5 Shocking Revelations About Tracker Season 3: Premiere Date, Major Cast Exits, And Colter Shaw's New Journey

The wait is officially over, and the news is even better than a simple renewal confirmation: CBS’s breakout hit, Tracker, starring Justin Hartley as the lone-wolf survivalist Colter Shaw, has been renewed for a third season, and as of this current date, December 13, 2025, the season is already underway! The network’s decision to greenlight the series for the 2025–2026 television season was a no-brainer, following its phenomenal performance as the number one new series of the 2024–2025 season. Fans are now deep into the action of Season 3, which premiered on Sunday, October 19, 2025, bringing new mysteries, family drama, and a few notable shake-ups to Colter's world.

This comprehensive guide dives deep into everything we know about the ongoing third season, from the official premiere details and the massive viewership that secured its future to the key cast members returning and the dramatic departures that are reshaping the series' core dynamics. The journey of Colter Shaw continues to unfold, promising a deeper look into his enigmatic past and his strained relationship with his family.

Justin Hartley: The Man Behind Colter Shaw's Enigmatic Charm

The success of Tracker rests squarely on the shoulders of its leading man, Justin Hartley, who not only stars as Colter Shaw but also serves as an executive producer. Hartley, a veteran of both daytime and primetime television, has found a new career-defining role in the master tracker.

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• Full Name: Justin Scott Hartley
• Date of Birth: January 7, 1977
• Place of Birth: Knoxville, Illinois, U.S.
• Career-Defining Roles:
  • Colter Shaw (Tracker, 2024–Present): A highly skilled, lone-wolf survivalist and "rewardist" who travels the country in his Airstream trailer to help law enforcement and private citizens locate missing persons and collect rewards.
  • Kevin Pearson (This Is Us, 2016–2022): His role as one of the "Big Three" earned him widespread critical acclaim and cemented his status as a major television star.
  • Oliver Queen / Green Arrow (Smallville, 2006–2011): A prominent role that introduced him to the superhero genre.
  • Adam Newman (The Young and the Restless, 2014–2016) and Fox Crane (Passions, 2002–2006): Key roles in the soap opera world.
• The Colter Shaw Character Profile: Colter is a meticulous, self-reliant individual driven by a complex family history, particularly the mysterious death of his father. His primary motivation is financial reward, but his actions are often guided by a strong moral compass. Season 3 continues to explore the trauma and secrets surrounding his brother, Russell Shaw.

1. The Renewal Status and Season 3 Premiere Date: Confirmed and Airing Now

The question of "Has Tracker been renewed for Season 3?" is not just a 'yes'—it's a resounding success story. CBS officially renewed the series in February 2025, a testament to its immediate and overwhelming popularity. This early renewal demonstrated the network’s confidence in the show’s ability to anchor their Sunday night lineup.

• Official Renewal Date: February 2025.
• Season 3 Premiere Date: Sunday, October 19, 2025, at 8/7c on CBS.
• Streaming Availability: New episodes are available to stream on Paramount+ for Premium subscribers the day after they air on CBS.

The show’s performance was the undeniable factor in this quick decision. The Season 2 premiere drew a massive 8.3 million total viewers in Live+Same Day ratings, marking its most-watched episode since the series finale. Across multiple platforms, Tracker has been averaging over 11 million viewers per episode, making it one of the most-watched shows on television. This level of viewership dominance made a Season 3 renewal inevitable.

2. Major Cast Shake-Ups: Who’s In and Who’s Out for Colter Shaw’s Return

Season 3 of Tracker features a significant restructuring of the core supporting cast, focusing the narrative more tightly on Colter Shaw and a few key relationships. While the star power of Justin Hartley remains, the dynamic of Colter's support team has changed dramatically.

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Returning Main Cast & Key Characters:

• Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw: The rewardist and master tracker.
• Fiona Rene as Reenie Greene: Colter’s lawyer and sometimes-confidante, whose relationship with Colter is a constant source of tension and support.
• Chris Lee as Randy: A returning main character whose role as a technical expert provides Colter with crucial intel.

Notable Departures:

In a move that surprised many fans, two key recurring characters who provided Colter with technical and logistical support are not returning as series regulars for Season 3. This shift suggests a more streamlined focus on Colter’s personal and familial cases.

• Eric Graise as Bobby Exley: The tech expert who often provided Colter with equipment and information is reportedly not returning.
• Velma Bruin: The character who managed Colter’s finances and travel logistics is also absent from the main cast lineup.

New and Recurring Additions:

To fill the void and introduce new narrative threads, Season 3 has brought in fresh faces in recurring roles, promising new challenges and alliances for Colter.

• Kathleen Robertson (New Recurring): Known for her roles in *Murder in the First* and *Bates Motel*, Robertson has joined the cast in a recurring capacity, though specific character details are being kept under wraps.
• Mark Engelhardt (New Recurring): Also joining the series in a recurring role, Engelhardt's character is expected to interact closely with Colter's professional life.

3. The Deepening Family Mystery: Russell Shaw's Return

One of the most compelling aspects of Tracker is the ongoing mystery surrounding Colter’s estranged family and the death of his father. Season 3 is set to significantly ramp up this storyline, particularly with the return of Colter's older brother.

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• Jensen Ackles as Russell Shaw: The fan-favorite actor, known for his long-running role in *Supernatural*, is set to return as Colter's brother, Russell Shaw. Russell's appearance is critical as he holds key information about their father’s mysterious death.
• The Central Conflict: The relationship between Colter and Russell is heavily strained, rooted in a traumatic childhood event. Season 3 promises to delve deeper into the complex dynamic, forcing Colter to confront the trauma he's been running from. This will likely involve a multi-episode arc, potentially focusing on the circumstances surrounding their father's fatal fall.

4. The Future of the 'Rewardist' Model and Topical Authority

The premise of Tracker—a "rewardist" who works outside the system—has been a major draw. Season 3 is expected to continue this procedural format while increasing the stakes and complexity of the cases. The show's topical authority is built on its exploration of several key themes:

• Survivalist Skills: Colter's exceptional tracking, wilderness survival, and tactical skills remain central to the plot.
• Legal Ethics: The dynamic with Reenie Greene (Fiona Rene) continues to explore the ethical and legal gray areas of Colter’s work as a private operative who often bypasses traditional law enforcement.
• Geographic Diversity: Colter's mobile home base, his iconic Airstream trailer, allows the show to feature diverse American landscapes and introduce new local law enforcement entities in each episode.
• LSI Keywords/Entities: The series naturally integrates high-value LSI terms such as lone-wolf survivalist, reward-seeking operative, master tracker, missing persons cases, family trauma, and procedural drama.

5. What to Expect from the Remaining Season 3 Episodes

With Season 3 already airing, the narrative trajectory is clear. The remaining episodes will likely balance the episodic "case of the week" structure with the overarching family mythology.

Expect a continued focus on:

• High-Stakes Cases: Colter will tackle more challenging and high-profile missing persons and recovery missions, often putting him in direct conflict with dangerous individuals or organizations.
• Deep Dive into the Shaws: The appearances of Russell Shaw and the introduction of new recurring characters suggest a heavy emphasis on the Shaw family's past, potentially revealing the full truth about the father's death and the mother's role in the aftermath.
• A New Timeslot in 2026: Following the initial run, the series is expected to take a break and return in 2026, potentially with a slightly adjusted timeslot, demonstrating CBS's continued commitment to the hit series.

In summary, Tracker’s Season 3 renewal was a foregone conclusion based on its record-breaking viewership. The season is currently airing and promises to be the most intense yet, with a streamlined cast, compelling new recurring characters, and the long-awaited resolution to the Shaw family's central mystery. The journey of Colter Shaw is far from over, cementing Tracker's place as a dominant force in network television.