We now know that Jensen Ackles is for sure returning to Tracker for the show's third season, and in the midst of all the recent cast shakeups, it's exciting to hear some good news. Ever since his first appearance near the end of Season 1, Russell Shaw has been one of the CBS drama's breakout characters. With each new season, Ackles' return is highly anticipated, and there's no doubt that Russell will make Colter Shaw's (Justin Hartley) life a bit more interesting when he returns. The only thing is, if Tracker is going to make the most of Ackles' fan-favorite character, he needs to be around for more than a single one-and-done appearance.
Jensen Ackles Is Coming Back for 'Tracker' Season 3
Jensen Ackles as Russell Shaw in his car in Tracker Season 2 Episode 2.
After Jensen Ackles' recent teases about returning to Tracker, including a video of him on set, it's exciting to know that Russell Shaw will for sure be reuniting with his brother in Season 3. However, prior to the Season 2 premiere, fans were likewise given confirmation that Ackles would be coming back as Russell, with the hope that he would be around for possibly several more episodes for a larger Shaw family story arc. The problem was, this never ended up happening. There are several possible reasons why Ackles didn't return for more episodes in the back half of Season 2. Most likely, it was due to the actor's commitments to other projects like The Boys and Countdown, the latter of which he serves as the leading man. But with The Boys wrapping up and Countdown's future on Prime Video in flux, it may be time for Tracker to pivot to making Russell a main character.
However you slice it, the sudden whittling down of the Tracker cast has opened the door for more reoccurring characters to appear throughout Season 3. While Colter is, admittedly, a lone wolf, that doesn't mean that folks can't wander in or out of his life more consistently. Sofia Pernas' Billie Matalon shows up every season, for example, and Season 2 featured Brent Sexton's Keaton in several episodes. In both cases, they highlighted Colter's spotlight rather than pulling from it. With only Reenie Greene (Fiona Rene) still kicking it with Colter on a full-time basis in Season 3, Russell could easily march back into his brother's life. Considering he spent so much of Season 1 trying to get in contact with Colter (with Season 2 teasing more brotherly team-ups), we're hoping Ackles' return is the first of many.
Russell Deserves Answers About His Father's Death Just As Much as Colter
Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw and Jensen Ackles as Russell Shaw in Tracker Season 2 Episode 2.
Now that Colter has discovered the man behind his father's murder — and learned that his mother, Mary Dove Shaw (Wendy Crewson), may have ordered the hit in the first place — it's time for Russell to be more involved. We're not sure what CBS needs to do to make this happen, but Ackles' character can't be left behind again for another 20-something episodes, especially not after a major bombshell like that. Last season, it felt a bit odd that after "Ontological Shock" teased a major confrontation between the Shaw brothers and the U.S. government (with operatives knowing about their family history), that plotline was essentially abandoned. Season 2 never revisited this story, instead leaving it behind for several other unrelated plot threads before returning to the mythology in the Season 2 finale, "Echo Ridge." And even then, neither Russell nor the shadowy government agents were involved.
Given that Colter and Russell's relationship is a major part of the original Jeffrey Deaver novels, it's a bit odd that Tracker hasn't been able to convey the same on the small screen, especially with such talented actors in the parts. This isn't to say that Colter and Russell don't have a clear bond or chemistry, we just haven't been given enough time to effectively explore their relationship over several episodes. We're pretty limited to his two appearances and a few minor flashbacks from their childhood. By bringing Russell back on a more regular basis in Season 3, Tracker could add some much-needed depth and emotional investment to their brotherly bond, showing that Colter and Russell can truly put their shared past behind them and move forward. Now that the truth is out about their mother, perhaps they ought to return to Echo Ridge and see this through together. It may be interesting if they had differing ideas about how to deal with this news, especially since Mary framed her older son for his father's murder in the first place.
'Tracker' Season 3 Needs To Explore the Shaw Family
Justin Hartley as Colter Shaw standing with Jensen Ackles as Russell Shaw while they hold guns in Tracker.
Melissa Roxburgh as Dory and Justin Hartley as Colter in Tracker
Ashton Shaw (Lee Tergesen) teaching his sons, Colter (Prestyn Bates) and Russell (Mathew Nelson-Mahood), how to use a gun on 'Tracker.'
Jensen Ackles and Justin Hartley in Tracker
Colter Shaw (Justin Hartley) and Russell Shaw (Jensen Ackles) work a case together in the 'Tracker' episode "Off the Books."
While knowing that Ackles is returning is a comfort, if Russell is going to make his way back to Tracker, consistency is key. Not unlike how Billie Matalon shows up a few times a year, Russell's inclusion in the greater narrative would give each appearance more weight rather than him just dropping by for an episode early in the season and then forgetting about him again until the next. No doubt, Russell has left a distinct mark on Tracker, but we'd still like to see more. To make this a whole family affair, maybe it's time that all three Shaw siblings reunited, with Melissa Roxburgh's Dory also thrown back into the mix. Aside from flashbacks to their youth, Tracker has yet to reunite all three of these characters on screen, and if anything could get them back into a room together (with their mother, perhaps), it would be what Colter found out at the end of "Echo Ridge."
With so many cast members not returning for Season 3, it may finally be time for Tracker to hit the gas on the Shaw family mythology. With Colter, Russell, Dory, and their mother all back together, it can be settled once and for all who was behind Ashton Shaw's (Lee Tergesen) murder, allowing Russell the chance to move on from his mother's previous deceptions. He doesn't have to become the next lead character, but it would be nice to see more of him going forward. That's what we're hoping for anyway; we just need CBS to pull through and get those scheduling conflicts ironed out.
