Tracker introduced a solid cast in its debut season, and some of the Tracker characters naturally stood out. The cast of characters was adapted from a series of novels by Jeffery Deaver, collectively called the Colter Shaw series. Justin Hartley established an on-screen representation of the character in Tracker season 1, a self-proclaimed "rewardist" who makes life-or-death decisions based on probabilities and lives in an airstream trailer on the open road. The Tracker cast of characters also established Colter's family and members of his support team.
The series was successful in season 1 and was renewed for Tracker season 2 after just four episodes. While Justin Hartley's portrayal of the Colter Shaw character and his ability to hold attention on screen are undoubtedly responsible for the show's success, the characters and actors who support him are just as vital to the series as its protagonist. The best characters in the series are the ones who best complement Deaver's central character when brought to life on screen. Some characters undeniably bring out the best sides of Colter Shaw's reserved personality.
6Velma Bruin
Abby McEnany Plays Colter's Handler
Velma Bruin is one of Colter Shaw's handlers. She brings fantastic representation to Tracker with her spouse, Teddi, and ultimately, she's still a likable character even though she lands at the top of the list. Velma and Teddi weren't featured in a way that their complete personalities could shine in Tracker season 1. There were tidbits of cute moments between the wives, but ultimately, they mostly faded into the backdrop in season 1. Velma has a big heart, evident in how she begs Teddi for a puppy even though they have multiple dogs.
Velma is one of the people responsible for getting Colter work. She advocates for the job he takes in season 1, episode 5, "St. Louis." A girl believes her father, convicted of murder, is innocent of his crime. She starts a fundraiser, raising $20,000 to find a witness to exonerate her father. Velma encourages Colter to take the case, and ultimately, he does. The girl's father is able to go free after Colter finds the witness. Even though Velma is at the top, she's a sweet character with all the elements necessary to develop in Tracker season 2.
5Teddi Bruin
Robin Weigert Is Colter's Other Handler And Spouse To Velma
While Teddi is the more serious of the couple, she is arguably more likable. There are times when Teddi makes crucial decisions that keep the team moving forward, like in season 1, episode 1, "Klamath Falls." After Colter is arrested and held in jail after breaking into the office of a fast-food restaurant, Teddi makes a crucial decision. She calls Reenie Green to get Colter out of jail, despite Velma's protests. Velma knows that Colter has bad blood with Reenie, but Teddi knows that it's ultimately what Colter needs, and moments like that are why she's the better character.
Ultimately, Velma and Teddi need more room to grow in season 2. Velma and Teddi could be in the field with Colter or seek his help like Reenie and Bobby did in season 1. Velma is a good character, but Teddi was even better in season 1. Velma had a cute moment in "Klamath Falls" when she showed Teddi a picture of a dog on her phone. However, Teddi bested the moment when she adopted the dog for Velma and surprised her spouse by having it at their house. Moments such as that made Teddi slightly more charming.
4Bobby Exley
Eric Graise Portrays The Hacker And IT Specialist
Bobby is easy to like, but he gives Colter a lot of crap. In a sense, the constant ruse makes it challenging to get to know who Bobby is as a character. While Reenie doles it out, too, it's more flirtatious. Still, there are glimmers of what the Bobby character can be in Tracker season 1. In episode 7, "Chicago," Bobby seeks Colter's help in his city after his friend, Sun Mai, goes missing. The episode shows Bobby acting out of concern for his friend, and it is easier to know what Bobby was all about in those moments.
Bobby is a hacker, which makes his character indelibly cool. Eric Graise, who portrays Bobby, had both his legs amputated as a child and brings vital representation to the screen. He shines when he ultimately saves Sun Mai after going head-on into the underground fighting ring holding her hostage. He brings in the right people to help her while lending himself to the investigation. Bobby rarely got out of the office in season 1, but the audience could see a more complete picture of his personality when he did.
3Colter Shaw
Justin Hartley Plays The Tracker
As the series protagonist and star of the show, Colter is one of the most likable characters in Tracker season 1. Justin Hartley plays a skillful and compelling protagonist; crucial elements of his personality and operation are responsible for Tracker's season 1 success. In the series' debut season, Hartley proved he could take the lead, and the character he developed is undoubtedly at the show's heart. He has a covert and deadly skill set, yet his ability to reason his way out of situations is often more impressive.
Colter is particularly likable, especially for someone who has to be intimidating and invasive. His work has empathy; ultimately, the show wouldn't exist without him. Colter Shaw is the central character from the book series on which the television show was based. It would be unnatural to dislike him because of the ease with which he saves people and showcases interesting skills he gained from his background. Colter's childhood was confusing, which makes his character vulnerable and more accessible to identify with. Still, Colter is calm and collected, but not in a way that feels unapproachable or arrogant.
Justin Hartley will no doubt continue to develop the character in Tracker season 2, and his character isn't expected to be any less compelling. Tracker season 2 will feature more episodes than season 1, giving the series protagonist more time to develop his character and tell the story of who he is and where he came from. The story of Colter's upbringing is already a fascinating tale, and ultimately, it coerces a complexity in the character, which is the duality of reservedness and assertiveness. He is a lone wolf but trusts people, and people deeply trust him.
2Reenie Green
Fiona Rene Plays The Go-To Legal Professional
Reenie Green is one of the most likable characters in Tracker season 1. From episode 1, Reenie is always there when Colter needs her; there is not a time in season 1's entirety that she doesn't come through when the team is counting on her. Reenie bails Colter out of jail multiple times, including in episode 1 and then again in episode 12, "Off the Books," when Colter is with his brother Russell. It's especially kind of Reenie to exonerate Colter in "Klamath Falls" because he isn't even excited to see her when she shows up.
Reenie is likable because while she calls out Colter's behavior throughout the series, she is always there for the team and influences the investigations in funny and memorable ways. Her presence gradually increases throughout season 1 in a way that feels natural. Moreover, season 1 could have positioned her as a main character in season 2. Due to Reenie's evolving presence and her quitting her job in the season finale, it looks like Reenie Green will join the Tracker team in season 2, and the team will be better for it.
Fiona Rene has a massive effect on her character's likability. She has fantastic chemistry with Justin Hartley and Jensen Ackles' characters, and there was even a potential love triangle set up in season 1. That said, Reenie's ability to hold her boundaries is just one of the things that made her a character that was so easy to get behind. Reenie is ultimately one of the best characters because she has deep-seated empathy for those around her and fights to help everyone she can.
1Russell Shaw
Jensen Ackles Portrays Colter Shaw's Brother
Even as a potential murder suspect, Russell Shaw is the most likable character in Tracker. Portrayed by Jensen Ackles, Russell debuted in season 1, episode 12, "Off the Books." Before he appeared, it was believed that the eldest Shaw brother was the one who killed Colter's father in Tracker. However, when Ackles appeared on-screen as the character, he was established as easygoing and trustworthy. Russell insisted that he didn't kill his father and that there was someone else in the woods that night. At the end of the episode, it seemed like Colter believed him.
Jensen Ackles is so likable as Russell Shaw that it makes it hard to believe he murdered his father. It could have compromised the narrative if the character appeared any sooner than episode 12. Instead, Russell could be a major ally to Colter in season 2. It's been confirmed that Jensen Ackles will return to Tracker for the upcoming season, so there's much to expect from one of the best Tracker season 1 characters. He's a part of Colter's team now since he's officially assisted on an investigation, and he surely will help again in season 2.
While Tracker centers around Justin Harley's character, and he is delightful to watch on-screen as the protagonist, Russell brings something special as Colter's brother. Jensen Ackles' character is also necessary to balance Colter out. While he is a lone wolf and lives on the open road, Hartley's character can be reserved and traditional. Russell challenges that and adds a more gruff character to the mix. He mirrors some of the reward-seeker's qualities and defies others. As such, Ackles is the yin to Hartley's yang.
