From Leading Man to Creative Architect—Hartley’s Expanding Role in Storytelling
While Justin Hartley is best known to audiences for his emotionally charged performances on This Is Us and his action-driven presence in Tracker, a quieter transformation has been taking place behind the scenes. Over the past several years, Hartley has steadily evolved from just a performer into a producer and creative force—someone who’s using his voice and resources to shape original content with deeper meaning and social relevance.
This shift represents more than just a career move. It marks a new phase of artistic ambition for Hartley—one where he seeks control not just over what he performs, but what gets made, who gets hired, and how stories are told.
The Birth of Change Jar Studios
The turning point in Hartley’s creative evolution came in 2021 with the founding of Change Jar Studios, a production company he launched with longtime collaborators. The goal of the company was clear: to tell “impactful, character-driven stories that explore emotional truth and cultural nuance.”
Hartley explained the name by referencing the metaphor of small, everyday actions creating lasting impact—like a jar slowly filling with change. “Every little idea, every decision, every story adds up to something bigger,” he said.
Change Jar Studios began developing television series, films, and documentaries, with an eye toward emotionally resonant material that could thrive across platforms—from network television to streaming and independent film.
Producing Tracker: Taking Creative Control
When Hartley signed on for the CBS series Tracker, based on Jeffery Deaver’s Colter Shaw novels, he didn’t just take the lead role—he also came on board as an executive producer. This wasn’t merely a vanity title. Hartley had a strong hand in casting, script development, and even location scouting.
He worked closely with showrunners and writers to ensure that Colter Shaw wasn’t just a stock action hero, but a fully realized character with a complex emotional backstory. Hartley was particularly insistent that the show explore the protagonist’s trauma and familial conflict in ways that viewers could connect with.
The gamble paid off. Tracker debuted to strong ratings in 2024 and was quickly renewed for a second season. Critics credited Hartley not only for his on-screen performance, but for shaping the tone and structure of a show that balanced weekly procedural plots with long-form character arcs.
Venturing Into Documentary: Truth Be Buried
In 2025, Hartley announced one of his most ambitious projects yet: Truth Be Buried, a docuseries for HBO Max that investigates America’s most chilling and unresolved cold cases. The series marked his debut as both host and producer in the true crime space, a genre he had long been fascinated by.
Unlike many sensationalist series in the genre, Truth Be Buried aimed for a respectful, humanistic approach. Each episode told the story not just of a crime, but of the community still dealing with its aftermath. Hartley traveled to small towns, interviewed families, and participated in on-site investigations.
“I didn’t want to just narrate from a sound booth,” Hartley said. “I wanted to look these people in the eye, hear their stories, and honor the pain they’re still living with.”
The show received strong advance buzz for its empathy and investigative depth. More than just another celebrity-hosted series, it represented a new kind of engagement—an actor leveraging his fame for real-world impact.
Creative Freedom, Selective Projects
Hartley’s move into producing hasn’t made him less selective—it’s made him more so. He now actively avoids projects that feel superficial or overly commercial. Instead, he looks for material that speaks to themes he finds meaningful: family, redemption, identity, trauma, and justice.
He’s also interested in genre fusion—stories that blend thriller elements with character drama, or romance with social commentary. Sources say he’s developing several limited series that focus on topics such as grief, mental health in men, and the ethics of artificial intelligence.
By producing, Hartley also gains the ability to bring in diverse voices. He has spoken openly about his desire to collaborate with women writers, BIPOC directors, and first-time filmmakers. “Talent is everywhere,” he said. “Access and trust are what’s missing.”
Learning the Ropes and Building Trust
Though Hartley is new to full-scale production, he’s approached the role with humility. He surrounds himself with veteran showrunners, directors, and editors—and listens more than he talks. His colleagues describe him as “inquisitive, respectful, and hands-on without being overbearing.”
“He’s not a celebrity playing producer,” said one HBO executive. “He’s doing the work—he reads every cut, gives thoughtful notes, and really wants to make something meaningful.”
What the Future Holds
With more creative control than ever before, Hartley is poised to become not just a successful actor, but a respected industry figure in the mold of Reese Witherspoon, Brad Pitt, or Ben Affleck—performers who use their platform to nurture great storytelling.
Upcoming projects reportedly include:
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A Netflix political thriller titled Capital Veins, in which Hartley plays a morally conflicted U.S. senator (also serving as producer).
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A romantic drama series for Apple TV+ about second chances and estranged families.
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An adaptation of a bestselling memoir centered around a father-daughter road trip.
Conclusion: The Artist Behind the Actor
Justin Hartley’s producing career is still in its early stages, but it already shows signs of a clear artistic identity. He’s drawn to emotionally grounded, socially relevant stories—and he’s not afraid to get his hands dirty to make them happen.
For fans who’ve followed his rise from daytime soaps to primetime stardom, this new chapter offers an even deeper reason to admire him. Hartley isn’t just playing characters anymore. He’s shaping narratives—carefully, deliberately, and with purpose.
And in doing so, he’s redefining what it means to be a leading man in modern Hollywood.
