Tracker (American TV series)
Tracker | |
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Genre | |
Based on | The Never Game by Jeffery Deaver |
Developed by | Ben H. Winters |
Starring |
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Music by | Tyler Bates |
Country of origin | United States |
Original language | English |
No. of seasons | 1 |
No. of episodes | 13 |
Production | |
Executive producers |
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Producers |
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Production location | Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada |
Cinematography |
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Editors |
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Camera setup | Single-camera |
Production companies |
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Original release | |
Network | CBS |
Release | February 11, 2024 present | –
Tracker is an American action drama television series created by Ben H. Winters and based on the 2019 novel The Never Game by Jeffery Deaver.[1][2] The series stars Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw, a skilled survivalist and tracker who earns his living by assisting law enforcement and private citizens in exchange for reward money. Hartley is joined by principal cast members Robin Weigert, Abby McEnany, Eric Graise, and Fiona Rene.
The series is produced by 20th Television and was given a series order in December 2022, after initially being picked up for a pilot in July 2022. It was filmed in British Columbia, Canada, leveraging the scenic locales of the Vancouver metro area, and in Vancouver Film Studios. Winters and Hilary Weisman Graham served as showrunners.[3]
Tracker premiered on February 11, 2024, following Super Bowl LVIII on CBS.[4] In March 2024 the series was renewed for a second season which is scheduled to premiere on October 13, 2024.[5][6]
Cast and characters
[edit]Main
[edit]- Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw,[7] a lone-wolf survivalist with extensive tracking skills who travels the country as a "rewardist." Shaw makes his living aiding law enforcement and private citizens in exchange for reward money.[2] In the episode "Klamath Falls", Colter Shaw as a youth is played by Prestyn Bates.
- Robin Weigert as Teddi Bruin (season 1),[8][9] who act as one of Colter's handlers, finding cases for him to take and doing background research for him while on cases
- Abby McEnany as Velma Bruin,[8] Teddi's wife and Colter's second handler
- Eric Graise as Bobby Exley,[8][10] assists Shaw from a technical standpoint[11]
- Fiona Rene as Reenie Greene,[10] an attorney who assists Shaw in legal matters
Guest starring
[edit]- Lee Tergesen as Ashton Shaw, Colter's father[11]
- Mathew Nelson-Mahood as young Russell Shaw[11]
- Wendy Crewson as Mary Dove Shaw, Colter's mother[12][11]
- Anja Savcic as Kira Stine
- Richard Harmon as Matt Winslow
- Bradley Stryker as Tom Tozer
- Marley Shelton as Erika Kennedy
- Sofia Pernas as Billie Matalon
- Dianne Doan as Sun Mai
- Diana-Maria Riva as Detective Helen Brock
- Gil Birmingham as Gus, a friend of Reenie's father
- Peter Stormare as Valts
- Melissa Roxburgh as Dory,[13] Colter's younger sister who is a physics professor at Wyoming Science University
- Jensen Ackles as adult Russell Shaw,[14] Colter's estranged older brother
- Jennifer Morrison as Lizzy Hawking, a family friend of Colter's
Episodes
[edit]No. overall | No. in season | Title | Directed by | Written by | Original air date | Prod. code | U.S. viewers (millions) |
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1 | 1 | "Klamath Falls" | Ken Olin | Ben H. Winters | February 11, 2024 | 1NHU01 | 18.44[15] |
Colter Shaw is a professional "tracker" who lives off reward money for finding missing people. After rescuing a hiker in Nevada, Colter receives a mission from his co-handler Teddi to find 14-year-old Gilbert Brown, believed to be with his non-custodial father Edward. Colter contacts tech expert Bobby and learns Gilbert agreed to meet with his father at a restaurant. After entering the security room, Colter learns Gilbert is not with his father before being arrested. Teddi contacts attorney Reenie, who gets Colter released. Bobby tells Colter that Edward died months ago and learns from Edward's rehab friends that the kidnapper is Jack Horvath, another patient who impersonated Edward so Gilbert would lead him to money Edward buried. Colter enters the forest and finds Gilbert handcuffed to a truck. Jack arrives, and Colter convinces him to hand over the handcuffs key, but a police helicopter appears, leading Jack to shoot Colter in the shoulder and flee in his truck. Jack hops into the bed, and after a police chase Jack shoots himself, causing the truck to slide partially off a cliff. The two fall into the water below and survive. After calls from his brother Russell, Colter visits their father's grave. | |||||||
2 | 2 | "Missoula" | Ken Olin | Tegan Shohet & David Radcliff | February 18, 2024 | 1NHU04 | 6.87[16] |
Colter's mother tells him someone broke into his father's office. In Montana, accountant Jackson Cheong is missing after quitting his job. Colter learns from Bobby that Jackson's girlfriend Rebecca is a con-artist. He goes to Rebecca's address and finds live security footage of various people, including Jackson. After being confronted by guards, Colter follows one to a conference where Rebecca is speaking to a cult led by a man named Seth. At the cult's commune, Colter agrees to meet Seth, who asks about Colter's father, before seeing Jackson. Jackson tells Colter he refuses to go home, so Colter gives him his number. Colter gets a text from Jackson to meet that night, but the cult leaders appear and tell him Jackson has been moved. Teddi tells Colter that Seth has photos of a former member he murdered when he tried to leave in his office. A cultist follows him, but Colter gains the upper hand and has the cultist drive him to Seth's office. He finds Jackson and shows him the photos, convincing him Rebecca is evil, but Rebecca finds them. Jackson tackles Rebecca, allowing Colter to get her gun. The cult leaders are arrested, and Jackson returns home. | |||||||
3 | 3 | "Springland" | Ken Olin | Elwood Reid | February 25, 2024 | 1NHU02 | 7.12[17] |
Near Cascade, Idaho, Colter sees a man confronting a woman for leaving a poster for her sister, vanlifer Mia Stine, on his car, with Colter getting stabbed when he intervenes. He meets Kira Stine and the sheriff, the latter of whom believes Mia simply left town. Colter finds a trail camera and calls Bobby, but is confronted by the man from before, who tells him Mia wasn't sleeping in her van. Colter suspects Matt Winslow, a resort heir and rock-climber Mia had met. He goes to Matt's home, where he claims Mia ghosted him and gave him a note. Bobby tells Colter Mia's van was found on Winslow property. When Colter opens the van's door, he and Kira are shot at. He brings the sheriff to the van only to find it missing. Reenie arrives and tells Colter a man who sued the Winslows died, and that Mia was set to testify. They confront Matt, who admits that his parents' driver killed the plaintiff. Colter accuses Matt's mother of killing Mia, which she admits to doing to prevent Matt leaving Springland with her. Mia's body is found on Winslow property and Reenie tells Colter she got a call from Russell. | |||||||
4 | 4 | "Mt. Shasta" | Doug Aarniokoski | Steve Harper | March 3, 2024 | 1NHU03 | 7.61[18] |
Reenie's friend Erika believes her son Noah ran away from his boarding school, so Reenie calls Colter to investigate. Colter interviews the school's headmaster and security chief Ritter, who believe Noah relapsed and fled looking for drugs. Noah's friend tells Colter he saw Noah arguing with school employee Zeke, and security footage shows Noah in Zeke's van. Bobby finds Zeke made several phone calls to a home, so Colter visits the address and meets Noah's girlfriend. The girlfriend says Zeke snuck Noah out to confront her abusive ex-boyfriend and former drug dealer Ray. Colter goes to the bar Noah and Ray went to, and the bouncer says Ray drove after Noah and Zeke following an argument. Colter discovers Zeke shot dead on a remote road and his crashed car nearby. He meets Ritter, and the two search for Noah before splitting. Colter encounters a wounded Noah and treats his injuries. Ritter is non-fatally shot by Ray, who finds Colter and Noah. Colter injures Ray in a shoot-out and the two flee. Noah reunites with his mother, Ritter survives his injuries, and Colter leaves a memento for Noah for his survival skills before leaving for Manhattan, Kansas. | |||||||
5 | 5 | "St. Louis" | Gonzalo Amat | Travis Donnelly & Graham Thiel | March 17, 2024 | 1NHU05 | 7.55[19] |
16-year-old Stephanie Porter posts a reward to find a witness to testify at her father's second murder trial. Clay Porter was accused of killing his business partner Avery Ingram after discovering him running an underground poker game. An anonymous comment on Stephanie's fundraiser claimed to witness the murder. Colter enters the poker game, but it's raided by the police. After Reenie Greene bails him out, Colter questions a woman from the game, who says her friend Mallory witnessed the murder. Clay says Mallory was Avery's girlfriend and describes her vehicle. Teddi says Mallory sold her car in Kansas City. Meanwhile, Clay is shanked by another inmate. Reenie learns from Clay's lawyer Loutreau that Stephanie has been emailing him. In Kansas City, Colter finds Mallory's address and heads to speak with Mallory but is knocked out by her uncle. After Colter tells them his identity, Mallory identifies Avery's killer as Caesar Ashford and agrees to go back to St. Louis. Reenie tells Colter that Loutreau works for Caesar, but Loutreau kidnaps her. Realizing Loutreau and Caesar are tracking his phone, Colter heads to the meet point and knocks Caesar off the roof following a fight. Reenie is rescued, and with Mallory's testimony Clay will be acquitted of murder. | |||||||
6 | 6 | "Lexington" | Marisol Adler | Sharon Lee Watson & Amanda Mortlock | March 24, 2024 | 1NHU06 | 7.28[20] |
Colter is tasked to find kidnapped racehorse Argo by its caretaker Hugh Laslow, one of its four owners. The kidnapper also stole documents that allow Argo to race. If the horse were to win an upcoming race, it would secure a spot in the Kentucky Derby. Colter runs into Billie, a rival tracker on the same mission. She previously betrayed him in Miami, stealing the reward money and fleeing. Colter encounters Billie at an event held by another co-owner and the two break into a safe to no avail. Billie suggests teaming up, and Colter initially declines but changes his mind. Colter realizes the kidnapper rode Argo out of the farm. After questioning Argo's veterinarian they investigate Argo's former trainer but find him murdered, with Colter finding a tranquilizer nearby. They learn Argo was sterile and couldn't race, determining he was kidnapped for insurance. Billie and Colter escape a burning barn. Bobby finds an address that leads them to Argo, but co-owner Stuart Tyler holds them hostage. They disarm him and return Argo to Hugh. Stuart and the vet, who he was bribing, are arrested, and Argo's papers are found in Stuart's home, but the FBI freezes the bank account containing Billie and Colter's reward money. | |||||||
7 | 7 | "Chicago" | Aprill Winney | Ben H. Winters & Jai Franklin Sarki | March 31, 2024 | 1NHU07 | 6.80[21] |
Bobby asks Colter to find his friend, MMA fighter Sun Mai. Her gym's owner Art Arfabo suspects she was deported, but ICE says they have no record of this. Sun's mother mentions immigration lawyer George Prine, who Teddi and Velma find is actually conman Mark Johnson. Colter confronts Johnson, who says Sun was kidnapped by loan sharks. Colter sneaks into their van. The van makes an unexpected stop to drop off the money. Colter has Bobby pick him up and follow the van, which Colter left his phone in. It leads them to an underground fighting ring, which Sun is part of. Bobby follows Colter inside without him knowing. Colter convinces Sun to leave, but one of the sharks holds him at gunpoint. Bobby helps subdue him, but Art, who was the ringleader of the fighting ring, appears and holds the three hostage. Colter manages to disarm Art, who flees but is cornered by Bobby in his vehicle. Art is arrested, as is Mark, and due to his fraud Sun and her mother are eligible for U visas. Bobby offers to buy lunch for Colter and Reenie, but Colter leaves for a job in Sioux City. | |||||||
8 | 8 | "Camden" | Bethany Rooney | Travis Donnelly & Tegan Shohet | April 14, 2024 | 1NHU08 | 8.19[22] |
9 | 9 | "Aurora" | Jon Huertas | Sharon Lee Watson | April 21, 2024 | 1NHU09 | 7.60[23] |
10 | 10 | "Into the Wild" | Larry Teng | Elwood Reid | April 28, 2024 | 1NHU10 | 7.70[24] |
11 | 11 | "Beyond the Campus Walls" | Joel Novoa | Travis Donnelly | May 5, 2024 | 1NHU11 | 7.64[25] |
12 | 12 | "Off the Books" | Clara Aranovich | Elwood Reid & Sharon Lee Watson | May 12, 2024 | 1NHU12 | 7.30[26] |
13 | 13 | "The Storm" | Ken Olin | Elwood Reid & Sharon Lee Watson | May 19, 2024 | 1NHU13 | 7.65[27] |
Production
[edit]Development
[edit]Tracker is produced by 20th Television and based on Jeffery Deaver's 2019 novel The Never Game.[7] The series was picked up to pilot by CBS in July 2022.[1] In December 2022, it was given a series order.[2] In March 2023, the title of the series was changed to Tracker.[28] On March 4, 2024, the series was renewed for a second season.[5]
Casting
[edit]In January 2021, Justin Hartley joined the series as Colter Shaw.[7] In September 2022, Mary McDonnell was cast as Mary Dove Shaw.[29] That month, Robin Weigert, Abby McEnany, and Eric Graise had also joined the series.[8] In April 2024, Melissa Roxburgh and Jensen Ackles were cast to guest star.[13][14] In August 2024, it was reported that Weigert is not returning as a series regular for the second season.[9]
Filming
[edit]Tracker is filmed in British Columbia, Canada, on location around the Vancouver metro area, and at Vancouver Film Studios.[30] Filming for the second season began on July 16, 2024 and is scheduled to conclude on April 22, 2025.[31]
Broadcast
[edit]Tracker premiered on February 11, 2024, on CBS in the United States as the lead-out show following Super Bowl LVIII (except in Kansas City, where Super Bowl postgame victory coverage led to the show airing on a sister station).[4] In Canada, the series aired in simulcast on CTV.[32] The second season is scheduled to premiere on October 13, 2024 on CBS.[6]
Reception
[edit]The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an 88% approval rating with an average rating of 6.8/10, based on 17 critic reviews. The website's critics consensus reads, "Making great use of Justin Hartley's swaggering appeal, Tracker takes a spartan approach to a classic formula and yields a highly efficient entertainment."[33] Metacritic, which uses a weighted average, assigned a score of 64 out of 100 based on 12 critics, indicating "generally favorable reviews".[34]
References
[edit]- ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (July 21, 2022). "Justin Hartley Drama The Never Game Lands CBS Pilot Order". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on December 28, 2022. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ a b c Rice, Lynette (December 15, 2022). "CBS Orders The Never Game Starring Justin Hartley For 2023-24 Season". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on June 19, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ Petski, Denise; Andreeva, Nellie (February 16, 2023). "Hilary Weisman Graham Tapped As Co-Showrunner For CBS' The Never Game Starring Justin Hartley". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 13, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ a b Rice, Lynette (May 10, 2023). "Tracker: CBS To Premiere Justin Hartley Starrer After Super Bowl In 2024". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on September 23, 2023. Retrieved November 13, 2023.
- ^ a b Andreeva, Nellie (March 4, 2024). "Justin Hartley Series 'Tracker' Gets Early Season 2 Renewal By CBS". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
- ^ a b Petski, Denise (July 26, 2024). "'Tracker' Season 2 & 'The Equalizer' Season 5 Premiere Dates Shift To CBS Premiere Week". Deadline Hollywood. Retrieved July 26, 2024.
- ^ a b c Andreeva, Nellie (January 15, 2021). "Justin Hartley To Star In The Never Game TV Adaptation In Works At 20th Television, Will EP With Ken Olin". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
- ^ a b c d Andreeva, Nellie (September 30, 2022). "Robin Weigert, Abby McEnany & Eric Graise Join Justin Hartley In The Never Game CBS Drama Pilot". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
- ^ a b Schwartz, Ryan (August 9, 2024). "Tracker Shake-Up: [Spoiler] Out Ahead of Season 2 (Exclusive)". TVLine. Retrieved August 9, 2024.
- ^ a b Seitz, Loree (February 11, 2024). "'Tracker' Cast and Character Guide: Who's Who in the New CBS Show?". TheWrap. Retrieved May 13, 2024.
- ^ a b c d Beth, Amy (February 8, 2024). "'Tracker': Release Date, Cast, Plot, and Everything We Know So Far". Collider. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
- ^ Yohannes, Alamin (February 9, 2024). "Justin Hartley explains why he chose 'Tracker' after 'This Is Us'". Entertainment Weekly. Retrieved February 12, 2024.
- ^ a b Schwartz, Ryan (April 15, 2024). "Tracker Casts Manifest's Melissa Roxburgh as Colter's Sister Dory — See First Photo". TVLine. Retrieved April 15, 2024.
- ^ a b Schwartz, Ryan (April 25, 2024). "Tracker: Jensen Ackles Cast as Colter's Brother Russell — Get First Look". TVLine. Retrieved April 25, 2024.
- ^ Pucci, Douglas (February 12, 2024). "Sunday Ratings: Super Bowl LVIII on CBS, Nickelodeon, Univision and Paramount+ Significantly Up from Year-Ago Big Game to Set New Record Viewership". Programming Insider. Retrieved February 13, 2024.
- ^ Pucci, Douglas (February 19, 2024). "Sunday Ratings: Tracker Builds in Total Viewers Out of Equalizer Lead-In for CBS, TNT and TBS Win Key Demos with NBA All-Star Game". Programming Insider. Retrieved February 21, 2024.
- ^ Pucci, Douglas (February 26, 2024). "Sunday Ratings: Tracker on CBS Once Again Improves Upon Lead-In The Equalizer". Programming Insider. Retrieved February 28, 2024.
- ^ Pucci, Douglas (March 5, 2024). "Sunday Ratings: Caitlin Clark's Regular Season Finale is Most-Watched Women's College Basketball Regular Season Contest on Any Network in 25 Years". Programming Insider. Retrieved March 5, 2024.
- ^ Pucci, Douglas (March 19, 2024). "Sunday Ratings: Women's College Basketball Selection Show on ESPN Nearly Ties ABC's American Idol for Tops in 18-49 Within its Hour". Programming Insider. Retrieved March 19, 2024.
- ^ Pucci, Douglas (March 26, 2024). "Sunday Ratings: TNT, TBS and truTV Lead in Prime Time Demos with NCAA March Madness". Programming Insider. Retrieved March 26, 2024.
- ^ Pucci, Douglas (April 2, 2024). "Sunday Ratings: NC State-Duke NCAA Men's Basketball Elite Eight Game on CBS is TV's Most-Watched Easter Day Telecast Since 2013". Programming Insider. Retrieved April 2, 2024.
- ^ Pucci, Douglas (April 16, 2024). "Sunday Ratings: Billy Joel's 100th MSG Concert on CBS Tops in Latter Three Half-Hours of Prime Time". Programming Insider. Retrieved April 16, 2024.
- ^ Pucci, Douglas (April 23, 2024). "Sunday Ratings: NBA Playoffs Give TNT Key Prime Time Demos Victory by Large Margin". Programming Insider. Retrieved April 23, 2024.
- ^ Pucci, Douglas (May 1, 2024). "Sunday Ratings: 'American Idol' on ABC Rises to Season-High with Live Top-Ten Performances". Programming Insider. Retrieved May 1, 2024.
- ^ Pucci, Douglas (May 7, 2024). "Sunday Ratings: Miami Grand Prix on ABC Drives to Largest U.S. Audience for Formula 1 Racing To-Date". Programming Insider. Retrieved May 7, 2024.
- ^ Pucci, Douglas (May 14, 2024). "Sunday Ratings: Nuggets-Timberwolves Continues as the Lone NBA Conference Semifinal Series to Grow Year-Over-Year". Programming Insider. Retrieved May 14, 2024.
- ^ Pucci, Douglas (May 21, 2024). "Sunday Ratings: 'American Idol' on ABC Earns Season-Highs in Total Viewers and Demos with 22nd Finale". Programming Insider. Retrieved May 21, 2024.
- ^ Mitovich, Matt Webb (March 15, 2023). "Justin Hartley's CBS Series Gets a New, Better Title (And an Itty-Bitty Teaser)". TVLine. Archived from the original on November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
- ^ Andreeva, Nellie (September 29, 2022). "Mary McDonnell Joins Justin Hartley In CBS Drama Pilot The Never Game". Deadline Hollywood. Archived from the original on November 7, 2023. Retrieved November 7, 2023.
- ^ "Tracker: Exploring All Filming Sites of the CBS Show". TheCinemaholic. February 9, 2024. Archived from the original on February 21, 2024.
- ^ "DGC BC Production List". Directors Guild of Canada. July 19, 2024. Archived from the original on July 23, 2024. Retrieved July 23, 2024.
- ^ "CTV Celebrates 22 Consecutive Years as Canada's Most-Watched Network" (Press release). Bell Media. June 8, 2023. Archived from the original on June 17, 2023. Retrieved June 8, 2023.
- ^ "Tracker: Season 1". Rotten Tomatoes. Retrieved April 19, 2024.
- ^ "Tracker: Season 1". Metacritic. Retrieved March 4, 2024.
External links
[edit]- 2020s American drama television series
- 2024 American television series debuts
- American action television series
- CBS original programming
- American English-language television shows
- Television shows filmed in British Columbia
- Television shows filmed in Vancouver
- Television shows set in Oregon
- Television series by 20th Century Fox Television
- Television shows based on American novels
- CBS television dramas