained tight-lipped concerning what fans can expect in the upcoming episodes, including why Russell returns and what his multi-episode story arc will entail. Fans will just have to wait until Tracker season 2 premieres to learn more.
