Tracker season 2 gets an exciting update after Justin Hartley's series debuted as the most-watched show on TV. Just a couple of years following the end of This Is Us, Hartley returned to the small screen with a very different role as Colter Shaw, a self-proclaimed rewardist. Based on the 2019 novel The Never Game by Jeffery Deaver, the CBS series takes on a procedural format, with Colter going from one small town to another looking for missing people. Considering Tracker's immediate success after premiering on Super Bowl LVIII, it wasn't surprising when the network greenlit its second season immediately.
While CBS has yet to announce its official premiere date, a new listing from Creative BC confirms that Tracker season 2 is slated to begin production on July 16. Filming of the Hartley-led series will last until April 22 of next year. No additional information has been included in the listing, but after its shortened debut year, which racked up a whopping 10.8 million weekly viewers, Tracker season 2 is expected to have more episodes as the upcoming 2024-2025 TV season shifts back to its usual schedule.
What To Expect From Tracker Season 2
Colter Shaw Needs To Solve His Father's Murder
Aside from its weekly episode, Tracker also tackles a bigger narrative that delves deep into the Shaws' family history. In season 1, the mystery of the death of Colter's dad plagued the protagonist. Bits and pieces of the tragedy were revealed, with all remaining members of his family offering their own perspectives. The Tracker season 1 finale effectively set Colter to dig deeper into what really happened to his father. Moving onto season 2, this storyline must move forward, even if the show doesn't end up fully resolving it by the end of the year.
One way to do this is to feature Colter's family more often. While he pretty much operates on his own, with the show having a different set of supporting characters every week, it would be great to see his siblings together. While Jensen Ackles and Melissa Roxbury debuted as Russell and Dory Shaw as part of the Tracker cast, all three siblings haven't shared the screen. Seeing all of them unpack what happened to their father can be the highlight of season 2. After all, it seems like Colter doesn't know as much as his siblings do about the matter.
With an expanded episode count, Tracker season 2 can cover more stories in its sophomore year. This means that it can also be more creative with its weekly mysteries, which it already did a good job with in its first year. Moving forward, Hartley and his team could even try doing multi-episode arcs for bigger and more personal cases. Perhaps they can even come up with more experimental stories, like getting his remote team more involved. That way, Colter isn't alone for the majority of Tracker's run.
Why Tracker Season 1 Became TV's Most-Watched Series During The 2023-2024 TV Season
Tracker Ended NCIS' 5-Year Streak As TV's Most-Watched Show
At the end of the 2023-2024 TV season, official viewership data revealed just how impressive Tracker season 1's showing was. For context, its 10.8 million weekly viewers are around a million more than NCIS season 21's viewership, which was in second place as the most-watched program of the past year. Being number 1 means that Tracker also ended NCIS' five-year streak on top. This is particularly impressive because Hartley's show is a new IP for CBS, with no ties to any established TV brands.
Several factors likely contributed to Tracker's success. Procedurals have always been a favorite on network TV. It added a brand-new element that isn't a medical, legal, or police drama, resulting in a unique take on an established storytelling format. It's also worth noting that Tracker marks Hartley's return to the small screen after starring in Dan Fogleman's hit, This Is Us. While there aren't any similarities between Colter and Kevin Pearson, it's safe to say that those who loved him in the family drama were enticed to check out his new project, especially since it is his first leading role.
How Tracker Season 2 Can Maintain Its Popularity
Tracker Season 1's Success Isn't Guaranteed To Continue In Season 2
Just because Tracker had a massive debut isn't a guarantee that it will be able to continue the streak moving forward. There are certain limitations to the show because of its format. Unlike the majority of procedurals, which boast ensembles, Tracker lives and dies with Hartley's Colter Shaw. Because of this, the creatives behind the show need to find ways to keep him interesting throughout its run. Otherwise, they must introduce characters that can expand the universe.
Tracker season 1 already previewed a version of this with the introduction of Ackles' Russell. It's uncertain if Ackles will make an appearance in season 2, especially considering his new show on Amazon Prime Video, Countdown, but the CBS procedural should not wait too long to bring him back. Without Russell and other input from other members of the Shaw family, it would be difficult to solve the mystery surrounding their patriarch, and that's a big part of Tracker's main hook.
