If you're still feeling the void left by the latest season of Reacher, there's a new name climbing the streaming charts that might just fill it. Tracker, the CBS procedural starring Justin Hartley, has become a bona fide streaming sensation on Paramount+, landing squarely in the platform's Top 10 just a few episodes into its fourth season. Whether you're a longtime viewer or a newcomer curious about the buzz, Colter Shaw is proving to be a worthy stand-in while you wait for Jack Reacher's next adventure.
A Different Kind of Hero
Unlike the ex-military archetype that dominates so many action dramas—think The Terminal List or even Reacher itself—Tracker takes a refreshingly different approach. Colter Shaw isn't a hulking brute; he's a reward seeker who travels the country in his trusty trailer, taking on missing-person cases and other mysteries for a fee. It's a premise that sets him apart from the usual tough-guy mold, and it's one that has clearly resonated with audiences.
The show's procedural format is another key differentiator. Each episode presents a fresh case, with only occasional two-part arcs, allowing Colter to navigate a wide range of scenarios—from military entanglements involving his brother Russell (Jensen Ackles, who returns every season) to small-town searches for missing children. This episodic structure, while perhaps old-fashioned in the streaming era, works brilliantly for a show like this, offering variety and making it an easy, addictive binge.
From Super Bowl to Streaming Success
Tracker's rise has been nothing short of meteoric. It launched out of the Super Bowl and immediately became the biggest new drama on American television. It eventually climbed to become the #1 show on network TV, only to be overshadowed last season by another Paramount+ favorite, Marshals. But Colter hasn't slowed down, and the series continues to find creative ways to challenge its protagonist.
For fans of the source material, there's an extra layer of appeal. Just as Reacher is based on Lee Child's novels, Tracker draws from Jeffery Deaver's Colter Shaw book series, primarily The Never Game, while weaving in elements from other entries to build out the Shaw family saga. Season 4 is even set to explore a theme Deaver's books have touched on: failure. With Colter taking on so many cases, it's inevitable that not every one ends in triumph, and the show is finally ready to delve into that complexity.
If you're new to the series, you can jump in with the current season without feeling lost—each episode is largely self-contained. But for the full experience, we recommend starting from the beginning. The first three seasons are a treat, showcasing how the show has evolved and deepened its characters. With Tracker currently dominating Paramount+'s streaming numbers, there's no better time to catch up with Colter Shaw on the road.
Tracker airs Sundays on CBS and is available to stream the next day on Paramount+. For more streaming recommendations, check out our picks for crime dramas with the best ensemble casts or see how Ray Donovan stacks up against Tulsa King.
