Summary:
- Jensen Ackles, famous for “Supernatural,” made his CBS debut on “Tracker,” cleverly nodding to his Dean Winchester character with a Chevrolet Impala reference.
- Ackles’ dedication to the Impala was evident, even securing ownership of it after “Supernatural” ended.
- Ackles’ role on “Tracker” as Russell Shaw promises intriguing dynamics and a nod to his “Dean Winchester” persona.
Jensen Ackles, known for his iconic role as Dean Winchester on Supernatural, found a clever way to nod to his character during his debut on CBS’s ‘Tracker.
The Easter egg unfolded during the May 12th episode. Justin Hartley‘s character, Colter, is reunited with his estranged brother, Russell (played by Ackles). As Colter picks Russell up at a motel (already sparking a sense of deja vu for Supernatural fans), Russell gives a playful pat to a nearby Chevrolet Impala parked next to Colter’s truck. (The Impala mysteriously disappears when Colter returns to the motel later.)
For those familiar with Ackles’ work, this subtle detail held significant meaning. In Supernatural, Ackles played Dean Winchester, whose prized possession was a Chevrolet Impala affectionately nicknamed “Baby.” The car, passed down from Dean’s father John Winchester (Jeffrey Dean Morgan), became a constant companion on their monster-hunting adventures. Ackles even took ownership of the car after Supernatural concluded.
Ackles’ dedication to the Impala was well-documented. In a 2020 interview with Digital Spy, he revealed, “As far as taking something on the final day, I will definitely be taking something that I’ve had my eye on since day one of Supernatural.” He elaborated on his efforts to secure the car, mentioning,
“I begged and begged and pleaded for years, but I finally got it this year. They’re going to let me drive home the Impala.” His persistence even led to a clause being added to his contract. On Michael Rosenbaum‘s “Inside of You” podcast, Ackles shared, “I’ve been talking about that for two years now, and they finally added that to my contract this last season.
Supernatural’s ending didn’t slow Ackles down. He has landed guest roles on shows like “Big Sky” and “The Boys.” In 2022, he reunited with his former co-star Jared Padalecki (who played Sam Winchester) by directing an episode of Padalecki’s show “Walker” and making a cameo appearance. Ackles also served as an executive producer and narrator for the short-lived “Supernatural” spin-off “The Winchesters” (2022-2023).
Now, Ackles is poised for a major role on ‘Tracker.’ The first season offered glimpses into Colter’s complicated relationship with Russell, with Colter hinting at estrangement due to his belief that Russell was responsible for their father’s death. The latest episode featured Russell’s perspective, revealing someone else’s presence on the fateful night. Despite their unresolved issues, Colter agrees to help Russell with an investigation that delves into Special Forces missions, clandestine programs, and conspiracy theories. Interestingly, some of Russell’s scenes carried a subtle “Dean Winchester” vibe.
Fans eager for more Ackles can rest easy. Justin Hartley confirmed Ackles’ return for season 2, stating to Collider, “When it was time to cast Russell Shaw, I was like, ‘We built this whole thing up. It’s important that we get somebody in there that is just a juggernaut. Somebody that you would believe because he’s gonna go toe-to-toe with Colter, in a good or bad way, and that you also believe is his brother.’ And I just thought Jensen Ackles would be perfect for it.”
‘Tracker’ airs Sundays at 9 p.m. ET on CBS, with new episodes available the next day on Paramount+.
