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The CBS collection Tracker has been taking part in quick and unfastened with its characters. Whereas Justin Hartley’s Colter Shaw stays on the heart of each episode, and others like Reenie (Fiona Rene) and Velma (Abby McEnany) are mainstays, there was a merry-go-round of lacking others. Bobby (Eric Graise) was lacking for a handful of episodes, whereas Robin Weigert had already lengthy departed the collection as Teddi.

One visitor star particularly, Jensen Ackles, rapidly grew to become a fan favourite when he first appeared on the present. Followers had been much more delighted when it was introduced that he would return and have an even bigger presence going ahead. Nonetheless, that didn’t materialize. With only some episodes left within the second season, and thus little alternative for him to look, followers are hoping that Ackles’ Russell could have an even bigger storyline within the confirmed third season.

Russell Shaw Was a Shining Gentle With an Air of Thriller in ‘Tracker’

Jensen Ackles first appeared in Tracker within the penultimate Episode 12 of Season 1, known as “Off the Books.” He performs Colter’s estranged older brother Russell. The 2 hadn’t spoken in years, ever since Colter caught Russell on the prime of the cliff the place he discovered his useless father mendacity beneath. Colter all the time believed that Russell had one thing to do with the demise. His mom, Mary (Wendy Crewson), additionally inspired him to not communicate to his brother as a result of “nothing good would come of it.”

This wasn’t for lack of making an attempt on Russell’s half. Whereas he had gone off to hitch the army after which was working with a workforce of mercenaries, he repeatedly tried to contact his youthful brother, to no avail. On this episode, he lastly says sufficient is sufficient, finds Colter, and confronts him. It’s not simply to make issues proper. He does guarantee his brother that he had nothing to do with their father’s demise, even revealing that he noticed another person within the woods that day. However it’s additionally as a result of his previous military buddy is lacking, and he wants Colter’s assist. Unable to withstand a case, Colter obliges, and thru the investigation, the 2 reconnect.

Russell is the antithesis of Colter in some ways. He’s conceited however hilarious, not taking life as significantly as Colter. He flirts with Reenie and even tries to make use of his charms on others, a lot to Colter’s embarrassment. He’s the everyday large bro, razzing his little brother and displaying that he deeply cares.

Along with his army coaching and the identical survival abilities Colter realized whereas rising up, he can match Colter toe to toe. Whereas Russell abruptly departs on the finish of that episode, he leaves a token of appreciation for Colter: his pocket knife, letting his little brother know he cares and can all the time be there for him.

Russell Solely Exhibits up As soon as in ‘Tracker’ Season 2

Regardless of teasing that Ackles would have an even bigger presence on the present, he solely seems as soon as extra in Season 2. In Episode 2, “Ontological Shock,” Colter is investigating the case of a lacking man who had gone searching for aliens. When Colter himself goes lacking, Reenie panics and calls Russell for assist.

As anticipated, Russell got here working. He finds Colter, and collectively, the 2 save the person. However in addition they uncover a deep authorities blacksite, and a possible cover-up involving extraterrestrial life. This episode performs into the story of their father as nicely when the person who kidnapped the particular person Colter was searching for tells Russell that he is aware of who he’s and that his father “requested too many questions” and that he has a “lengthy household historical past of getting within the authorities’s method.”

Russell doesn’t appear shocked at this notion, as if he already is aware of issues Colter doesn’t. The suspicion has all the time been that Russell, Mary, and even Colter’s youthful sister Dory (Melissa Roxburgh) knew extra about what Ashton (Lee Tergesen) was doing and what occurred to him than they’re letting on.

Even Colter’s childhood pal Lizzy (Jennifer Morrison), who was additionally alleged to return, knew extra about Ashton than he did. It was Lizzy who revealed to Colter that Ashton was having an affair together with her mom, however she thought he knew. Since then, any point out of Colter’s household has been few and much between.

Followers Want Extra of Russell in ‘Tracker’

Not solely is Russell a enjoyable and dynamic character, however his chemistry with Colter is unbelievable, together with the enjoyable banter between him and Reenie. If Tracker ever dives again into the Colter household thriller and uncovers what actually occurred to Ashton, it is going to be important for Russell to come back again and be a part of that. Primarily based on Mary’s reluctance to let Colter work together with Russell, he clearly is aware of one thing she doesn’t need revealed.

Followers hope that Russell is again indirectly earlier than the tip of Season 2, and that whereas Season 3 continues with the same old formulaic, procedural fashion, the overarching story about Colter’s private life is explored, too. Meaning bringing again all these lacking characters, chief amongst them being Russell.

This might very nicely occur. Hartley did inform TV Insider again in February that the household thriller could be touched on once more in Season 2 and that it “will get actual.” So, there is likely to be rather a lot to look ahead to within the closing episodes of the season. For his half, Ackles is busy lately with the fifth and closing season of The Boys, set to premiere in 2026, and he could seem within the second season of its spin-off collection Gen V, although there’s no official launch date for that. On this identical franchise, he’ll star within the prequel collection Vought Rising, which was introduced at San Diego Comedian Con in 2024 however has but to obtain a launch date.

Ackles can even be starring within the upcoming Prime Video collection Countdown, which is scheduled for launch on June 25, 2025. That collection was filmed in Los Angeles from September by way of December 2024. Filming for Tracker Season 2 passed off in Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada, from July 2024 by way of April 2025, creating an overlap. Nonetheless, it’s potential he discovered time to movie scenes for the ultimate episodes of Tracker’s second season.

Followers will likely be crossing their fingers, and Hartley’s hints to TV Insider recommend that possibly there will likely be a teaser of some form earlier than Season 2 wraps up. “I don’t like the thought of wrapping issues up in a fairly little bow only for the sake of the truth that it’s the ultimate episode of the season,” mentioned Hartley. “I’m extra concerned with propelling the story in a method that is sensible.” Translation: We would have a cliffhanger ending that probably contains Russell.

If not in Season 2, the present must carry again the bearded, charming, large brother for Season 3 to solidify his standing as a fan-favorite character. Stream Tracker on Paramount+.