Despite a disappointing update from Jensen Ackles, Justin Hartley’s promise to feature more of Colter Shaw’s family in Tracker season 2 is still exciting for the show. The Russell Shaw actor is slated to star in a new series on Amazon Prime, which will put Ackles at the center. While it’s an exciting development for the Supernatural star, it hindered Russell’s chances to have a robust presence in Tracker season 2. With Ackles as the star of the new thriller drama Countdown, it will be complicated for the actor to dip in for guest appearances that were previously expected.

Tracker premiered at the onset of 2024 with a shortened season of just 13 episodes. Season 1 introduced the reward-seeker’s family and established how Colter lives his life on the road. It introduced the Tracker characters, including Colter’s remote support team and critical family members. Colter’s mother, brother, and sister were introduced in tandem with a conversation about what happened to Colter’s father, who was believed to be murdered by Colter’s brother, played by Ackles. As such, Ackle’s season 2 presence felt imminent, but there are great stories to look forward to even if the Dean Winchester actor doesn’t return.

Tracker Season 2’s Family Focus Is Still Exciting Even If Jensen Ackles Doesn’t Return

Justin Hartley Has Promised Other Exciting Features For Tracker Season 2

Following the end of season 1, Justin Hartley announced returning characters for Tracker season 2. He confirmed that his This Is Us co-star Jennifer Morrison will return to join him on screen as Lizzy Hawking. In season 1, Hawking debuted as a family friend from Colter’s past who delivered vital information about Colter’s family history. Because of this, she could continue to shed light on their past as the story continues. This could also go hand-in-hand with Hartley’s plans to bring back his “whole family.”

The characters will help continue to unravel the mystery of who killed Colter’s father in Tracker. Ashton Shaw’s murder was central to the narrative in season 1. While Colter’s brother may not be returning, the family focus is still good news for Tracker season 2 because other members of Colter’s family have a lot to answer regarding what they know about the Shaw family patriarch’s murder and why they are withholding information from Colter. While it would have been satisfying to see the Shaw brothers on screen together, his other relatives are more vital to the season 2 narrative.

Why Colter’s Mother And Sister Are Likely To Be Vital To Tracker Season 2

Tracker Season 2 Needs To Incorporate More Of Mary Dove And Dory Shaw

While Ackles may not return as Colter’s brother, there are still plenty of ways for Colter’s family to make up a core part of the narrative. The sophomore season can feature Colter’s mother, Mary Dove Shaw, portrayed by Wendy Crewson, who has the most explaining to do about withholding information from her son. It could also bring back Melissa Roxburgh as Colter’s sister in Tracker, who the audience discovered was hiding documents from Colter in season 1. After finding out both women in his family were keeping secrets about his father, Colter’s mother and sister’s return is of paramount importance.

While it would have been exciting to see Jensen Ackles in Tracker season 2, Justin Hartley’s promise of his family appearing in the show’s sophomore season offers a great deal of storytelling potential. In fact, returning characters like Colter’s mother and sister are way more essential to the narrative moving forward. Russell all but cleared his name with his brother in season 1, whereas Colter previously believed that his brother killed their father. After the big reveals in Tracker season 1, returning Colter’s sister and mother is way more exciting, and luckily, that’s still on the table.