Justin Hartley Quips About Having ‘Life’ Before Tracker Came Along
Taking charge of a hit show like Tracker presents unique challenges, keeping star Justin Hartley busy.
“He lives and breathes Tracker,” said Hartley’s costar Fiona Rene in an exclusive interview with Us Weekly at CBS Fest on Wednesday, April 15. “We were joking the other day when he said, ‘I used to have a life. I used to have friends.’”
Rene commended Hartley’s commitment to his role.
“What I’ve specifically noticed is his meticulous attention to detail during our shoots,” she mentioned. “Not only does he go home to review scenes and ensure he’s satisfied with everything, but he also steps into his role as executive producer, offering insights like, ‘Wow, this moment didn’t feel right for you. Let me discuss this further.’ He’s exceptionally generous.”
Premiering in February 2024, *Tracker* follows survivalist Colter (Hartley) as he traverses the nation to locate missing persons, gather information on criminal cases, and much more. Hartley recently reflected on the show’s swift success in an interview with Men’s Journal.
“One of the things I genuinely appreciate about Colter is how we’ve developed him; he doesn’t apologize for his masculinity,” Hartley remarked in August 2025. “I think that’s what people are searching for. You find yourself contemplating, ‘What type of people do I want to be around?’ and more specifically: ‘Which male friends in my life do I truly value?’”
The actor expressed excitement about the example Colter exemplifies.
“I believe we’ve created a character who is incredibly emotionally complex, genuinely seeking to understand the motives behind people’s actions,” Hartley continued. “Executive producer Ken Olin and I aimed to create a show that pays homage to the past. We wanted a fresh perspective on a procedural, meaning our character would evolve over time.”
Hartley added: “He wouldn’t simply remain static every week. We hoped viewers would resonate with it, and they ended up embracing it. There’s definitely a strong demand for this type of show.”
Hartley also hinted at the future challenges for his character.
“What I love about shows like this is that when you start with season 1 and eventually get to the final season, you witness the character’s development and think, ‘Are they playing different roles?’ But watching it over the years, you share those experiences with the characters,” he explained to TV Insider in September 2024. “As capable and confident as Colter is, I firmly believe he has so much left to learn, especially about himself and his family.”
He continued: “Going forward, I think the longevity of the show relies on the continued evolution of this character, allowing him to enhance his skills. He’s restless, and as a viewer, I gravitate towards characters that grow, and we have that opportunity.”
Tracker airs on CBS Sundays at 9 p.m. ET, with episodes available for streaming the following day on Paramount+.
