Tracker Season 4 Moves to California With Record $48M Tax Credit
CBS's hit drama Tracker is making history with its move to Los Angeles for Season 4, a shift that brings production to American soil for the first time and sets a new record for tax-incentivized relocations. The move, finalized in May, was driven by a massive $48 million tax credit from California, the largest ever for a CBS flagship drama.
Justin Hartley, who stars as survivalist Colter Shaw, remains at the helm as both lead actor and executive producer. The show, which debuted in 2024, has consistently ranked among the most-watched scripted series on network television, trailing only ABC's High Potential and CBS's Yellowstone spinoff Marshals.
Why Did Tracker Move Production to Los Angeles?
Seasons 1 through 3 of Tracker were filmed in Vancouver and surrounding areas in British Columbia. Season 4 marks the first time the series will be regularly filmed in the United States, the country where the show is set.
The relocation was motivated by a record-breaking $48 million tax credit from California, confirmed by Deadline in May. That figure surpasses the $42.8 million credit Amazon's Fallout received to move production to California, setting a new high-water mark for the state's incentive program.
What Does the California Move Mean for the Show?
The shift opens new storytelling possibilities for Colter Shaw. With Los Angeles as the home base, the series gains access to a fresh set of cities, landmarks, and landscapes across California. Fans can expect Colter to take on cases in urban settings like LA, building on his track record in Chicago, St. Louis, and Boston.
The change also offers more diverse terrain for the skilled survivalist, who is most at home tracking in the great outdoors. California's varied geography, from coastal regions to mountains and deserts, provides a rich backdrop for the procedural's action sequences.
What Happened in the Tracker Season 3 Finale?
Season 3's finale set the stage for significant changes in Season 4. Colter and his brother Russell Shaw, played by Jensen Ackles, investigated the Chrono Stasis Institute, successfully recovering Danny Kellerman (Reid Miller) and his friend Lola (Laurel Marsden).
But the rescue came with complications. A Department of Defense agent named McIntyre (Glenn Morshower) approached Russell with an offer: secure his and Colter's freedom by taking on a covert operation. Russell accepted, vanishing at the end of the season and asking Reenie Green (Fiona Rene) to cover for him.
Will Jensen Ackles Return in Tracker Season 4?
Yes, Jensen Ackles is expected to return for the upcoming installment. His character's departure at the end of Season 3 accommodated the actor's busy filming schedule, but the older Shaw brother is slated to come back.
McIntyre also revealed a secret to Russell about apparent mistreatment of Colter during his younger years. Combined with Ashton's involvement in remote viewing and astral projection at the Chrono Stasis Institute, Season 4 could continue exploring supernatural territory as Ackles returns to the procedural.
What Can Fans Expect From Tracker Season 4?
Season 4 is expected to push the boundaries of the show's grounded premise. Colter will encounter aliens, witchcraft, and pseudoscience that shift expectations from the more realistic first season. The Shaw brothers can also continue unraveling the mystery of Colter's father after Season 3's cliffhanger.
With Reenie's developing storyline and the new California locations, Tracker could look quite different in Season 4. Filming began in late July, and the series continues to be one of the most-watched dramas on network TV.
Tracker airs Sundays on CBS and streams on Paramount+.