If you haven’t started watching CBS’s Tracker yet, you’re missing out on one of the most captivating, emotionally charged, and expertly crafted crime dramas on television. Led by This Is Us alum Justin Hartley, this show blends action, heart, and mystery in ways that make it stand out in a sea of formulaic procedurals.
Whether you’re a fan of gripping investigations, survival stories, or just great television, here are 5 irresistible reasons why Tracker should be your next binge.
1. Justin Hartley Like You’ve Never Seen Him Before
Forget the charming, emotionally conflicted Kevin Pearson. In Tracker, Justin Hartley reinvents himself as Colter Shaw, a rugged, deeply complex loner who tracks missing persons for reward money. He’s not a cop, not a PI, and not anyone’s hero—he’s a man with a mysterious past and unmatched instincts.
Hartley delivers a career-defining performance, blending quiet vulnerability with tough determination. He doesn’t need to shout to take command of a scene—he just walks into the frame, and you can’t look away. This role lets him flex both physical grit and emotional depth like never before.
2. Every Episode Is a New Case—and a New Emotional Puzzle
Tracker isn’t your typical crime-of-the-week show. Yes, each episode centers on a new case—someone missing, someone hiding, someone in danger—but underneath the mystery lies an emotional core. These aren’t just puzzles to solve. They’re stories about people, pain, and redemption.
You’ll find yourself not only guessing what happened, but caring deeply about each person involved. And as Colter solves each case, you begin to realize: he’s also trying to solve himself.
3. It’s a Crime Drama, Survival Thriller, and Road Movie in One
What makes Tracker so refreshingly unique is how it mashes up genres seamlessly. One minute, you’re in a heart-wrenching family drama. The next, you’re holding your breath as Colter stalks through dense woods, reading clues from broken twigs and tire tracks.
Every episode drops you into a new American town, a new community, and a new moral dilemma. From city back alleys to wild national parks, the constantly changing settings make the show feel like a cross-country journey—one filled with danger, beauty, and hidden truths.
4. A Hero Who Follows His Own Moral Compass
Colter Shaw doesn’t follow the rules—and that’s what makes him fascinating. Raised in a survivalist compound by a paranoid father, he sees the world differently. He’s incredibly intelligent, but emotionally distant. He helps people not for money, but because deep down, he needs to believe people can be saved—even if he couldn’t save his own family.
He breaks laws when they don’t serve justice. He makes tough decisions with no guarantees. He’s a rare kind of character on network TV: one who’s morally complex, unpredictable, and deeply human.
5. The Mystery of Colter’s Past Will Hook You Hard
While each case offers closure, Colter’s personal story remains an open wound—and a growing mystery. What really happened to his brother? Was his father’s death an accident or something darker? Why does he keep running from the past even as he chases down others?
Flashbacks and subtle clues build a larger narrative across the season, slowly pulling viewers into a haunting family history full of secrets, fear, and loss. This overarching thread makes Tracker more than just a procedural—it’s a layered, psychological drama you won’t be able to stop thinking about.
Final Word: Tracker Isn’t Just a Show—It’s a Journey
In a world where TV often sacrifices substance for spectacle, Tracker dares to do both. It gives you breathtaking chases, emotional stakes, sharp writing, and a lead character you’ll root for, fear for, and never quite figure out.
So if you’re looking for a show that combines action, intelligence, mystery, and heart—stop scrolling. Start watching Tracker.
New episodes air Sundays on CBS and stream on Paramount+. You don’t just watch Colter Shaw—you follow him.
