Colter Shaw is back, and he's not just tracking missing persons anymore. Season 3 of Tracker dives deep into his mysterious past, revealing shocking family lies and bringing major changes to his trusted team.
TL;DR: Your Quick Guide to Tracker Season 3
- Family Bombshells: Colter uncovers more shocking truths about his father's death and his mother's long-held secrets, pushing him on a quest for inner peace.
- Cast Reconfiguration: Velma and Bobby have exited as series regulars, but fan-favorites like Jensen Ackles (Russell) and Chris Lee (Randy) are returning, with Sophia Pernas (Billie) set for a big comeback!
- Where & When to Watch: New episodes air Sundays at 8 p.m. ET on CBS and stream live on Paramount+ Premium, or next day on Paramount+ Essential.
Alright, Tracker fans, if you thought Colter Shaw's life was complicated before, Season 3 just cranked it up to eleven! Our favorite lone wolf rewardist, played by the ever-brooding Justin Hartley, is fresh off the grid after the massive bombshell dropped in the Season 2 finale: the real story behind his father, Ashton's, death. And oh boy, it's a doozy!
Turns out, it wasn't his brother Russell who pushed Ashton off that cliff all those years ago. It was Otto Waldron, at the alleged request of Colter's own mom, Mary Dove. She wanted to leave Ashton, who was apparently "losing it" and becoming paranoid, and take the kids with her. The kicker? Colter's mom let him believe Russell was responsible for years, causing a huge rift between the brothers.
Justin Hartley himself weighed in on this emotional arc, telling Deadline, "It's sort of his journey to find an inner peace with his family… The fact that his own mother knew that he blamed his brother, and she let him do that for a while. It kept the brothers apart, and that's really disappointing. So just [Colter's] quest to find some inner peace with all of that."
"There's not even an excuse he can think of that would warrant that kind of behavior. So, I mean, I guess it could be that she was trying to protect him, but protect him from what? From his own brother? We'll unpack that in Season 3, and we'll get some answers there as well."
— Justin Hartley on Colter's mom's deception (via Deadline)
The premiere episode, "The Process," sees Colter starting a bar brawl before his estranged brother, Russell (played by the fantastic Jensen Ackles), finally tracks him down. Russell, called in by Reenie, becomes the unlikely confidant as Colter unpacks the trauma. Their reunion is a highlight, with a six-minute, heartfelt scene in Colter's Airstream where apologies are made and truths are shared. Showrunner Elwood Reid praised Hartley and Ackles' performances, noting how naturally they portrayed two brothers navigating this complex situation.
While Russell seems more willing to accept their mother's actions, understanding the extreme circumstances she faced, Colter isn't letting it go. He needs answers, and this season will delve deeper into Mary's involvement and the "darker forces" that may have driven Ashton's paranoia. Was Ashton truly unhinged, or was there more to his "paranoia" than met the eye? Russell will even provide a lead to Colter about someone who might know more about their father's past, although Ackles' return for more episodes beyond the initial two is dependent on his schedule.
Get the full scoop on Tracker Season 3! Explore Justin Hartley's comeback, the unfolding Shaw family mystery, big character changes, and all confirmed premiere information. Your go-to guide for the popular CBS show.
Who's In and Who's Out: The Major Cast Reconfiguration for Season 3
Season 3 of Tracker isn't just shaking up Colter's family life; it's also bringing some significant changes to the supporting cast. We've seen some beloved characters exit, while others are stepping into new, expanded roles.
Departures You Should Know About
Sadly, two series regulars will not be returning for Season 3:
- Abby McEnany as Velma Bruin: Colter's trusted handler. According to showrunner Elwood Reid, Velma has reunited with Teddi off-screen.
- Eric Graise as Bobby Exley: The skilled hacker. Bobby is now working as an encryption specialist at a new tech startup, also off-screen.
Elwood Reid clarified the reasons for these changes, emphasizing that the show needs to evolve. He told Us Weekly, "Justin has to carry so much of the show. So I don't want the other characters that are in the show to just be phone-a-friend where whenever he's in trouble, he just picks up the phone. The challenge in season 3 has been how do we build actual good story out of [it]." He assured fans that "None of these people are gone. They're not dead," leaving the door open for potential future appearances, but for now, they won't be regular fixtures.
Returning Faces and Expanded Roles
While some familiar faces are taking a step back, others are stepping up:
- Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw: The titular Tracker, whose journey for answers forms the core of the season.
- Fiona Rene as Reenie: Colter's legal eagle and occasional romantic interest. This season will see her grappling with trauma from her Season 2 kidnapping experience, and Colter will be there to support her.
- Jensen Ackles as Russell Shaw: Colter's older brother, returning for at least the first two episodes to help Colter navigate his family's past and a new, intricate case.
- Chris Lee as Randy: Bobby's cousin, who will now have a recurring role. He's working with Reenie to improve security at her law office, creating a "good bond" between them.
- Sophia Pernas as Billie: A fan-favorite who will be making a return "in a big way" later in the season, assisting Colter with a cool new development.
- Brent Sexton as Keaton: Confirmed to return, though specific details of his storyline are yet to be revealed.
Reid noted that the goal for Season 3 is to "grow the characters out in a meaningful way," giving everyone "some stuff in their life" beyond just assisting Colter. This focus on individual character development promises a richer, more engaging ensemble.
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New Cases, Unexpected Twists, and Colter Becoming the Hunted
Beyond the deeply personal family drama, Tracker Season 3 promises to deliver the high-stakes action and intricate mysteries we've come to expect. The two-part premiere kicks off with Colter and Russell getting embroiled in a case involving a missing ex-wife and her teenage daughter, who are caught up in a much larger, dangerous conspiracy. What starts as a simple search quickly escalates, putting both brothers in serious danger.
Justin Hartley teased a major twist for Colter this season: "He finds himself in a situation at a certain point in our season where he's the one being hunted, which we haven't seen before. Usually, he's the one that's looking for something. That he actually is the one that's being hunted for a little bit here in the season, I think that's a pretty cool turn that I think the audience will really enjoy." Imagine the master tracker suddenly becoming the prey – that's a fresh dynamic that's sure to keep us on the edge of our seats!
We'll also see more of Reenie's personal life as she deals with the emotional fallout from her Season 2 trauma. Colter, known for his ability to connect with strangers but struggle with his own emotions, will step up to support her, hinting at a new layer to their complicated relationship. And with Randy joining Reenie's office, we can expect some "lightness" to balance the darker, heavier cases Colter often tackles.
With more fan-favorite guest stars set to return and a deeper exploration into the Shaw family's "monumental" past, Season 3 looks set to expand the Tracker universe in exciting new ways.
Dive into 'Tracker' Season 3! Investigate big character departures, their impact on Colter Shaw's path, and insider storyline expectations.
How and When You Can Catch All the Tracker Action
Ready to dive into all the mystery and family drama? Here’s your guide to watching Tracker Season 3:
- Premiere Date: Sunday, October 19, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.
- Channel: CBS
- Live Streaming (Paramount+ Premium): If you have a Paramount+ Premium subscription, you can stream new episodes live as they air on CBS, usually at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT.
- On-Demand Streaming (Paramount+ Essential): For Paramount+ Essential subscribers, episodes become available for on-demand streaming the day after they air on CBS. So, for the premiere on Oct 19, you'd be able to watch it on Oct 20.
Upcoming Episode Schedule (Mark Your Calendars!):
- Season 3, Episode 1: "The Process" - Premiered October 19, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT
- Season 3, Episode 2: "Leverage" - October 26, 2025, at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT (Part two of the premiere storyline)
- Season 3, Episode 3: "First Fire" - November 2, 2025, at 8:30 p.m. ET/PT
- Season 3, Episode 4: "No Man's Land" - November 9, 2025, at 8:00 p.m. ET/PT
New episodes generally air Sundays at 8 p.m. ET/PT, but keep an eye on those slightly varying times for the first few episodes!
Justin Hartley dives deeper into Tracker's thrilling second season, pushing Colter Shaw into darker, riskier territory while keeping his core humanity intact.
Frequently Asked Questions About Tracker Season 3
Justin Hartley's hit CBS series Tracker has seen huge success, but its second season sparked talk about a change in tone. We are looking at what makes the show a favorite and what viewers want next.
Sources
- Just Jared: "'Tracker' Season 3 Cast Changes: 2 Stars Exit, Many More Confirmed to Return" (Oct 19, 2025)
- CBS: "Tracker S3 E1 | The Process"
- Deadline: "'Tracker': Justin Hartley Breaks Down Season 3 Premiere & Teases Colter's Journey To 'Find An Inner Peace' As He Unravels The Mystery Around His Father's Death" (October 19, 2025)
- TV Insider: "'Tracker': Justin Hartley Breaks Down 'Heartfelt' Scene With Jensen Ackles in Premiere (VIDEO)" (October 19, 2025)
- The Hollywood Reporter: "Tracker' Lead Justin Hartley Talks Season 3 Premiere & Bringing Back Jensen Ackles" (October 19, 2025)
- TVLine: "Tracker Boss Unpacks Jensen Ackles' Return, Colter And Russell's Emotional Reunion In Part 1 Of Season 3 Premiere" (Oct. 19, 2025)
- TheWrap: "'Tracker' Season 3 Release Schedule: When Do New Episodes Air?"
- CNET: "'Tracker': How to Watch Season 3, Episode 1 Without Cable" (Oct. 19, 2025)
- Us Weekly: "Justin Hartley’s Rare Comments About ‘Tracker’ Losing Multiple Series Regulars Amid Cast Reconfiguration"