Justin Hartley is bringing Colter Shaw back to CBS this fall, and the actor promises the new season will bring back a ghost that has been haunting the tracker for years. Season 4 of Tracker premieres Sunday, October 4, 2026, on CBS, with streaming available on Paramount+.
The series follows Colter Shaw, a survivalist and pro-tracker who takes on cases involving missing persons and strange disappearances. After three seasons, the show has built a loyal following, and its fourth outing brings the action to the West Coast.
The Last Time Colter Saw His Dad
Season 3 ended with Colter getting some answers about his father, Ashton Shaw, who died under mysterious circumstances. In the finale, Colter and his brother Russell saved two children from the government’s top-secret Chrono Stasis program, which their father had been involved with.
Colter learned his dad “was a good man in the end,” according to a recap posted by Decider. He also admitted his dad was “flawed as hell.” The episode closed with Colter sitting in his dad’s old truck, promising to get it running again.
Russell, played by Jensen Ackles, made a dangerous deal with McIntyre to keep more troubling information about their father from reaching Colter. Russell left town to follow McIntyre’s orders, leaving without saying goodbye to his brother.
What Russell Is Up To
Hartley spoke with TV Insider about Season 4 and confirmed that Ackles will appear in at least one episode. “He’s in at least one [episode], and we’ll have him back when we can. I think probably in the new year, we’ll have him back for a few,” Hartley said.
Ackles’ character is working for McIntyre, and the deal involves Ashton’s file, which contains damning information. Russell reached out to his brother for help after one of his friends fell into serious trouble.
“He needs help with something. One of his buddies is in dire straits, big time dire straits — and not a self-inflicted thing, just sort of something that happened to him, and he thinks of his brother Colter, and he’s like, ‘I bet you Colter can help you with this,'” Hartley said.
The reunion will reunite the two brothers on a “pretty epic journey,” according to the actor.
The Ghost That Won’t Leave
Hartley also hinted at a recurring element that will return in Season 4. “There’ll be something that sort of haunts Colter and you’ll see a little bit of a hint of it in the premiere. And then of course, as we do on Tracker, it comes back full circle, but you’ll start to see something that has been around and lingering for a bit that we reintroduce in Colter’s life, but I guess introduce to the audience for the first time in this season.”
The official synopsis for Episode 401, “Safe Harbor,” confirms the show moves to Los Angeles. The episode follows Colter’s search for a teenage boy’s missing father, which leads him to a dangerous criminal operation at the Port of Los Angeles.
Keaton Stays By Colter’s Side
Colter’s friend Keaton, played by Brent Sexton, remains a constant presence. After the finale, Keaton agreed to help Colter fix up his dad’s old truck. The two men will likely be together as Colter investigates the new cases.
A Familiar Face Returns?
Hartley also mentioned the possibility of seeing Melissa Roxburgh as Colter and Russell’s sister, Dory. Whether she appears in the first season or later remains unclear, but the actor confirmed the door is open.
When to Watch
The premiere airs Sunday, October 4, 2026, at 9:30 to 10:30 PM ET/9:00 to 10:00 PM PT on CBS. Streaming options are available on Paramount+, which offers two subscription plans: Essential and Premium.
The ad-supported Essential plan typically costs $8.99 per month, while the ad-free Premium plan, which includes Showtime titles and live CBS, costs $13.99 per month. Right now, you can get a seven-day free trial on the Premium plan.
The Trailer
A first look at Season 4 is available online, giving fans a glimpse of the adventures ahead. The preview shows Colter in Los Angeles, chasing leads and facing danger.
What Comes Next
The show’s early renewal means the network is confident in the series. Tracker remains the “No. 1 show on broadcast television,” according to the network.
The premiere will reintroduce the ghost that haunts Colter, and the season will bring Russell back into the fold. The Shaw brothers will reunite, and the truck will likely play a role in the investigation.
Key Facts Box
– Premiere date: Sunday, October 4, 2026
– Network: CBS
– Streaming: Paramount+
– Time: 9:30 to 10:30 PM ET/9:00 to 10:00 PM PT
– Cost: Essential plan $8.99/month, Premium plan $13.99/month
– Ackles’ appearance: At least one episode, with more planned for the new year
The show has built a strong foundation, and the cast and crew are committed to continuing the story. Hartley’s enthusiasm is infectious, and the promise of a Shaw brothers reunion is enough to draw viewers back.
Fans of the show have waited four months for more Colter Shaw adventures, and Season 4 delivers. The premiere will reintroduce a lingering threat, bring Russell back into the fold, and set Colter on a new adventure in Los Angeles.
See the video the story is built around at Decider.
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