Justin Hartley Expands Television Footprint With New ABC Drama Ahead of 'Tracker' Season 4 Return

Published 06/09/2026, 1:07 AM CDT

Credits: Justin Hartley at Critics Choice Awards 2026/@justinhartley/via Instagram

Justin Hartley is expanding his television footprint by developing a new ABC drama while gearing up for his return in Tracker season 4. Justin Hartley has spent the past few years cementing his place as one of network television’s most reliable leading men. With Tracker continuing to dominate ratings and attract a loyal audience, the actor has become closely associated with Colter Shaw’s adventures and the mysteries that drive the hit CBS drama.

Yet Hartley’s ambitions appear to stretch well beyond acting alone. As anticipation builds for the next chapter of Tracker, the star is quietly broadening his presence behind the camera, signaling that his influence in television may continue to grow in the years ahead.

Justin Hartley balances his hit CBS series Tracker Season 4 with an ambitious new endeavor

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While preparing to return as Colter Shaw in Tracker season 4, Justin Hartley is also developing a new drama project for ABC. The series, A Forgotten Kill, is based on Isabella Maldonado’s 2024 novel and is being developed through Hartley’s production company, ChangeUp Productions. The move highlights Hartley’s growing influence behind the scenes as he continues to expand his role in television beyond acting.

The adaptation centers on Dani Vega, a former Army Ranger and talented FBI agent known for her ability to recognize patterns and crack difficult cases. When she teams up with NYPD Detective Mark Flint, the pair must navigate challenging investigations while Dani uncovers a family secret that could change her life forever. Hartley will executive produce the project alongside longtime collaborator Ken Olin, while Diana Son is attached as writer and executive producer. The project marks another significant step in Hartley’s growing role as a producer, even as he remains the face of one of television’s biggest dramas.

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With Hartley balancing responsibilities on both sides of the camera, attention is also turning toward what lies ahead for Colter Shaw when Tracker returns.

Colter Shaw’s next chapter could be the biggest yet

Recent comments from Justin Hartley suggest that season 4 will take Tracker into deeper emotional territory. After years of exploring the mystery surrounding Ashton Shaw and the tensions within the Shaw family, the actor indicated that the upcoming season will build upon those developments in a much more expansive way.

“We’ll come back with something, we already have it, it’s pretty incredible. Honestly, I think it’s our most ambitious season to date, but I think it’s also our richest one, in terms of character and backstory and where we’re taking Colter,” Hartley told TheWrap in an interview.

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Justin Hartley also noted that the series reached an important turning point by finally addressing many of the lingering questions surrounding Colter’s father and his complicated relationship with Russell. Rather than prolonging the mystery, the creative team chose to deliver meaningful answers, creating space for fresh storylines and new challenges. As a result, season 4 is expected to usher in a new era for Colter, one that focuses on growth, consequences, and unexplored layers of his past.

Whether through Tracker or his latest producing venture, Hartley is continuing to expand his television footprint in meaningful ways. As one project prepares for its next season and another begins taking shape, the actor’s influence across the TV landscape appears stronger than ever.

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Are you more excited for Colter Shaw’s next journey in Tracker season 4, or for Justin Hartley’s new ABC drama A Forgotten Kill? Let us know in the comments! 

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Karishma Dasgupta

447 articles

Karishma is an entertainment journalist at Netflix Junkie. She enjoys digging deep into stories and bringing clarity to the often fast-moving world of entertainment. She holds a double Master’s degree in Fashion Business Management and Digital Marketing.

Edited By: Aliza Siddiqui

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