Tracker’s First Character Departure Means The Justin Hartley Show Can Do What Season 1 Was Too Afraid To

Tracker's first significant character departure means Justin Hartley's show can do something in season 2 that it was hesitant to do in season 1. The This Is Us star portrays the protagonist, Colter Shaw, who lives on the open road and solves missing person cases for reward money. As the most popular network television series of the 2023-2024 cycle, Tracker season 2's fall premiere is highly anticipated. However, there will be significant changes to the show's makeup in its sophomore run, which could have serious consequences for Tracker's hitherto conservative narrative approach.

In Tracker season 2, the departure of a core character could shake up the cast, and its execution could set a precedent for the series. As in Jeffrey Deaver's original novels, the Tracker cast consists of Colter and his skeleton team, who support his reward-seeking operation. The team includes actor/comedians Robin Weigert and Abby McEnany as Colter's handlers, Teddi and Velma Bruin, and features Eric Graise as hacker genius Bobby Exley and Fiona Rene as Reenie Green. Previously, these supporting players have operated in the background without any real jeopardy. Now, however, this could completely change.

Tracker Season 2 Could Kill Its First Major Character With Robin Weigert's Departure

Robin Weigert Will Not Return As Teddi Bruin

Robin Weigert as Teddi Bruin in Tracker.

Robin Weigert is not returning for Tracker season 2. It's a significant revelation since the character was in every episode of Tracker season 1. While it remains unclear why Weigert is leaving and how the show will handle her departure, Teddi's exit will be a major narrative concern in season 2. Teddi is Colter's handler, and is married to his other handler, Abby McEnany's Velma Bruin. The series will have to decide how to carefully send off the Teddi character in a convincing way, since Velma and Teddi work together, and Velma will stay with the series.

It's definitely possible that Tracker will kill Teddi off. Alternatively, Teddi could end her marriage, but it seems unlikely since she was primarily happy in season 1. Instead, Teddi could die in connection to a missing person case. She could be on the scene, assisting Colter in the field with Velma, and lose her life in the action. While it's sad to contemplate Tracker season 2 losing its first cast member, Teddi's on-screen death would be a significant first for the series. Tracker has yet to kill a central character, and the series generally doesn't portray much death. If Teddi does indeed die, it will represent a major change for the show.

Colter Shaw Faces Much Danger, But Tracker Hasn't Portrayed Major Character Deaths

Tracker Delivers On Action But Not Death

 

The female cop in Klamath Falls holding up a gun to Colter who is off screen in Tracker

Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw and Jensen Ackles as Russell Shaw standing together in a candlelit room in Tracker

Jensen Ackles as Russell Shaw Holding a Gun in Tracker

Jensen Ackles as Russell and Justin Hartley as Colter investigating a body in the morgue in Tracker

Jensen Ackles as Russell and Justin Hartley as Colter in a morgue with a body on a slab in Tracker

The female cop in Klamath Falls holding up a gun to Colter who is off screen in Tracker

Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw and Jensen Ackles as Russell Shaw standing together in a candlelit room in Tracker

Jensen Ackles as Russell Shaw Holding a Gun in Tracker

Jensen Ackles as Russell and Justin Hartley as Colter investigating a body in the morgue in Tracker

Jensen Ackles as Russell and Justin Hartley as Colter in a morgue with a body on a slab in Tracker

Colter faces constant danger in Tracker season 1 but saves the day before situations turn fatal. If Teddi dies in action as part of Robin Weigert's exit from the series, it would break down a former barrier. Colter's tracking work is gravely serious, and he encounters dead bodies and life-threatening injuries, but most of the deaths Colter encounters happen off-screen. In this way, Tracker sets itself apart from most other procedurals with which it competes. Tracker's lack of violence could have something to do with how Tracker dethroned NCIS as CBS' most-watched show, but this new development could represent a radical change of direction.

If Teddi perishes in action, it would make an indelible mark on the show. Teddi's death in Tracker season 2 would fit the series' premise, which revolves around action and drama. Losing Teddi would deliver both. Killing a character so dearly beloved by others would be a sure way to shock audiences and make an impact, dramatically altering the show's tone in the process. While Tracker season 1 did a great job in introducing its cast of characters, their popularity means that Tracker season 2 has the potential to take some bold narrative steps with serious consequences.

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