Will Tracker Need to Recast Jensen Ackles and Melissa Roxburgh? EPs Reveal the Season 2 Plan
Will Tracker have to delay any hypothetical Shaw family reunion in Season 2, now that Season 1 guest stars Jensen Ackles and Melissa Roxburgh have booked their own, highly anticipated shows?
The May 5 episode of CBS‘ Justin Hartley procedural introduced Manifest vet Roxburgh as Colter’s younger sister Dory, a college professor who we later learned has been holding onto their dead dad’s research papers and journals — something she conveniently kept to herself when she urged Colter to let go of the past and stop trying to get to the bottom of what happened to their father.
One week later, Supernatural star Ackles arrived as Colter’s older brother Russell, an ex-military man currently working as a civilian contractor for a shady organization. For 20 years, Colter believed that Russell pushed Dad to his death, but Russell, upon reuniting with Colter, assured him that he did not have anything to do with Dad’s demise. “I don’t know if he fell, or if somebody else pushed him, but I do know that there was somebody else in those woods that night,” he said. “Dad had enemies…. He was a crazy son of a bitch.”
Suffice it to say, the seeds were planted for both Roxburgh and Ackles to return in Season 2 — and in a post-mortem interview with TVLine, Roxburgh seemed positively giddy about the prospect of sharing scenes with Hartley and Ackles this fall. But since their episodes aired, Roxburgh has been tapped to lead the NBC midseason drama The Hunting Party, while Ackles has booked the forthcoming Amazon thriller Countdown. Will their new commitments keep them from returning for more Tracker?
At the Television Critics Association’s summer press tour on Saturday, Hartley, who’s also on EP, confirmed that Ackles will be back — and in more than one episode, showrunner Elwood Reid noted. “We got him. He’s coming back,” said Hartley. “We’re having fun with that. It’s a great story.”
Similarly, Reid confirmed for TVLine that Roxburgh, despite her Hunting Party commitment, will be back as Dory. “We’ll unpeel some more stuff with his sister,” the EP said during the panel.
Tracker Season 2 premieres Sunday, Oct. 27 at 8:30/7:30c on CBS. Are you looking forward to seeing Jensen Ackles and Melissa Roxburgh return for additional episodes?
Looking forward to it. Loved Jensen Ackles as Russell Shaw, he and Justin were excellent together. Hopefully we can get all the Shaw siblings in an episode together.
Jensen and Melissa better co.e back.Make a way
That’s awesome. Not sure if it came down to the studios working together but I love when they do that. Why keep an actor in an exclusivity contract when they just want to make good art and appear as a guest for a few episodes on another show? And if shooting happens at the same time the actors main shows can easily film scenes without them on days they need to be on set for the guest spots. Or vice versa, the guest spots can be shot when they are off from their main role.
I get what you’re saying but it’s not as easy as “well he’s not here, we’ll just shoot different scenes he’s not in.” Filming doesn’t work that way. These things are planned months and months ahead of time bc you have to get permits, rent out areas, etc, etc. Film makers don’t just shoot scenes all wily nily and random. It’s usually planned to the precise detail. Thats why it’s usually hard for actors to shoot multiple shows at once.
Interested to see where they go with it. No spoilers, and they’ll no doubt change things anyway, but I’ve read the books that the show is based on and they’re pretty good.
YES, YES, YES, HAPPY TO HEAR THE GOOD NEWS.
Well, It’s not like they are main characters or something. Both Jensen and Melissa still can reprise their roles in another guest appearance. Maybe not in the same time but still don’t see any reason for recast.
That’s good news!! I love Jensen Ackles!! I hope they bring Supernatural back, but in the meantime hes got a great spot on Tracker!! Melissa Roxburgh was great on Manifest too!! Be nice to see her return to Tracker! Excellent Show, Hartley rocks it!!
Yes, they both need to return! It wouldn’t be the same character without them. I was really excited that Jensen Ackles was joining this awesome show and team. Everyone cast so far are perfect for their role. Can’t wait for Season 2.
They’ll probably work out the same sort of deal that allowed Alison Brie to continue on Mad Men while main cast in Community.
Most definitely yes.
Defo about there return great actors and great story lines as well.
Love both actors but if they can’t come back, I’m happy with a recast. My favorite parts of the show were the ones with Colter’s family. Hoping to see more of the siblings together and even the mum next season. The family mystery is a compelling story.
Absolutely looking forward for more from both Melissa and Jensen. Both of their episodes were highlights of the season, particularly Jensen’s episode. Very happy to read this news!
Yes definitely!
I discovered the show late in the season. Sometimes it’s a bit predicable. But I love Reenie. Always interesting characters and plot lines. Excited for the new season.
Jenson Ackles once played Eric Brady on Days of our Lives as a young photographer. He was Nicole Walkers first love. Good to have him back.
Not a Jensen Ackles fan but am a Justin Hartley fan. Excited about Melissa! Been watching Tracker since the beginning. It’s a great show!
Jensen as Colter’s brother is genius casting, and his storyline was really intriguing. I can’t wait for him and the sister to be in more episodes so we can learn more about all their backstories.