What Justin Hartley’s Tracker Co-Stars Revealed About Him During Cast Departures
Justin Hartley‘s Tracker co-stars frequently share their insights about collaborating with him, especially as the popular CBS series has seen several cast changes.
After achieving widespread recognition through roles in Passions, Smallville, The Young and the Restless, and This Is Us, Hartley found significant success with Tracker. Premiering in February 2024, the show was dubbed the most-watched broadcast premiere since NCIS‘ last episode featuring Mark Harmon in September 2021, with an impressive average viewership of 18.2 million per episode.
Hartley was lauded for his performance as the show’s lead. Additionally, his role as an executive producer enabled him to welcome familiar faces into guest star roles, including Sofia Pernas, Jensen Ackles, Melissa Roxburgh, Jennifer Morrison, and others.
While Tracker quickly became the desired show for many actors, it also gained attention when Robin Weigert, Abby McEnany, and Eric Graise departed prior to season 3. Executive producer Elwood Reid defended these changes during an exclusive interview with Us Weekly.
“I want to avoid the show becoming ‘phone-a-friend’ every week. That concept can get stale, and Justin continually pushes me on this. He often asks, ‘Do we really need to do this? Is it necessary for me to call Bobby all the time? Can I approach this differently?’” Reid explained in May 2025. “You don’t always need to see Reenie; he might chat with Velma for a moment or call Bobby once. The show’s dynamic thrives on the intimacy of being over Justin’s shoulder.”
Fortunately, Hartley has garnered admiration and support from those who remain on Tracker. Keep scrolling to find out what various Tracker guest stars have said about working with Hartley before the cast changes:
Jensen Ackles
The Supernatural star has returned to Tracker every season, taking on the role of Hartley’s on-screen brother.
“I’m playing the older brother of someone I’ve known for over 20 years, and we’ve always gotten along well. It’s so much fun for us to work together on set. It feels like just hanging out with a buddy,” Ackles told TV Insider in July 2025. “So it was a great experience. Plus, having him as an executive producer gives us the freedom to explore our lines and tweak things as we see fit.”
Melissa Roxburgh
Roxburgh complements the Shaw family as Hartley’s sister in the series.
“Justin fosters such a lovely and warm atmosphere on set. He excels at making it enjoyable,” she exclaimed to Us in February 2025. “I’d love to return. Justin is a friend, and working with friends is so rewarding. I love the show; let’s see what happens.”
Fiona Rene
The last main cast member alongside Hartley, Rene, commended him for his dedication.
“He’s an outstanding No. 1 [on the call sheet]. He effortlessly juggles so many roles. Not only is he a fantastic actor, but he’s also focused on the show’s performance numbers,” Rene told Us in November 2024. “When he arrives on set, he’s all business, and we’ve even dubbed him the Terminator.”
Rene praised Hartley’s commitment to the craft.
“He seamlessly transitions from producer to actor, and it’s wonderful to collaborate and discover what resonates between our characters,” she added. “Justin is always open to that. For someone juggling so much, his ability to let it all go and engage in the moment is truly inspiring.”
Jennifer Morrison
Morrison expressed her delight at reuniting with Hartley after their time on This Is Us, stating to Closer in November 2024, “I believe it was Justin’s idea. We had a wonderful experience on This Is Us. I cherish working with people I genuinely respect and admire. Justin is certainly one of them.”
Jon Huertas
Huertas, who has directed behind the scenes, shared similar sentiments about Hartley.
“Justin and I share a history, which made it feel like we fell back into a comfortable rhythm from our time on This Is Us, where we portrayed a stepfather and stepson,” Huertas told Us in April 2024. “Our connection made the interaction seamless and enjoyable.”
Huertas was excited to reconnect with Hartley post-This Is Us.
“That’s the beauty of working with familiar faces. Communication is fluid, and I enjoy the fast pace of television. Knowing my co-workers enhances the experience,” he reflected.
Sofia Pernas
Pernas, married to Hartley since 2021, remarked, “People often ask, ‘Don’t you need space from each other?’ My answer is, ‘I love him.’ Thankfully, that feeling is mutual. How often do you encounter such a relationship?” She joined Tracker as Hartley’s on-screen love interest in March 2024. “I’m genuinely grateful that we can merge our personal and professional lives so successfully.”
Lachlan Quarmby
Lachlan Quarmby reminisced about his guest spot in season 1, stating in August 2025, “Justin is terrific. He’s the captain of that ship, and filming was a memorable experience.”
Quarmby left the CBS series with a positive impression.
“I even got to perform an Australian accent — a dream I thought I’d never fulfill during acting school. I played a surfer from Australia in Vancouver, and it was an absolute blast,” he enthused.
Michael Rady
Michael Rady, portraying Elliot, took to Instagram in February 2026, sharing behind-the-scenes photos and stating, “Tracker season 3 is currently airing on CBS. Elliott faced a challenging season 2, but Michael had a wonderful time.”
Chris Lee
“I genuinely believe he’s the best leader I’ve ever collaborated with. He commands a professional and enjoyable set, striking the perfect balance,” Lee shared with Us. “I’ve learned valuable lessons from his work ethic.”
He added, “When we share scenes, it feels like ‘Rush Hour’ — a dynamic big brother and little brother vibe. It’s incredibly enjoyable, and I love working with Justin.”
