A Confirmed Comeback—Season 3 Officially in the Works
Fans of Tracker can breathe a sigh of relief—CBS has officially renewed the gripping crime procedural for a third season. Following a record-breaking run through its second season, the network confirmed in early 2025 that Justin Hartley’s Colter Shaw would return once again to solve more high-stakes cases across the country. The renewal underscores the show’s unstoppable momentum, as it continues to dominate CBS’s primetime lineup and consistently draw in millions of viewers weekly.
Season 3 is set to air during the 2025–2026 television season, with the network retaining the familiar Sunday night 8 p.m. ET slot. While an exact premiere date hasn’t been announced yet, production is expected to begin in late summer or early fall, keeping the show on track for an early 2026 release.
Season 2 Recap—Twists, Revelations, and a Haunting Cliffhanger
Season 2 of Tracker ended with Episode 20, titled “Echo Ridge,” a finale that left audiences reeling with its powerful cliffhanger. Colter Shaw’s ongoing investigation into his father’s mysterious death came to a head, exposing new details about a possible conspiracy and hinting at deeper truths hidden within his family’s past.
In addition to solving weekly cases that ranged from missing persons to corporate sabotage, the season explored Colter’s emotional vulnerabilities and evolving relationships with recurring characters like Reenie, Bob Exley, and Teddi Bruin. With the season finale opening doors to a much larger narrative involving Colter’s own safety, fans are now left eagerly awaiting what comes next in this expanding universe.
Justin Hartley Teases Major Changes for Colter Shaw
Star and executive producer Justin Hartley has hinted that the upcoming season may push Colter Shaw into even more dangerous territory. In recent interviews, Hartley suggested that Shaw may be “set up” by unknown forces, forcing him to go completely off the grid. This twist could drastically change the show’s structure—from Shaw being the tracker to becoming the one hunted.
Hartley emphasized that the show would continue to blend high-octane thrills with intimate, character-driven storytelling. If Season 3 follows through on these teases, we may see Colter reconnecting with estranged family members, uncovering government secrets, or even questioning the very foundation of his life’s mission.
Unprecedented Ratings—How “Tracker” Became a Sunday Night Powerhouse
Few expected Tracker to become the juggernaut that it is today. During its second season, the show consistently delivered massive numbers, averaging 17.5 million viewers across all platforms. It was the most-watched new series on any network and played a pivotal role in CBS securing its 17th consecutive year as the No. 1 broadcast network in total viewers.
Its success isn’t just domestic. Tracker has seen strong international viewership through Paramount Global’s syndication strategy, making it one of the most globally recognized new franchises in recent television history.
What’s Next—Season 3 Themes, Cast, and Streaming Access
While the full cast for Season 3 hasn’t been confirmed, it’s expected that Justin Hartley will return as Colter Shaw, alongside several fan-favorite supporting characters. New cast announcements may arrive later this year as filming ramps up.
Thematically, Season 3 promises to raise the stakes. With Colter’s personal life now under threat and bigger forces at play, the show may lean more into serialized storytelling, departing slightly from its “case of the week” format.
For those who want to catch up, Seasons 1 and 2 of Tracker are currently available to stream on Paramount+. Season 2 is expected to drop on Hulu later this summer.
