Tracker fans were hit with a major twist in the Season 3 finale, "The Best Ones," which effectively writes off fan-favorite Russell Shaw (Jensen Ackles) for the foreseeable future. While Ackles is set to headline his The Boys spin-off prequel, Vought Rising, on Prime Video next year, the episode cleverly paves the way for a potential Russell Shaw-led series—whether on CBS or as a Paramount+ event.
The finale reveals that Russell confronts McIntyre (Glenn Morshower), the shadowy government operative behind the kill order on the Shaw brothers. McIntyre drops a bombshell: their father, Ashton Shaw (Lee Tergesen), experimented on Colter (Justin Hartley) when they were kids. The experiments were part of the Chrono Stasis project, involving remote viewing and astral projection, suggesting Colter may have had hidden abilities. McIntyre gives Russell a choice: let the kill order stand and risk Colter discovering the truth, or work for him and destroy the evidence himself. Russell chooses the latter, calling Reenie (Fiona Rene) to say he'll be gone for a while—and he's not sure when he'll return.
This open-ended departure is classic backdoor pilot material. Ackles, who co-led Supernatural for 15 seasons and boosted ratings on Big Sky (under Tracker showrunner Elwood Reid), is a proven draw. A Russell Shaw spin-off could explore his covert missions under McIntyre, with a tone distinct from Tracker's procedural formula—perhaps darker and more mature, akin to streaming hits like The Terminal List or Ackles' own Countdown. The series could also flash back to Russell's childhood under his father's erratic experiments or the years between his father's death and his reunion with Colter.
Given the close ties between CBS and Paramount+, a streaming-first approach would allow for edgier storytelling beyond network TV limits. Fans who've followed Ackles through Supernatural and The Boys are primed for more, and a limited series or event show could test the waters before expanding. For those craving more offbeat gems, check out our list of 8 Near-Perfect Netflix Shows You've Never Heard Of (But Should Binge Now).
While Colter Shaw will return for Season 4, Russell's story is far from over. CBS would be wise to capitalize on this momentum—Ackles' star power and the character's rich backstory make a spin-off a no-brainer. Whether it's a full series or a limited run, fans are ready to follow Russell Shaw into the unknown.
