Justin Hartley to Have New Romantic Interest in Tracker Season 4
Tracker consistently unveils new story arcs and unexpected developments — including a potentially enduring romance for Justin Hartley‘s Colter Shaw.
“This year, our goal is to explore life beyond the office,” executive producer Elwood Reid exclusively shares with Us. “With Colter, we’re set to witness the initial stages of a relationship blooming.”
Reid indicates that the series is hinting at something more significant on the horizon.
“We are not yet certain what it entails. It’s someone Colter is interested in — and how does that look? Can we expand this into a much larger narrative?” he adds. “This season uniquely showcases Colter in social and potentially romantic contexts outside of the Billie universe.”
While Colter shares a connection with Billie (Sofia Pernas), the possibilities remain wide open.
“This situation is quite different. … Another overarching theme of the show is how we can challenge Colter both morally and physically,” Reid explains.
He adds: “Many long-running network shows tend to create infallible characters that resemble superheroes. That’s perfectly fine, but I believe one of Justin’s strengths as an actor is his ability to tap into a complex emotional dynamic that many leading men may not possess. What happens when he stumbles or makes a decision that costs someone their life or leads to failure? Those are the moments I look forward to exploring this season.”
The popular CBS series, which premiered in February 2024, introduced fans to Colter, a survivalist who travels nationwide to help solve missing persons cases. His job has traditionally kept him from exploring deep relationships, but that may be changing.
“We’re not rushing into it. We’re merely showcasing early signs of it. This is the seed we’re planting, but what could happen if that relationship is put to the test or if that person or someone close to them finds themselves in a situation that requires Colter’s assistance?” Reid remarks. “Would it jeopardize the relationship? Or could it deepen their connection?”
Reid also emphasizes that Colter may not be “in a position for a long-term relationship.”
“We don’t want him to be the guy who comes to town, charms someone, and then leaves the following day,” he shares with Us. “He certainly has his principles, and we’re exploring that a bit more. With an actor like Justin, we want to see him showcase that charm. Colter leads a team, so he tends to hide his vulnerabilities, but could we find someone he feels comfortable enough to open up to?”
Earlier in the series, Colter often connected with Billie, who is portrayed by Hartley’s real-life wife, Pernas. Season 4 is set to upend previous expectations regarding Colter’s romantic life.
“The dynamic between Billie and Colter is that they are two individuals who understand the same rules of their work. What would occur if emotional ties began to complicate things?” Reid discusses. “And stepping away from the Billie narrative, what would happen if someone challenged him emotionally in a manner that conflicted with his job? That’s the premise we’re experimenting with. We’ve already filmed two scenes with this new character, so we’re watching to see how it plays out.”
Tracker returns to CBS on Sunday, October 4, at 9 p.m. ET and will be available for streaming the following day on Paramount+.
