Justin Hartley, star of CBS's "Tracker," has confirmed that Jensen Ackles will return as Russell Shaw in the show's upcoming fourth season, ending months of fan speculation. Ackles' character is Colter Shaw's brother, but his limited screen time on the show has left viewers repeatedly questioning whether he would appear again, particularly after he stayed tight-lipped on the subject at a recent convention.

Speaking to ScreenRant, Hartley revealed that Ackles would be joining production "next week" and praised his co-star's work ethic and dedication on set. Season 4 of "Tracker" is set to premiere on 4 October 2026 and marks the first time the series has filmed in Los Angeles rather than Vancouver. Ackles remains busy elsewhere, having played Soldier Boy in "The Boys," with an appearance lined up in spin-off "Vought Rising" next year, following the cancellation of his 2025 Prime Video series "Countdown" after one season.