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Tracker follows the story of Colter Shaw (Justin Hartley), a survivalist with a very specific skillset– he has insanely good instincts. This lone wolf uses his instincts and survival skills to help law enforcement and private citizens track people down in exchange for money, and, typically, the people don’t come easily. It is an action-packed series complete with a tech guy behind the chair (Eric Graise) and a rogue protagonist who will do whatever it takes to get the job done. And thankfully, there are other shows with similar themes that fans should watch if they love Tracker.
From the profilers in Criminal Minds and the anti-hero in Dexter, who analyzes and tracks down bad people in order to kill them, there are many shows with characters who deliver the same action-packed appeal as Shaw in Tracker. While these shows might not be about a lone bounty hunter who’s in it for the money, they still have the same intense feel to them, supplying viewers with complex stories, thrills, and characters who will sometimes go outside the law to get the job done.
10 ‘The Night Agent’ (2023-)
Created by Shawn Ryan
Image via Netflix An FBI agent tasked with monitoring the phone used by the secretive Night Agent program, Peter Sutherland (Gabriel Basso), is fairly certain his skills can be used elsewhere. Little does he know that he, along with civilian cybersecurity entrepreneur Rose Larkin (Luciane Buchanan), is about to be thrown into a government conspiracy that started with Rose’s aunt and uncle being murdered, her reason for calling the Night Agent phone. With two assassins tracking them down, Peter and Rose are on the run, trying desperately not only to stay alive but to find out who the traitor is in their government.
A fun thriller, The Night Agent strings viewers along in the best way possible. It has twists and turns in each episode, and, honestly, there is no way to know who to trust and who the high-level traitor in the cast of characters is. Sutherland, like Shaw, is kind of a loner who wants to do the right thing but often gets agitated when things don’t go his way. The show is an action-packed conspiracy that leaves viewers wanting more and making it one of Netflix's best series.
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The Night Agent
Release Date March 23, 2023
Main Genre Drama
Seasons 2
Creator Shawn Ryan
9 ‘Criminal Minds’ (2005-)
Created by Jeff Davis
Image via CBS Criminal Minds follows a team of FBI profilers in the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) as they track down murders and serial killers across the United States, saving not only innocent people but entire towns from horrific events. Led by Jason Gideon (Mandy Patinkin) in earlier seasons before Agent Hotchner (Thomas Gibson) takes over the team, the profilers often find themselves flying around the country only to find themselves engrossed in a terrifying mystery that has a time stamp– aka, they only have 48 hours to find someone before they kill again. Using their skills and knowledge to anticipate a perpetrator's next move, their motive, and victimology, the team races against the clock to get the job done.
The series is suspenseful and action-packed, with a new killer in each episode and an overarching mystery they have to solve throughout any select season. While this show is about a team of FBI agents going after the bad guys, it also dives into the characters' personal struggles, whether it be relationship drama or family trauma. Even though the series is 15 seasons long, with Criminal Minds: Evolution bringing the team back for extra seasons, it is one of those long shows that are well worth the time.
Criminal Minds follows the elite team of FBI profilers in the Behavioral Analysis Unit (BAU) as they analyze and track down the country’s most dangerous serial killers and criminals. Led by experienced agents like Jason Gideon, Aaron Hotchner, and later David Rossi, the team delves into the minds of the perpetrators, using psychological profiling and investigative techniques to anticipate their next moves. Each episode features intense and often chilling cases, while also exploring the personal lives and challenges faced by the team members.
Release Date September 22, 2005
Main Genre Crime
Seasons 17
Network CBS
Streaming Service(s) Paramount Plus
Franchise(s) Criminal Minds
Showrunner Erica Messer
8 ‘Fire Country’ (2022-)
Created by Max Thieriot, Tony Phelan, and Joan Rater
Image via CBS After burning more than bridges in his hometown five years ago, Bode Donovan (Max Thieriot) wants to shorten his prison sentence. A young convict who wants to prove he is more than his rap sheet, Bode joins an unconventional prison release firefighting program. The kicker is the program is in his hometown, a place where he was once the quintessential All-American son, neighbor, and friend. Now, he must work alongside his former friends, other inmates, and seasoned firefighters to put out the fires raging across Northern California.
An action-filled drama with a protagonist viewers can’t help but root for, Fire Country is a series that Tracker fans might want to check out. It is a story about redemption and a guy who wants to prove to his friends and family he is more than a criminal. The popular show even garnered a spin-off, Sheriff’s Country, expanding on the stories of some of the minor characters in the original series.
7 ‘Reacher’ (2022-)
Created by Nick Santora
Image via Prime Video Based on the Reacher book series by Lee Child, Reacher follows the story of former U.S. Army military policeman Jack Reacher (Alan Ritchson). A drifter who goes from town to town solving deadly crimes, Reacher finds himself in the middle of a conspiracy when he is accused of a murder he did not commit. Now, he must use his military training, strength, and intellect to prove dirty cops, politicians, and shady businessmen framed him. A loner with a formative skillset, Reacher takes viewers on an action-packed journey that will have them coming back for more.
The series is very close to the source material, bringing the title character to life in all of his ex-military glory. While he is a loner, Reacher does have a team behind him, helping him solve cases and figure out what is going on in the criminal world. Like Tracker, it is a fast-paced story with criminal minds taking charge left and right to usurp the protagonist. With Ritchson at the helm, the series is one worth watching.
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Reacher
When retired Military Police Officer Jack Reacher is arrested for a murder he did not commit, he finds himself in the middle of a deadly conspiracy full of dirty cops, shady businessmen and scheming politicians. With nothing but his wits, he must figure out what is happening in Margrave, Georgia. The first season of Reacher is based on the international bestseller The Killing Floor by Lee Child.
Release Date February 4, 2022
Seasons 3
Creator(s) Nick Santora
Story By nick santora
Writers Nick Santora
Directors Nick Santora
Showrunner Nick Santora
6 ‘Will Trent’ (2023-)
Created by Karin Slaughter, Liz Heldens, and Daniel T. Thomsen
Image via ABC Based on a series of Will Trent novels by author Karin Slaughter, the ABC series of the same name follows the title character as he solves crimes for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation (GBI). A guy who was abandoned as a child and grew up in the foster care system, Will (Ramón Rodríguez) worked his way up to becoming one of the best special agents in the GBI despite having dyslexia. With envious peers and others who want to see him gone after his arrest of numerous corrupt police officers, Will pushes everything else aside in order to focus on what’s most important to him– making sure no one is left behind like he was as a child.
While Will travels around with his cute, trusted dog, the series is still dark and has troubling plotlines. There is corruption, betrayal, and life-long friendships that are put to the test. It is a police procedural series fans of Tracker might enjoy due to the fast-paced nature of an outcast who wants to do the right thing. Will might have slightly different morals than Colton, but they both want to bring criminals to justice.
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Will Trent
Special Agent Will Trent was abandoned at birth and endured a harsh coming-of-age in Atlanta's overwhelmed foster care system. Determined to make sure no one feels as he did, he now has the highest clearance rate.
Release Date January 3, 2023
Main Genre Drama
Seasons 2
Creator Karin Slaughter, Liz Heldens, Daniel T. Thomsen
Studio 3 Arts Entertainment, Selfish Mermaid, 20th Television
Franchise Will Trent
Distributor Disney Platform Distribution, ABC
Story By Karin Slaughter
Writers Daniel T. Thomsen , Liz Heldens , Karin Slaughter
5 ‘Poker Face’ (2023-)
Created by Rian Johnson
Image via Peacock Starring Natasha Lyonne as Charlie Cale, Poker Face is a comedy-filled crime series full of interesting concepts and strange circumstances. Charlie, a casino worker, is on the run from her boss after a mysterious death takes place. On her journey across the United States, Charlie uses her unique ability to detect lies to help strangers solve murder cases. She is a colorful character who tends to figure things out in unorthodox ways, something viewers really never see coming.
An outcast on the run, Lyonne always has an ace up her sleeve for the character. Her performance is remarkable, and the series is both dramatic and funny, leaving a space for the show to focus on people and places within the United States that people often overlook. The show is a case-of-the-week murder mystery style, so it is a binge-watchable series that is easy to follow and yet complex enough that people will want to know what Charlie will get into next.
Release Date January 26, 2023
Rating
Seasons 1
Creator
Studio
Story By Lilla Zuckerman
Writers Rian Johnson , Lilla Zuckerman
Directors Lilla Zuckerman
Showrunner Lilla Zuckerman
4 ‘Jessica Jones’ (2015-2019)
Created by Melissa Rosenberg
Image via Netflix A private investigator with an attitude problem and super-human strength, Jessica Jones (Krysten Ritter) opens her own detective agency after giving up becoming a superhero. During the course of Jessica Jones' three seasons, viewers watch as Jessica faces off against different foes, including the mind-controlling Kilgrave (David Tennant) and even her adoptive sister and best friend, Trish Walker (Rachael Taylor). In between saving New York from evil people and her own relationship issues, Jones does her best to help the little guy, people who need dirt on their spouse, and even people who think friends or family are missing.
Jones is the epitome of an outcast. She doesn’t believe she needs help from others and yet will do whatever it takes to keep those she loves and cares about safe. As much as she doesn’t want to be a superhero, Jones can’t help but use her formidable gifts while fighting off criminals. Like Colter Shaw, Jones has a knack for doing whatever it takes to get a desired result. Even though this series falls into the superhero genre, it is still a good option for people who enjoy the rouge bounty hunter vibe with a dash of the criminal underworld.
Following the tragic end of her brief superhero career, Jessica Jones tries to rebuild her life as a private investigator, dealing with cases involving people with remarkable abilities in New York City.
Release Date November 20, 2015
Seasons 3
Story By melissa rosenberg
Franchise(s) Marvel Cinematic Universe
Directors Stephen Surjik
3 ‘Stumptown’ (2019-2020)
Created by Jason Richman
Based on Greg Rucka’s comic book series of the same name, Stumptown stars Cobie Smulders as Dex Parios. A former United States Marine, Dex puts her military intelligence skills to good use, becoming a private investigator. The thing is, Dex's brash attitude and non-nonsense approach tend to get her into trouble, especially with the hardened criminals she’s up against. With a gambling debt and a complicated love life, Dex tends to find herself fighting her way out of more than one sticky situation.
A character who doesn’t really play by the rules of local law enforcement or the law in general, Dex is a strong-willed character who does what it takes to get what she wants. It is an action-packed series that is equal parts intense and funny. Granted, it is wise-cracked dry humor, but Smulders’ Dex delivers her lines in such a way that viewers can’t help but root for the underdog.
2 ‘Dexter’ (2006-2013)
Created by James Manos Jr.
Image via Showtime Set in Miami, Florida, Dexter Morgan (Michael C. Hall) is a blood splatter analyst for the Miami Police Department. He has a little secret, though. He is actually a good serial killer, murdering criminals and bad people in Miami and utilizing a set of rules constructed by his adoptive father, Harry (James Remar). Dexter doesn’t go into things without thinking them through. He reviews files, stalks his prey, and sets up a kill room in isolated areas to ensure privacy. To put it mildly, he is a mad genius and one of the best antiheroes.
While Dexter is an unorthodox crime series, it is one that demands notice. The anti-hero of Dexter might be a serial killer, but he is one viewers can’t help but root for solely because he isn’t taking the lives of innocents– Dexter only goes after the bad guys who get away with crimes and are eventually released by the system. He plays by his own rules and is a loner, even when he pretends to be normal. Even though Dexter is a killer, he still believes in a pseudo-concept of law and order, even if he has to take it into his own hands.
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Dexter
Release Date October 31, 2010
Seasons 8
Story By Jeff Lindsay
Network Showtime , CBS
1 ‘Burn Notice’ (2007-2013)
Created by Matt Nix
Image via USA Network A show about espionage and conspiracy, Burn Notice follows former undercover CIA operative Michael Westen (Jeffrey Donovan) as he gets burned. Pretty much a pink slip, Michael is quickly thrown out of the world of espionage and finds himself back in his hometown of Miami with no contacts or resources at his disposal. Highly skilled and clever, Michael takes on private investigator jobs while trying to uncover who burned him and why. A man who can think on his feet and use pretty much anything at his disposal to incapacitate a foe, Burn Notice is an interesting mix between a riveting spy show and an intense crime drama.
With a vengeful spirit and dry humor, Michael is a likable character who viewers want to see find the answers he is looking for. The series has a solid pace, allowing twists, turns, and drama to unfold during each episode. This, in turn, allows both the characters and viewers to figure out little pieces of the puzzle throughout each season. While Burn Notice is definitely heavy on espionage, it is still a series about an underdog who is cast away from society and wants to solve a crime that has been committed against him, making it one of the best spy series.
Release Date June 28, 2007
Seasons 7
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