Colter Shaw is returning to CBS this fall, but the production looks significantly different behind the scenes. CBS has confirmed that Tracker Season 4 will premiere on Sunday, October 4, 2026. Despite social media rumors suggesting the series had been canceled in late 2026, the network’s official schedule and promos confirm the reward-seeker’s return following an early renewal in January 2026.
The Major Move to Los Angeles
The most significant change for the fourth season is a total relocation of the show’s production. Since its debut, the series had been filmed in Vancouver, Canada, utilizing the Pacific Northwest for its varied wilderness backdrops. However, for Season 4, the production has officially moved to Los Angeles.
This shift was primarily driven by financial incentives. The production secured a $48 million tax credit from the state of California to facilitate the move. While the change in location may alter the visual aesthetic of Colter’s travels, the show is expected to maintain its procedural format of visiting new locations each week.
Cast Updates: Jensen Ackles and Series Exits
The Season 4 cast will see a restructuring following the departure of two series regulars. During Season 3, the show saw the exits of Bobby (played by Eric Graise) and Velma (played by Abby McEnany). Their departures leave a gap in Colter’s technical and logistical support team that the new episodes will likely need to address.
Fans can confirm, however, that Jensen Ackles will return as Russell Shaw. Despite a “scare” in the Season 3 finale that suggested his character might be stepping away, Ackles is officially part of the Season 4 roster. His character remains central to the overarching mystery regarding their father, Ashton Shaw.
Justin Hartley, who plays Colter, has indicated that the character’s mindset will shift in the upcoming episodes. Hartley reported that after “unpacking” a significant portion of his family drama in the previous season, Colter will be in a “looser” and generally “better place” as the new season begins.
Resolving the Season 3 Finale Cliffhangers
The narrative direction for Season 4 is expected to pick up the threads left by the high-stakes Season 3 finale. That episode focused heavily on a secret file regarding Ashton Shaw and a deal involving a DARPA-funded Unacknowledged Special Access Program (USAP).
The finale concluded with Russell Shaw leaving town after striking a deal to keep that file hidden from Colter. The tension between the brothers’ different approaches to their father’s legacy is expected to be a primary driver for the serialized elements of the upcoming season, even as the show continues its “case-of-the-week” structure.
Viewers can watch the new season on CBS, with episodes expected to stream on Paramount+ following the broadcast. For those catching up on the series before the October 4 premiere, previous seasons remain available through official CBS digital platforms.
