Justin Hartley‘s Tracker costars often talk about their experience working with him as the hit CBS series loses several cast members.
After being a household name in roles in Passions, Smallville, The Young and the Restless again This is usHartley found great success in the profession with Tracker. The show, which premiered in February 2024, was named the most watched series since NCIS‘ the last episode with Mark Harmon in September 2021. Its average viewership was reported to be 18.2 million per episode.
Hartley, on the other hand, received praise for his performance as the star of the show. During that time, his role as executive producer on the show allowed him to bring in familiar faces to guest star, including Sofia Pernas, Jensen Ackles, Melissa Roxburgh, Jennifer Morrison and more.
Anyway Tracker it quickly became a program that many wanted to join, and it also made headlines there Robin Weigert, Abby McEnany again Eric Grise they all left the show before season 3. Executive producer Elwood Reid previously protected the reconfiguration of the screen during a special conversation with Us Weekly.
“I don’t want the show to be a phone buddy every week. I think that’s getting old, and Justin always challenges me on that. He’s like, ‘Do we need to do this? Do I need to call Bobby all the time? Can I do this?'” Reid shared in May 2025. “You don’t want to do this? [always] look at Reenie. He talks to Velma for two seconds. He might talk to Bobby on one phone call. The plan works because he is on Justin’s shoulder.”
Fortunately, Hartley received nothing but praise and support from those who continued to appear Tracker. Keep scrolling through the various items Tracker The guest stars spoke about working with Hartley before the cast:
Jensen Ackles
I Supernatural alum returned to Tracker every season since he starred as Hartley’s on-screen brother.
“I play the older brother of someone I know very well, and we get along really well. I mean, Justin and I have known each other for over 20 years, and we’ve been friends and we’ve never worked together,” Ackles said. TV Insider in July 2025. “So it was a lot of fun for us to set up. But it was also very easy because you hang out with your friend and we get to have fun and we get to put it together.”
He continued: “And it’s nice that he’s a major producer on it so he can say, ‘Do you like that name? Just change it, whatever you want.’ So it gives us a little freedom.”
Melissa Roxburgh
Speaking of fictional siblings, Roxburgh cast the Shaw family as Hartley’s sisters in the show.
“Justin is great, it’s a lovely and warm set [because] Justin does a great job of doing that,” she said Us in February 2025. “So I would love to go back. Justin is a friend and it’s fun to play with your friends and I love the show, so we’ll see.”
Fiona Rene
As the last remaining core member along with Hartley, Rene praised her costar for her hard work.
“He is the No. 1 miracle [on the call sheet]. He wears many hats [on set]. He is not only an actor, but [he is focused on] program numbers,” said Rene Us November 2024. “It’s important to him and to the producer. When he comes to the set, he’s very business-oriented and we even call him the Terminator.”
Rene spoke highly of Hartley’s process on set.
“But then he takes that hat off, puts on his actor’s hat and plays with integrity. It’s such a dream for an actor to be able to come on set and work together to find what’s right between their characters,” he added. “Justin is always ready for that. And for someone who wears so many hats, to be able to let go of all that and play in that moment is honestly a dream come true. I hope I can do the same.”
Jennifer Morrison
Morrison was delighted to be reunited with Hartley after their time together This is usI tell Nearby in November 2024, “I think it was Justin’s idea. We had a great time working This is us. We just got along so well. What I always want in this industry is to spend time with people I really care about, respect and love. Justin is one of those people.”
Justin Hartley’s CBS series Tracker won over its audience thanks to its intriguing cases — and impressive guest stars. The Tracker, which premiered in February 2024, centers on a survivor named Colter (Hartley) who travels the country helping people and law enforcement solve various mysteries. As the series progresses, viewers learn […]
Jon Huertas
Huertas, who appeared only behind the scenes as a director, had similar feelings about Hartley.
“Because Justin and I had a history together, it was like we were just shut out from when I directed him on This Is Us. [and] when we work together in the scenes like stepfather and adopted son,” Huertas shared Us in April 2024. “We fell into that rhythm so naturally that it became easy. It made it really easy.”
Huertas was more than happy to be reunited with Hartley afterwards This is us.
“That’s what I like about working with people I’ve worked with before and working with friends. Honestly, Diana. [Maria Riva]who worked with Justin on this episode, he and I have known each other for a long time,” he noted. And because TV moves so fast, I love that. I love working with people I know.”
Sofia Pernas
“We get asked all the time, like, ‘Are you guys restless?’ I’m like, ‘I love him.’ I’m thankful that’s being reciprocated because how often do you get that?” Pernas, who has been married to Hartley since 2021, said People in March 2024 after joining Tracker like her husband’s interest on screen. “I’m very grateful that we both feel that way about each other and can take that to work and we don’t need a long break from each other because we’re so focused.”
Lachlan Quarmby
During a special interview with UsHallmark’s Lachlan Quarmby recalled his guest appearance in season 1, sharing in August 2025, “Justin is great. He’s right there. He’s the real captain of that ship. That was a great time.”
Quarmby left the hit CBS series with a great experience.
“I had to do an Australian accent. I was told at an acting school in Australia that I would never play a surfer because I didn’t have the looks. And I played a surfer in Vancouver, who was Australian,” he commented. “That was a lot of fun.”
Michael Rady
Michael Rady, who plays Elliot, took to Instagram in February 2026 to share photos from the set, writing, “Tracker season 3 is on CBS. Elliott had a rough season 2. Michael had a great time.”
