Justin Hartley chose Tracker because the story and its central character excited him—not because he was set on a particular genre or type of role. After This Is Us, he said he was open to television or film, comedy or action, and roles of any size if the project was compelling enough to give himself to fully.
Hartley was looking for a story worth committing to
In an Associated Press interview ahead of Tracker’s 2024 premiere, Hartley described his search in broad terms: he was willing to consider different genres, formats and role sizes. The deciding factor was whether a project felt strong enough to hold his attention and commitment. “It just had to be a really great project that I knew I was going to pour myself into and was excited about,” he said. (Associated Press, February 6, 2024)
That makes Tracker less a declared career pivot than a response to a particular character and premise. Hartley said he had never encountered a character quite like Colter Shaw, the roaming reward-seeker at the center of the series.
Ken Olin connected him with the source novel
The project grew out of Hartley’s relationship with Ken Olin, his This Is Us collaborator. During the final season of that drama, the two discussed finding another character- and story-driven project to develop together. Olin urged Hartley to read Jeffery Deaver’s novel The Never Game; Hartley recalled loving both the book and its lead character. The novel became the basis for the CBS series, with Hartley playing Colter Shaw. (TV Insider, January 4, 2024; Los Angeles Times, February 9, 2024)
Do these 3 things before closing this tab:
1Fix the driver behind crashes, sound loss and screen glitches2Repair Windows errors before they cause bigger problems3Scan for outdated or missing drivers - takes under a minute#1 Best Overall
- Read Before You Buy — No Video Output: These adapters support charging and USB 2.0 data transfer, but cannot transmit video signals. Except for standard USB webcams (which use USB data only), they are not compatible with HDMI/DisplayPort cables, video-capable USB-C hubs, or docking stations with video output.
- Convert USB-A Ports to USB-C: Designed to connect USB-C earphones, cables, flash drives, card readers, and other USB-C accessories to standard USB-A ports. Plug-and-play with no drivers or software required.
- Aluminum Alloy Housing: Built with a sturdy aluminum alloy shell that aids in heat dissipation and protects against daily wear and scratches. Designed to maintain a stable and secure connection.
- Compact & Travel-Friendly: The ultra-compact design allows the adapter to stay plugged into your device without blocking adjacent ports or adding bulk, reducing wear and tear on your original USB ports.
- 12-Month Warranty: Backed by a 12-month manufacturer warranty for peace of mind. Designed to meet strict quality control standards for reliable everyday performance.
Olin described their appetite for a different kind of series to the AP: “We were both in the mood to go do something where the guy’s got a job and a gun.” The initial aim, however, was to find an engaging character and story—not to choose an action genre first and build around it.
Colter gave Hartley a markedly different kind of role
Kevin Pearson’s life in This Is Us unfolded within an ensemble family drama. Colter’s work takes him from place to place, following reward-seeking cases that can involve finding people, animals, lost evidence or sentimental belongings. CBS describes him as a lone-wolf survivalist who helps people and law enforcement solve mysteries; the weekly investigations provide the series with a case-of-the-week structure, while his family history and motivations develop over time. (CBS, February 12, 2024; Associated Press, February 6, 2024)
Rank #2
- 5-in-1 USB-C Hub: Experience comprehensive connectivity featuring a Power Delivery input, two USB-A 2.0 ports, a USB-A 3.0 port, and an HDMI port. (Note: The USB-C power delivery input port is only for connecting an external wall charger to power your laptop and cannot power peripheral devices.)
- 90W Pass-Through Charging: Achieve optimal charging with 90W pass-through power to your laptop, supported by a total input of 100W, with the hub reserving 10W for operational efficiency. (Note: Wall charger not included.)
- Quick Data Transfers: Accelerate your productivity with rapid data transfers using a high-speed 5Gbps USB 3.0 port and two 480Mbps USB 2.0 ports.
- 4K HDMI Display: Enhance your visual experience with a hub capable of delivering 4K resolution at 30Hz in both mirror and extend modes. Please note that this hub is compatible with MacBook (macOS 12 and newer), Windows 10 and 11, ChromeOS, and laptops equipped with DP Alt Mode and Power Delivery. Note: This device is not compatible with Linux.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (5-in-1, 4K HDMI), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
The change also gave Hartley more physical work. In a CBS News interview, he said he enjoyed that aspect of the role: “I like the physicality. It’s fun. It’s something different.” That contrast mattered after the emotionally demanding work of playing Kevin, but Hartley did not describe Colter as an emotionless opposite. He said Colter is led by his heart in a certain way, and told TV Insider that the characters share a heart even though their circumstances are entirely different. (CBS News, April 29, 2024; TV Insider, January 4, 2024)
Independent reader supportYour contribution helps us test, update, and keep practical guides available for everyone.He worked to keep Kevin from carrying over
Hartley said he made a list of differences between the characters so that his familiar portrayal of Kevin would not bleed into Colter. “I didn’t want Kevin leaking out into what I was doing for Colter,” he told CBS News. His distinction was deliberate: Colter’s solitary, mobile work and guarded nature called for a different performance, even if both men retain an emotional core.
Recommended Free Tools
Rank #3
- Sleek 7-in-1 USB-C Hub: Features an HDMI port, two USB-A 3.0 ports, and a USB-C data port, each providing 5Gbps transfer speeds. It also includes a USB-C PD input port for charging up to 100W and dual SD and TF card slots, all in a compact design.
- Flawless 4K@60Hz Video with HDMI: Delivers exceptional clarity and smoothness with its 4K@60Hz HDMI port, making it ideal for high-definition presentations and entertainment. (Note: Only the HDMI port supports video projection; the USB-C port is for data transfer only.)
- Double Up on Efficiency: The two USB-A 3.0 ports and a USB-C port support a fast 5Gbps data rate, significantly boosting your transfer speeds and improving productivity.
- Fast and Reliable 85W Charging: Offers high-capacity, speedy charging for laptops up to 85W, so you spend less time tethered to an outlet and more time being productive.
- What You Get: Anker USB-C Hub (7-in-1), welcome guide, 18-month warranty, and our friendly customer service.
So Hartley’s explanation combines two things: he wanted material strong enough to command his commitment, and The Never Game offered a character he found fresh, with a role that let him explore physical action and a different dramatic world. He was not, by his account, choosing a genre over his past work so much as choosing a story and character that felt worth inhabiting.
Quick Recap
Best Value
- 5-in-1 Connectivity: Equipped with a 4K HDMI port, a 5 Gbps USB-C data port, two 5 Gbps USB-A ports, and a USB C 100W PD-IN port. Note: The USB C 100W PD-IN port supports only charging and does not support data transfer devices such as headphones or speakers.
- Powerful Pass-Through Charging: Supports up to 85W pass-through charging so you can power up your laptop while you use the hub. Note: Pass-through charging requires a charger (not included). Note: To achieve full power for iPad, we recommend using a 45W wall charger.
- Transfer Files in Seconds: Move files to and from your laptop at speeds of up to 5 Gbps via the USB-C and USB-A data ports. Note: The USB C 5Gbps Data port does not support video output.
- HD Display: Connect to the HDMI port to stream or mirror content to an external monitor in resolutions of up to 4K@30Hz. Note: The USB-C ports do not support video output.
- What You Get: Anker 332 USB-C Hub (5-in-1), welcome guide, our worry-free 18-month warranty, and friendly customer service.
Rank #4
- Dual Converters, Infinite Potential：Includes 2× USB C male to USB A female adapters and 2× USB A male to USB C female adapters. Perfect for a wide range of uses—tablets with Bluetooth keyboards, expand USB ports on macbook, and more. Two different converters for all your daily needs
- Next-Level 10Gbps & 3A Charging: No more slow 480Mbps, this usb to usb c adapter has a transfer speed of up to 10Gbps, allowing you to do more transferring in less time. This usb adapter fits both USB A and USB C charger, supporting up to 3A fast charging
- Upgraded Exquisite Craftsmanship: With an aluminum alloy housing and metal connector, the usbc to usb adapter is extremely durable and sturdy. Rigorously tested to withstand more than 10,000 times of plugging and unplugging, ensuring long-lasting performance
- Broad Compatible: The usb c to usb adapter widely supports all USB C/ USB A devices like laptops, tablets, cellphones, car chargers, and phone chargers. Such as compatible with MacBook Pro/Air 2023/2022, Thunderbolt 4/3 Devices,Apple MagSafe Watch 9/8/7/SE/Ultra, iPad Pro 2022/2021, Samsung Galaxy S23/S20/S10, and iPhone 17/16/15 Pro. Plug and play
- Please Note: To reach 10Gbps speed, keep the cable under 3.3 ft. For USB A Male to USB C adapters, try flipping the USB C connector. USB C Male to USB A adapters support bidirectional 10Gbps transfer within 3.3 ft
Product prices and availability are accurate as of the date/time indicated and are subject to change. Any price and availability information displayed on Amazon at the time of purchase will apply.
