CBS officially launched the fourth season of its hit action-drama procedural Tracker on Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026. This premiere delivered major production changes alongside a high-stakes narrative. Starring Justin Hartley as lone-wolf reward seeker Colter Shaw, the new season introduces a permanent production move to Los Angeles and deeper explorations into the serialized Shaw family conspiracy.
The season premiere, titled “Safe Harbor,” follows Colter as he searches for a missing father. This case quickly pulls him into a complex criminal operation centered at the Port of Los Angeles. Fans looking to stream the series can watch new episodes live via the Paramount+ Premium plan or catch them on-demand the following day on the Paramount+ Essential tier.
A Major Production Relocation to California
After filming its first three seasons in Vancouver, Canada, Tracker officially relocated its production base to Southern California. The move was facilitated by a $48 million state tax credit designed to bring television production jobs back to the region.
Showrunner Elwood Reid noted that location plays a vital role in the series’ storytelling. While the show follows Colter across various North American landscapes, the new Southern California base utilizes versatile local terrain-such as Lancaster, Griffith Park, and Burbank-to stand in for settings nationwide. This move simultaneously returns hundreds of production jobs to local crews.
Series star and executive producer Justin Hartley expressed enthusiasm for the transition. “I’m proud of what we built in Vancouver. I’m also very excited we’re bringing Tracker to L.A.,” Hartley stated. “I’m looking forward to continuing to tell these stories alongside the new, fresh places we’ll be heading to next.”
Cast Changes and Character Promotions for Season 4
Season 4 brings much-needed stability to the show’s ensemble following several notable character exits in previous seasons. Ahead of the premiere, CBS confirmed the promotion of Cassady McClincy Zhang to series regular status. Zhang plays Melanie “Mel” Day, assistant to legal expert Reenie Greene (Fiona Rene).
Zhang joins a main cast that includes Justin Hartley, Fiona Rene, and Chris Lee. Lee was previously elevated to series regular to play hacker Randy. The expansion of Mel and Randy’s roles gives Colter a more established support system, shifting the dynamic of the show closer to a true ensemble procedural rather than relying entirely on solo investigations.
Unresolved Family Mysteries and Returning Faces
Alongside its case-of-the-week formula, Tracker Season 4 continues to unpack the dark history of the Shaw family. The explosive Season 3 finale connected Colter and Russell’s late father to a government research program involving gifted children, while leaving a massive cliffhanger regarding information withheld by Russell.
Jensen Ackles is confirmed to reprise his role as Russell Shaw, ensuring that the tense brotherly dynamic remains a central narrative thread. Other recurring guest stars, including Melissa Roxburgh as Dory Shaw and Brent S**xton as John Keaton, are expected to weave back into the narrative as the season progresses.
Tracker Season 4 Broadcast and Streaming Schedule
- Premiere Date: Sunday, Oct. 4, 2026
- Premiere Time: 9:30 PM ET on CBS
- Regular Time Slot: Sundays at 9 PM ET/PT (beginning Oct. 11, 2026)
- Streaming Options: Live streaming via Paramount+ Premium; next-day on-demand via Paramount+ Essential.
