A popular character is making his way back to Tracker this season. The CBS drama has confirmed that Brent Sexton will return as Keaton, the retired police officer who previously teamed up with Colter Shaw.
The return is set for Season 3, Episode 9, titled “Good Trouble,” which airs on Sunday, December 14, 2025. This will be the third time Keaton and Colter have worked together, cementing their partnership as a recurring element of the show.
Who Is Keaton?
Keaton is a retired police officer who first appeared in Tracker Season 2. He built a strong rapport with Colter Shaw after they worked together to find missing campers in the episode “Trust Fall.” Their partnership proved so effective that Keaton later helped Colter with a deeply personal case.
Colter trusted Keaton enough to share a “white whale” case he had been investigating for ten years. Keaton’s fresh perspective was instrumental in uncovering new clues, guiding Colter toward solving the long-standing mystery of Gina Pickett.
What to Expect in Keaton’s Return Episode
The upcoming episode, “Good Trouble,” will see Keaton actively seeking Colter’s help. The official logline for the episode states:
“When Colter’s old friend Keaton asks for help finding his former partner, they uncover a trail of bodies and a conspiracy that runs deeper than they could have imagined.”
This suggests a complex and dark mystery that will test their skills and their trust in each other. Their past collaborations have shown that Keaton operates with a different moral compass than Colter; he is known to be more ruthless and willing to operate in gray areas. In a previous team-up, Keaton tortured a man for information, an act Colter disapproved of but did not stop. This dynamic adds a layer of tension to their partnership, constantly testing Colter’s own professional ethics.
A New Team Dynamic for Colter Shaw
Keaton’s return is part of a larger shift in the team surrounding Colter Shaw this season. The show has undergone significant cast changes, with two main characters departing. Abby McEnany’s Velma, Colter’s handler, left to work on her marriage, while Eric Graise’s Bobby, his tech expert, took a lucrative job in the private sector.
Their roles have been filled by new faces. Chris Lee’s Randy has officially taken over as the team’s tech support, working out of Reenie’s office. Meanwhile, attorney Reenie Greene has hired a new legal assistant, Melanie “Mel” Day, played by Cassady McClincy Zhang.
In this new landscape, Keaton serves as a crucial field partner for Colter. While Colter typically works as a lone wolf, his occasional team-ups with Keaton have proven to be a winning combination. Keaton’s experience and different approach to justice make him a valuable, if sometimes complicating, ally.
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Why Colter Shaw Doesn’t Have a Permanent Partner
Tracker has established that Colter Shaw works best as a solo operator. The show’s producers have emphasized that they did not want the series to become a “phone-a-friend” format where Colter simply calls for help each week. Justin Hartley, who plays Colter, has also expressed a desire for his character to be more self-reliant.
Keaton’s role fits perfectly into this structure. He is not a permanent team member but a trusted ally who appears when his specific skills are needed. This allows Colter to maintain his independence while still benefiting from a capable partnership on particularly challenging cases. Showrunner Elwood Reid has indicated that this supporting cast combination is part of an effort to bring more lightness and varied dynamics to the show, which often deals with dark subject matter.
You can watch the return of Keaton on Tracker on CBS on Sunday, December 14, at 8:30 p.m. ET. Episodes are available to stream on Paramount+ the following day.
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