Tracker showrunner Elwood Reid finally explains how the show will write off the original character Teddi Bruin. In August, it was reported that Robin Weigert will not reprise her role as Teddi for Tracker season 2. The Emmy-nominated actor, recognized for her roles in Deadwood, Big Little Lies, and the 2022 horror movie Smile, had been with the CBS show since its first episode, but no explanation had been provided for Weigert's departure. This led to plenty of speculation since Teddi's wife Velma Bruin (Abby McEnany) will remain a part of the Justin Hartley drama when it returns in just a few weeks.
As part of a preview of Tracker season 2, Reid revealed to Entertainment Weekly, that Teddi and Velma have separated. The showrunner and executive producer shared that Velma will have to deal with her feelings of abandonment and work through them. Read the full details below:
“[Velma] and Teddy have separated. Velma is struggling with what it means to be abandoned in some ways, and she’ll work her way through that emotion.”
In addition, Reid also talked about Velma's upcoming storyline with Reenie (Fiona Rene). Read the details below:
“Both of these women, as they go through some stuff in their lives, are going to be able to lean on each other and get on each other’s nerves.”
What Does Teddi & Velma's Separation Mean For Tracker Season 2?
Velma Will Get The Spotlight.
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Tracker Season 1 Main Cast & Characters | ||
|---|---|---|
Actor | Who They Play | Notes |
Justin Hartley | Colter Shaw | A lone-wolf type that travels the country looking for cases. |
Fiona Rene | Reenie Greene | An attorney who helps Colter. |
Eric Graise | Bobby Exley | A computer scientist who helps Colter with his work. |
Abby McEnany | Velma Bruin | Colter's handler, who manages his business details. |
Robin Weigert | Teddi Bruin | Velma's wife, who handles Colter's details. |
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Although it's been speculated that Teddi and Velma will separate or potentially divorce, the confirmation from the showrunner is new. It comes after details about how Velma and Reenie will share more scenes together, which was previewed by the Tracker season 1 finale. By helping Reenie set up her new law firm, Velma might be able to process the surprising break in her relationship with Teddi.
On the plus side, the separation storyline provides a potentially more meaningful presence for McEnany. The star and creator of the comedy series Work in Progress, which boasts widespread acclaim and a 100% score on Rotten Tomatoes, was arguably overqualified for her brief season 1 scenes, here Velma and Teddi briefly advise Colter Shaw (Hartley). This change suggests she'll have more of a spotlighted role in the Tracker cast.
Our Take On Velma & Teddi's Separation
Couldn't They Have Recast Teddi?
Weigert is an accomplished performer, stealing scenes in Smile and Deadwood and holding the screen opposite Nicole Kidman in Big Little Lies. Understandably, Tracker couldn't make more use of that since it's focused on the mystery of Colter's father and the weekly missions.
There's an argument that the CBS hit should have just recast Teddi since the character is so new. But hopefully, Reid and fellow executive producers Ken Olin, Ben H. Winters, and Hartley plan an interesting path forward after the loss of the first original cast member.
Tracker season 2 premieres Sunday, October 13 at 8 PM ET on CBS.
Source: EW
