Jensen Ackles is officially returning to CBS’ Tracker for Season 4, with cameras expected to begin filming his first episode within days.
Ackles will reprise his role as Russell Shaw, the older brother of Justin Hartley’s Colter Shaw. His return comes after a dramatic Season 3 finale that left Russell facing a dangerous new situation.
Viewers will remember that Colter and Russell finally uncovered the truth about what happened to their father, Ashton. His involvement in a covert, DARPA-funded government program that experimented on gifted children ultimately contributed to his downfall.
After rescuing Chrono Stasis test subjects Danny and Lola, the brothers went their separate ways. Colter focused on getting them to safety, while Russell pursued the person responsible for the operation.
Russell’s investigation took an unexpected turn when the man behind the program gave him a file containing disturbing new information about something Ashton had done to Colter when he was a child.
The man then offered Russell a deal. If he took care of a problem for him, both Russell and Colter would be left alone.
Before disappearing, Russell called Reenie, played by Fiona Rene, and asked her to keep Colter from following him. He promised that he would explain where he was going and why as soon as he could.
What is Russell’s Season 4 storyline?
Speaking Sunday during a Televerse panel in Los Angeles, Hartley confirmed that Ackles would return to Tracker the following week.
“We left him in a place where he was doing something for Colter — keeping a secret from him, but for Colter’s own good,” Hartley explained. “He took one for the team. Quid pro quo: ‘I’ll do this for you… just keep him out of it. He doesn’t need to know any of this. It’s to protect him.’”
However, Russell’s secret mission appears to have created another serious problem. When viewers meet him again in Season 4, he will need Colter’s help.
“But whatever Russell agreed to do has apparently landed him — and someone close to him — in trouble: ‘When we find him this season… he needs a favor from Colter and from his skill set. So the two brothers work together to solve this problem that Russell’s found himself in — and one of his friends, too.’”
That setup suggests that the Shaw brothers will once again be forced to work together, this time to deal with the consequences of Russell’s mysterious agreement.
Ackles’ return is also significant for Tracker, as Russell has become an important part of the show’s ongoing family storyline. His complicated relationship with Colter continues to reveal more about their shared past and the secrets surrounding their father.
Tracker Season 4 premieres Sunday, October 4, at 9:30 p.m. on CBS, with episodes streaming the following day on Paramount+. The premiere will air immediately after the Season 2 premiere of the Yellowstone spin-off Marshals.
