Fans of CBS's hit series Tracker can breathe a sigh of relief: Jensen Ackles is officially returning for Season 4. The news comes straight from series lead Justin Hartley, who recently opened up about Ackles' involvement in the upcoming season during an interview with ScreenRant.
Ackles, best known for his iconic portrayal of Dean Winchester on Supernatural, has become a fan favorite in the Tracker universe as Russell Shaw, Colter's brother. His appearances have been sporadic, leaving viewers wondering if he'd be back for more. Hartley's confirmation puts those questions to rest, revealing that Ackles will indeed be joining the cast for the new season.
During the interview, Hartley couldn't contain his enthusiasm for working with Ackles again. "Yeah, he's coming back. Actually, he'll be here next week," Hartley said. "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."
Hartley went on to praise Ackles' dedication, noting that despite his family commitments, Ackles shows up fully prepared and ready to work. "He's got a family, he's got a wife and kids and a life and all that kind of stuff, but the dude shows up and he is ready. He's ready to go, immediately ready to go. And I dig that," Hartley added.
The confirmation comes as Tracker gears up for its Season 4 premiere on October 4. The show, which follows lone-wolf survivalist Colter Shaw as he travels the country solving mysteries as a reward seeker, has become a massive hit for CBS. In fact, it was crowned the most-watched show of 2025 on the network, making its future look bright.
While CBS hasn't officially announced whether Tracker will continue beyond Season 4, Hartley has expressed interest in keeping the show going for years to come. The move of production from Vancouver to Los Angeles also suggests the network has long-term plans for the series.
For those who haven't caught up, the first three seasons of Tracker are available to stream on Paramount+. As for what's next for Colter and Russell, fans will have to tune in when Season 4 kicks off this fall. Stay tuned for more updates as the premiere approaches.
