"Tracker" Becomes Breakout Hit, Captivating Millions Nationwide

In February 2024, the new TV drama "Tracker" premiered to record-breaking viewership, becoming the most-watched broadcast premiere since the final episode of NCIS with Mark Harmon in September 2021. The show, which stars Justin Hartley as the lead character Colter Shaw, has continued to captivate audiences, with its second season dominating the ratings.

The season 2 premiere of "Tracker" in October 2025 drew 8.3 million total viewers, a nearly 10% increase from the season 1 finale. This marked the show's highest audience since its debut, solidifying its status as a breakout hit. Hartley, who is known for his roles in shows like This Is Us and Smallville, has been praised for his portrayal of Colter, a character he describes as "emotionally evolved" and unafraid to embrace his masculinity.

"One of the things I really love about Colter and the way we've built him is that he doesn't apologize for his masculinity," Hartley told Men's Journal in August 2025. "I think that's what people are looking for." The actor and the show's executive producer, Ken Olin, set out to create a procedural drama with a fresh spin, allowing Colter's character to evolve over time rather than remain static.