Jensen Ackles has spent the last decade moving from one hit to the next, and now one of those hits is finally coming to Netflix. The streaming giant has announced that the first three seasons of Tracker, the CBS procedural starring Justin Hartley, will stream internationally starting February 26, 2027. The deal means viewers outside the U.S. can finally watch all three seasons of the show without hopping between Paramount Plus and Hulu.
The announcement comes on the heels of a busy stretch for Ackles. After years playing Dean Winchester in Supernatural, he broke out as Soldier Boy in The Boys on Prime Video, a role that led to him leading the franchise’s second spin-off, Vought Rising. His recent crime drama Countdown was canceled after one season, but that show starred Eric Dane, who died earlier this year.
Ackles on Tracker
Ackles plays Russell Shaw on Tracker, a recurring role that has become one of the show’s highlights. The character appears in only a few episodes across the series, but fans tune in every week wondering when he’ll show up to help his brother. Over 50 episodes of Tracker have aired since the show debuted back in 2024, and Season 4 is set to premiere on CBS this Sunday, October 4.
CBS has put out three seasons of Tracker since the show started. The new deal with 20th Century Television means international audiences will finally have access to the first three seasons together.
Countdown and Soldier Boy
Ackles’ move to Prime Video was a big shift. He made his superhero debut in The Boys as Soldier Boy, a character so well-received that he’s now the lead of Vought Rising, the franchise’s second spin-off. The show’s creators chose him for the role, and the spin-off follows directly from his work on the original series.
His other recent venture didn’t fare as well. Countdown, a new crime drama, lasted only one season before being canceled. The show also starred Eric Dane, who passed away earlier this year. That cancellation is a reminder that not every project Ackles touches succeeds.
Ackles has kept finding new roles since Supernatural ended. From Dean Winchester to Soldier Boy to Russell Shaw, he’s kept working, and the Vought Rising gig suggests the momentum is still strong.
The Deal With Netflix
The Tracker deal is a straightforward licensing arrangement. 20th Century Television has struck a deal with Netflix to make the first three seasons available internationally. The agreement covers the first three seasons, and the February 26, 2027 date puts it in front of an audience outside the U.S.
For CBS, the deal extends the show’s reach beyond its U.S. broadcast run. Tracker has been a steady performer on the network, and making it available globally gives the show a chance to reach new audiences. For Netflix, it’s content that fits its library.
The timing is notable. February 2027 is nearly two years away, which gives the streamer time to prepare for the rollout.
A Decade of Hits
Ackles has been working steadily since Supernatural ended. He went from a single iconic role to a string of high-profile projects, and each one has brought him new attention. The Boys role was a major pivot, and the Vought Rising gig cements that decision.
The Countdown cancelation stings, but it’s a small blemish on an otherwise impressive run. Ackles has found a way to keep working, keep leading shows, and keep showing up in places that matter.
The pattern is clear. Ackles finds a role, he commits to it, and he makes it his own. Whether it’s a superhero, a crime boss, or a brother helping his sibling, he brings the same intensity to everything he touches.
Key Facts Box
- Tracker: Three seasons on CBS, plus a fourth premiering October 4, 2025
- Tracker on Netflix: Seasons 1-3, streaming internationally starting February 26, 2027
- Countdown: One season, canceled
- Soldier Boy: Played by Ackles in The Boys, leads Vought Rising
- Eric Dane: Late actor, starred in Countdown, died earlier this year
The Vought Rising spin-off is evidence of Ackles’ staying power. The Countdown cancelation is a reminder that not every bet pays off. But the pattern is clear: when Ackles commits, things tend to work.
The Tracker deal is a smart move for everyone involved. CBS gets its show seen by more people, Netflix gets a crime drama for its library, and Ackles gets another platform to showcase his work. The show has been a steady performer on CBS, and the Netflix rollout gives it a chance to reach an audience that might not have caught it on cable.
The deal is official, and the streaming date is set. Fans will have to wait nearly two years to see the first three seasons on Netflix, but the wait will be worth it.
See the video the story is built around at Collider.
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