Colter Shaw’s romance with Reenie can be Tracker ‘s slow burn love story, despite Justin Hartley’s doubts.
Other romantic possibilities for Colter include Billie Matalon — a fellow rewardist played by Hartley’s real-life wife, Sofia Pernas.
Reenie remains Colter’s best shot at love, however, since they trust each other in the field together, as seen throughout Tracker season 1.

A central romance will still arise for Colter Shaw in Tracker season 2, despite Justin Hartley’s comments on the matter. The series launched on CBS in 2024 and quickly became the most popular series on television. Now that Tracker season 2 approaches, Justin Hartley has been answering questions about what to expect from his series when season 2 premieres in the fall. At San Diego Comic-Con in 2024, he even commented on what to expect from Colter’s love life, and it shut down a compelling romance that began to brew throughout many episodes of Tracker season 1.

Hartley attempted to shut out all hope when asked about a romance between Colter and Fiona Rene’s Reenie Green in Tracker season 2. That said, I didn’t believe it. Tracker season 2 needs Reenie and Colter’s chemistry, and as such, there will be a path for their feelings to continue to develop when the series makes its sophomore run in the fall. I suspect that Colter will have other shots at romance in the coming season, and that’s another reason to keep the character open, but I know that love can still bloom for two central Tracker characters.

Colter And Reenie’s Romance Will Slow Burn In Tracker Season 2

Colter And Reenie’s Romance Will Continue Gradually

I know a slow-burn romance isn’t off the table for Reenie and Colter in Tracker season 2. That’s what Tracker season 1 set up for the co-workers. Reenie quickly established herself as a force to reckon with when the series premiered. The narrative conveyed that Reenie and Colter were former lovers, but it didn’t end on mutual terms because Colter left after an intimate night without saying goodbye. That said, in episode 1, Reenie symbolically forgave Colter when she freed him from jail anyway. From there on out, the pair continued to occasionally flirt with each other.

While their relationship began as playful and adversarial, Reenie was seriously there for Colter, and I was moved by how she repeatedly stepped up to help. As they began to build their working relationship, Colter and Reenie’s natural chemistry and ease around one another were evident. Throughout Tracker season 1, their relationship remained platonic because getting involved romantically would complicate the job and give too much of the relationship to audiences at once. The same is valid for season 2 — Tracker will draw it out rather than act on Reenie and Colter’s love story now.

What Else Was Set Up For Colter’s Love Life For Tracker Season 2

Colter Almost Kissed His Rival

I can see other exciting romantic possibilities for Justin Hartley’s character in Tracker season 2 beyond Reenie, however. The series’ first season also introduced Billie Matalon, a fellow tracker and reward hunter who worked alongside Colter in season 1, episode 6, “Lexington.” It established Colter and Billie’s romance, including their rich and complicated past. Colter and Billie previously worked together on a job, but the partnership ultimately ended in an unresolved betrayal. Billie’s appearance revealed that Billie had betrayed Colter in the past and that while their chemistry was palpable, he didn’t trust her.

Justin Hartley said the Billie Matalon character is “definitely coming back” in Tracker season 2, making another run-in between Colter and Billie inevitable. As such, I’m sure there will be another installment of the romance brewing between them. Unlike Colter and Reenie’s chemistry, Tracker acted on his and Billie’s in season 1, when the pair leaned in to share a kiss before a phone call interrupted the moment. While Colter awaited a decided-on dinner date at the episode’s end, the female “rewardist” took a rain check, leaving an open door for Billie to walk back through in Tracker season 2.

Why Reenie Is Still Colter’s Best Shot At Love Despite Justin Hartley’s Comments

Colter And Reenie Have Established Real Trust

Despite Justin Hartley’s comments, Reenie is still Colter Shaw’s best shot at love in Tracker. When the actor addressed the Tracker season 2 romance, he suggested that his character dating Reenie, or anyone else, would be irresponsible. He further indicated that all the things that make Colter brave and heroic, jumping into the line of fire to save others, become careless if there is someone at home waiting for him. While Hartley’s statement is profoundly thoughtful, I didn’t inherently agree with it, at least not as a way to rule out a romance with Reenie.

Ultimately, Reenie is still Colter’s best shot at romance, not despite his comments, but because of them. Reenie is often in the field with Colter, assisting him with investigations. Therefore, Reenie wouldn’t just be waiting around at home for Colter, as she’s an elemental part of his team. Colter’s main concern would be protecting Reenie when they are in harm’s way together. It’s something he already has to do anyway, with Reenie functioning as a central part of his squad. As such, I’m calling Hartley’s bluff, confident the romance will continue to slow-burn in Tracker season 2.