The hit CBS drama Tracker is back for a third season, and Colter Shaw’s world has been turned upside down. The new season picks up after the shocking revelation about his father’s death, promising his most personal and dangerous missions yet. The season will also see the return of a popular family member as Colter is forced to confront his past.
The series, starring Justin Hartley, follows survivalist and reward seeker Colter Shaw as he travels the country to solve mysteries and find missing people. Season 3 premieres on Sunday, October 19, 2025, at 8/7c on CBS. New episodes will be available to stream the next day on Paramount+.
What Happened in the Tracker Season 2 Finale?
The Season 2 finale delivered a massive twist that will define the new season. Colter finally confronted Otto Waldron, the man connected to his father’s death. Otto confessed to pushing Colter’s father, Ashton, off a cliff. However, he then delivered a bombshell: he claimed that Colter’s mother, Mary Dove Shaw, had asked him to be there that night.
This revelation completely changes Colter’s understanding of his family’s history. Showrunner Elwood Reid explained that Otto’s statement is deliberately ambiguous, leaving much to be explored. He pointed out that Otto said Mary “asked me to be up there,” which is not the same as ordering a murder. The true nature of her request and what exactly happened that night will be a central mystery for Colter to unpack in Season 3.
The Season 3 Premiere and Storyline
The two-part season premiere, titled “The Process,” will immediately address the fallout from Otto’s confession. As Colter grapples with the truth about his father’s death, his brother, Russell, joins him on a new case. The official synopsis reveals they will work together to find the missing wife and daughter of one of Reenie’s clients. Their investigation pulls them into a dangerous underground operation known as “The Process.”
This storyline will mix the show’s classic case-of-the-week format with the ongoing family drama. The premiere episode will begin to explore the complicated history between Otto and Mary Dove. Reid teased that the show will also start to unravel more about Ashton Shaw’s work as a government contractor, a conspiracy that was hinted at in earlier seasons.
“One way to weirdly look at it is Colter grew up to be a guy who comes and helps people. I think back in the day, Otto may have been that guy for his mother, but why is going to be a bigger question that we’ll explore in Season 3,” said executive producer Elwood Reid.
Who is Returning for the New Season?
The cast for Season 3 features several key returns and some notable changes. Leading the show once again is Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw. Fiona Rene is also back as lawyer Reenie Greene. Her character is set for a new journey, as she will be questioning her life’s direction and making some changes at the start of the season.
Fans will be excited to see Jensen Ackles return as Colter’s brother, Russell Shaw. Ackles is confirmed to appear in multiple episodes, including the two-part season premiere. In a recently released trailer, the brothers are shown teaming up, with one scene featuring them in a bar fight. Ackles’ character jokes, “Rock, paper, scissors for this one?”
Recurring stars Wendy Crewson (Mary Dove Shaw) and Alex Fernandez (Otto Waldron) will also appear in Season 3 as the story delves deeper into the Shaw family secret.
Changes to the Cast and Team
Season 3 will see the departure of two original cast members. Abby McEnany (Velma) and Eric Graise (Bobby) will not return as series regulars. Their characters, Velma Bruin and Bobby Exley, were part of Colter’s support team, with Bobby serving as his tech expert. This has led to questions from fans about how Colter will get his cases and technical support moving forward. In Season 2, Bobby’s cousin Randy, played by Chris Lee, helped out during Bobby’s absence, potentially setting up a new dynamic for the team.
Fan Excitement and First Look
Justin Hartley set fan expectations high when he shared the Season 3 trailer on his Instagram in late September, captioning it, “What we’ve been up to.” He later added that this season is the “best yet.” The trailer showcases the action and drama fans love, including the return of Jensen Ackles. The actor even humorously commented on a scene, writing, “A HORSE?!?! Why didn’t I get a horse???”
The announcement of the trailer and premiere date was met with strong positive reactions from fans online, with many commenting about their excitement and counting down the days until the show’s return.
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