CBS’s Tracker is one of the network’s biggest modern success stories — blending procedural mystery with serialized emotion and anchored by Justin Hartley’s charismatic performance as Colter Shaw. With ratings soaring and a loyal fan base that’s only grown since its 2024 debut, the question insiders are now asking is: could Tracker be the next CBS franchise?
According to several sources close to the production, Tracker showrunner Elwood Reid and CBS executives have “talked creatively” about the possibility of expanding the Tracker universe — potentially through a limited spinoff centered around one of the show’s most popular guest stars.
A World Built for Expansion
Unlike traditional crime dramas, Tracker’s format naturally lends itself to spinoffs. Every episode drops Colter Shaw into a new environment with fresh faces and local mysteries — from survivalists in the Rockies to con artists in Las Vegas. “Each story is a mini-movie,” one insider tells us. “And that means every guest star could theoretically lead a standalone adventure of their own.”
CBS reportedly sees Tracker as having similar franchise potential to FBI or NCIS — properties that thrive on strong character-based storytelling and modular worlds. “There’s no shortage of stories to tell,” Reid said during the 2025 Television Critics Association press event. “The idea of another tracker — or someone Colter has influenced — is always on the table.”
The Most Likely Spinoff Candidates
While CBS hasn’t confirmed any official development, a few Tracker guest stars have generated significant fan buzz and internal conversation:
1. Jensen Ackles as Sam Hartley (Season 2 Finale)
Ackles’ guest role as Sam Hartley, a former bounty hunter with a mysterious connection to Colter’s past, left fans begging for more. The episode broke streaming records for Tracker, and social media lit up with hashtags like #TeamSam and #TrackerOrigins.
“Jensen’s character was designed to feel like a mirror to Colter — same skills, different code,” Reid said. “If there’s ever a spinoff, Sam’s story would be one worth telling.”
2. Sofia Pernas as Layla Cruz (Season 1, Episode 9)
Layla, a tech-savvy investigator with moral gray areas, became a fan favorite overnight. Pernas’ chemistry with Hartley was electric — unsurprising given their real-life marriage — but her character stood on her own as a potential lead. A Layla Cruz: Cyber Tracker limited series has reportedly been “floated” in early creative discussions.
3. Melissa Roxburgh as Ranger Kate Holloway (Season 2, Episode 6)
The Manifest alum impressed critics with her grounded yet fierce portrayal of a park ranger aiding Colter during a wilderness case. Roxburgh’s episode scored one of Tracker’s highest viewership numbers, and fans immediately began pitching a “Tracker: Northern Trails” spinoff online.
4. Aldis Hodge as Detective Marcus Fields (Recurring)
As one of Colter’s few law-enforcement allies, Hodge’s Marcus Fields brings balance and a procedural backbone to the series. Industry chatter hints that CBS has considered a police-centered procedural framed around his character’s city cases — effectively blending Tracker’s tone with FBI-style storytelling.
What Justin Hartley Thinks
When asked about potential spinoffs, Hartley told TV Insider, “I love the idea that this world could keep growing. There are so many amazing actors who’ve come through our show — any of them could carry their own story. I’d absolutely show up for a crossover.”
Elwood Reid echoed that sentiment: “You build characters that feel lived in. If the audience falls in love, that’s when you know you’ve done your job. Whether that leads to a spinoff or not, we’ve already won.”
The Future of the ‘Tracker’ Universe
With Tracker already renewed through Season 4 and global streaming numbers climbing, CBS is sitting on a potential franchise goldmine. For now, the network remains focused on deepening Colter Shaw’s story — but industry insiders agree: spinoffs aren’t a matter of if, but when.
And if that happens, one of these guest stars could soon be leading the next great CBS adventure.
