Tracker fans have reason to get excited. The CBS action drama is coming back for a fourth season, and lead star Justin Hartley is promising that this will be the show’s biggest and richest chapter yet. With production already underway and a confirmed premiere date locked in, here is everything you need to know about what is coming next for Colter Shaw.
The show, which follows a lone-wolf survivalist who travels across the country finding missing people for reward money, has become one of the most-watched broadcast series in the United States. After three successful seasons filmed in Vancouver, the series is making some major changes for its return.
CBS Confirms Tracker Season 4 Premiere Date
CBS officially renewed Tracker for a fourth season back in January 2026, while season 3 was still airing. The network has now set a concrete premiere date for the new season.
Tracker Season 4 will premiere on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at 9:30 PM ET on CBS. The premiere will follow the season 2 premiere of Marshals. After the first episode, the show will move back to its regular 9:00-10:00 PM timeslot starting Sunday, October 11.
The series is expected to follow its previous 22-episode pattern, though the exact episode count for season 4 has not been officially announced. For international viewers, the show will be available on Paramount+ in multiple regions, including the USA, UK, Canada, Australia, and India, with new episodes typically arriving the day after they air on CBS.
Justin Hartley Calls Season 4 the ‘Most Ambitious’ Yet
Justin Hartley, who plays the lead character Colter Shaw and also serves as an executive producer, has been open about his excitement for the new season. In an interview with TheWrap in May 2026, he shared his thoughts on what fans can expect.
“We’ll come back with something — we already have it, it’s pretty incredible. Honestly, I think it’s our most ambitious season to date, but I think it’s also our richest one, in terms of character and backstory and where we’re taking Colter.”
Hartley explained that the first three seasons focused on unpacking the mystery surrounding the death of Colter’s father, Ashton Shaw. The story evolved throughout the show’s run, with Colter initially believing his brother Russell was involved because his mother told him so. By the end of season 3, those answers finally came to light.
With that mystery now resolved, season 4 will take Colter’s story in a new direction. The show is moving beyond the Shaw family death case that dominated the first three seasons.
Jensen Ackles Returns as Russell Shaw
One of the biggest pieces of news for Tracker fans is the return of Jensen Ackles as Russell Shaw, Colter’s older brother. Hartley confirmed Ackles’ return during a panel at Televerse 26, a three-day television festival that took place in Los Angeles from August 14 to 16, 2026.
When asked about Ackles’ return, Hartley joked about his co-star’s talents.
“What he brings to the show is pretty extraordinary. He’s really talented and extremely ugly. It’s really hard to look at. But other than the looks, he has this incredible work ethic and charm and charisma and talent and all of that. Wonderful, and everybody knows that.”
Hartley also praised Ackles’ dedication on set, saying the Supernatural star shows up ready to work and inspires everyone around him.
At the end of season 3, Russell made a mysterious exit. He helped Colter uncover secrets about their father’s past, then called Reenie (Fiona Rene) and told her he might disappear for a while. He asked her to keep the details from Colter.
Hartley revealed that season 4 will address that cliffhanger directly.
“We left him in a place where he was doing something for Colter — keeping a secret from him, but for Colter’s own good. He took one for the team. ‘I’ll do this for you. Quid pro quo kind of thing. If you just keep [Colter] out of it. He doesn’t need to know any of this stuff. It’s to protect him.’”
When Russell returns in season 4, he will need a favor from Colter and his unique skill set. The two brothers will join forces to solve a problem that Russell has found himself in, which also involves one of his friends.
Production Moves from Vancouver to Los Angeles
Tracker is making a significant production change for season 4. After filming the first three seasons in Vancouver, the show is relocating to Los Angeles.
The move was made possible after the series secured a record-breaking $48 million California tax credit. This is one of the largest incentives ever awarded to a television series under the state’s film and TV program. The show is 20th Television’s biggest series to be brought back to California with the help of a tax credit.
Production for season 4 began in late June 2026, with the studio finalizing facilities in and around Los Angeles. Hartley confirmed that filming was underway by sharing a photo of the Tracker clapperboard on his Instagram Stories in June.
Hartley addressed the move in an interview with Collider, explaining that while the location is changing, the show’s core identity remains the same.
“In terms of tone and character, I don’t think it’ll impact the show at all. Our show is a road show. Our character goes from town to town across the United States of America and meets people from all different walks of life and helps them out. These strangers become kind of his family in a way.”
The actor expressed excitement about the new possibilities that Los Angeles offers. The production can now film in places like New York, Washington D.C., the desert, Texas, and the beach, which opens up the show’s world in terms of landscape.
“I’m proud of what we built in Vancouver. I’m also very excited we’re bringing Tracker to L.A. I’m looking forward to continuing to tell these stories alongside the new, fresh places we’ll be heading to next. Most importantly, I want to thank the fans for showing up for us every step of the way. We couldn’t do this without you.”
Showrunner Elwood Reid also commented on the significance of the move.
“Location is a huge part of the storytelling on Tracker. We’re so grateful to the crew and people of Vancouver who made the first three seasons of this hit drama possible, and are simultaneously thrilled to be able to kick off the fourth season of Tracker by filming in Los Angeles.”
Despite the change in setting, the new season keeps Colter Shaw’s character true to his wandering nature. The production for season 4 follows the same format of a road show without using a studio, with each episode taking 8-9 days to film.
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What to Expect from Colter Shaw’s Story
With the mystery of Ashton Shaw’s death now resolved, Tracker Season 4 will take Colter’s story in a fresh direction. Hartley described the upcoming season as a pivotal one for his character.
The show has spent three years building the story of what happened to Colter’s father and who was involved. Those questions have now been answered, allowing the series to explore new territory.
Hartley shared his thoughts on why he continues to enjoy playing Colter Shaw.
“I think he just has such an interesting life. I really love this character, and I think there’s so much more to do with him. I get the luxury of being him on camera and dealing with this character every day…He is ever evolving.”
The return of Jensen Ackles as Russell Shaw adds another layer to the upcoming season. The brothers will work together, and Russell will need Colter’s help. This new dynamic between the two characters is expected to be a major focus of season 4.
The show has maintained strong ratings on CBS since its launch in February 2024 and has been well reviewed throughout its run. With season 4 bringing bigger ambitions, new locations, and the return of fan-favorite characters, the series shows no signs of slowing down.
Tracker Season 4 premieres on Sunday, October 4, 2026, at 9:30 PM ET on CBS. Previous seasons are available to stream on Paramount+.
Also Read: Tracker Season 4 Brings Major Changes While Keeping Its Core Identity
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