When people in the United States talk about the biggest network TV success of the 2020s, one name keeps coming up: Tracker — known internationally by its French title Le Tracqueur (and Le Traqueur in Quebec).
Tracqueur: Premiering on February 11, 2024, immediately after Super Bowl LVIII, this American action-drama procedural exploded onto CBS with massive ratings and hasn’t slowed down since. Starring Justin Hartley as lone-wolf survivalist Colter Shaw, the series has become a ratings juggernaut and a rare example of traditional broadcast television dominating in the streaming era.
As of February 26, 2026, Tracker is in Season 3, with new episodes returning March 1, 2026, and it has already been officially renewed for Season 4 (2026–27).
Here’s the ultimate 2026 breakdown of Tracqueur / Tracker — cast, plot, ratings, production, and why America can’t stop watching.
The Premise: Who Is Colter Shaw and What Is Tracker About?
At its heart, Tracker is built around a compelling and refreshingly simple concept. Colter Shaw (Justin Hartley) is a nomadic “rewardist” — a professional tracker who travels across the United States solving crimes for reward money.
He’s not a cop.
He’s not FBI.
He’s not military.
He’s something different.
Colter lives out of his pickup truck and vintage Airstream RV, roaming from state to state. Using elite survival skills taught by his late father — a survivalist who raised his children off-grid — Colter helps families and law enforcement locate:
-
Missing persons
-
Kidnapping victims
-
Murder suspects
-
Cold case leads
-
Runaways
-
Criminal fugitives
Each episode follows a mostly self-contained “case of the week” format, making it easy for new viewers to jump in — a hallmark of classic CBS procedural storytelling. But layered beneath the weekly mysteries is a deeper serialized storyline: the fractured Shaw family and the unresolved mystery surrounding their father’s death.
The show is adapted from Jeffery Deaver’s 2019 bestselling novel The Never Game, the first book in the Colter Shaw series. Originally titled The Never Game, the show was renamed Tracker in March 2023 before its CBS debut.
Main Cast and Characters (2026 Update)
The success of Tracker rests heavily on its charismatic cast — especially Justin Hartley’s leading-man presence.
Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw
Hartley plays Colter as stoic, intelligent, and quietly empathetic. Known previously for This Is Us, Hartley brings emotional depth to the rugged survivalist. He also serves as an executive producer through his company, ChangeUp Productions.
Fiona Rene as Reenie Greene
Reenie is Colter’s trusted attorney and confidante. Sharp, strategic, and grounded, she often acts as his moral compass and legal safety net.
Chris Lee as Randy
A skilled tech expert who assists Colter with hacking, digital surveillance, and online research. He became more prominent in later seasons.
Fan-Favorite Recurring Characters
-
Jensen Ackles as Russell Shaw (Colter’s older brother)
-
Melissa Roxburgh as Dory Shaw (younger sister)
-
Sofia Pernas as Billie Matalon (rival tracker — and Hartley’s real-life wife)
-
Brent Sexton as John Keaton
The casting of Jensen Ackles (best known from Supernatural) created major excitement among US audiences. Meanwhile, the real-life chemistry between Hartley and Sofia Pernas has become one of the show’s most talked-about dynamics.
Production, Development & Filming (US-Centric Perspective)
Tracker was developed for television by Ben H. Winters and produced by:
-
20th Television
-
Beekeeper Entertainment
-
ChangeUp Productions
Executive producers include:
-
Justin Hartley
-
Ken Olin
-
Elwood Reid
-
Sharon Lee Watson
-
Alex Katsnelson
-
Connie Dolphin
Although the show is set entirely across the United States, filming primarily takes place in Vancouver, British Columbia, at Vancouver Film Studios. Canada often doubles for American landscapes due to tax incentives and geographic versatility.
The series uses a single-camera format and runs approximately 42 minutes per episode, fitting perfectly into CBS’s Sunday night 8/9 p.m. ET slot.
The decision to premiere the show after Super Bowl LVIII was strategic — and brilliant. That massive lead-in audience helped turn the premiere into a breakout event.
Seasons, Episodes & Broadcast History
Here’s how the series has evolved:
Season 1 (2024)
-
13 episodes
-
Aired: February 11 – May 19, 2024
-
Averaged approximately 10.8–11.3 million viewers
-
Immediate breakout hit
Season 2 (2024–25)
-
20 episodes
-
Aired: October 13, 2024 – May 11, 2025
-
Averaged 17+ million total viewers
-
Became the #1 most-watched entertainment series in the US
Season 3 (2025–26)
-
Premiered October 19, 2025
-
Midseason break
-
Returns March 1, 2026, with the episode titled “The Fallout”
Season 4
-
Officially renewed in January 2026
-
Scheduled for the 2026–27 season
Episodes air Sundays on CBS and stream next day on Paramount+, expanding its reach beyond traditional broadcast audiences.
Ratings Dominance: A Rare Network TV Phenomenon
In an era dominated by streaming platforms like Netflix and Prime Video, Tracker is a rare example of a traditional network drama outperforming expectations.
Why are the ratings so strong?
1. Familiar Procedural Comfort
American audiences love structured, case-of-the-week storytelling. Shows like NCIS and Blue Bloods paved the way. Tracker taps into that DNA.
2. Modern Lone-Wolf Hero
Colter Shaw represents independence, resilience, and moral clarity — traits deeply rooted in American storytelling.
3. Family Mystery Arc
The ongoing tension between Colter, Russell, and Dory adds emotional depth, keeping viewers invested beyond weekly cases.
4. Justin Hartley’s Star Power
Following his success on This Is Us, Hartley brought an existing fanbase into the series.
The result? Tracker consistently tops weekly US viewership charts and has been labeled the biggest new network drama success in years.
Why Tracker Resonates in America
This series feels unmistakably American.
The Road-Trip Aesthetic
Wide highways. National parks. Small-town diners. Desert landscapes. Forest backroads. Even though filmed in Canada, the series captures the mythic American road narrative.
Heartland Values
The show often explores themes of:
-
Family loyalty
-
Justice
-
Redemption
These themes resonate strongly with middle-America audiences.
Accessibility
You don’t need to watch every episode to understand what’s happening. That accessibility makes it ideal for casual viewers — a key to network success.
Cultural Impact & Fun Facts (2026)
By Season 3, Tracker has firmly entered American pop culture.
-
The Colter Shaw novels by Jeffery Deaver have seen increased sales.
-
Justin Hartley and Sofia Pernas’s on-screen rivalry generates fan buzz.
-
Jensen Ackles’s appearances trend regularly on social media.
-
The Airstream RV has become a visual icon of the series.
-
It represents one of CBS’s strongest Sunday night lineups in decades.
At over 33+ episodes and counting, Colter Shaw has become one of the defining TV heroes of the 2020s.
Conclusion: The Future of Tracqueur / Tracker
In a fragmented media world, Tracker proves that classic network television still works — when done right.
It combines:
-
High-stakes action
-
Emotional family drama
-
A charismatic lead
-
Beautiful American landscapes
-
Reliable weekly storytelling
With Season 4 confirmed and ratings still dominant, Colter Shaw’s journey across America is far from over.
And for millions of US viewers every Sunday night, one thing is clear:
Tracker isn’t just a hit — it’s a television phenomenon.
Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
1. Is Tracker based on a book?
Yes. It is based on Jeffery Deaver’s 2019 novel The Never Game.
2. Where is Tracker filmed?
Primarily in Vancouver, Canada, though the story is set across the United States.
3. When does Season 3 return in 2026?
New episodes resume March 1, 2026, on CBS.
4. Has Tracker been renewed for Season 4?
Yes. CBS officially renewed the show in January 2026.
5. Why is Tracker so popular in the US?
Its blend of classic procedural storytelling, a strong lead character, emotional family drama, and high-stakes action makes it broadly appealing across American audiences.
