Fans of Tracker who are still feeling the sting of recent cast changes might find a familiar face in a new, darker setting. One of the show’s former stars has landed a key role in Monster: The Ed Gein Story, giving viewers a chance to reconnect with an actor they’ve missed.
This latest season of Ryan Murphy’s chilling anthology series, which premiered on Friday, October 3, delves into the disturbing tale of Ed Gein. In the story, Ed Gein, played by Charlie Hunnam, gets involved with Adeline Watkins, portrayed by Suzanna Son. Adeline’s mother, Enid Watkins, played by Robin Weigert, strongly disapproves of their connection. Later in the series, Enid reveals a horrifying past, remembering how she repeatedly threw herself down stairs while pregnant, hoping to avoid giving birth to Adeline.
Weigert’s appearance on Monster will be a welcome sight for those who watched her on CBS’s hit show Tracker. The adventure series, starring Justin Hartley, became an instant sensation after its February 2024 debut. It pulled in record-breaking audience numbers, with fans tuning in weekly to follow Colter, a fictional survivor, as he crisscrosses the country, helping to solve various missing persons cases.
As Colter’s journey unfolded, his support system grew. The cast expanded to include characters like the handlers Teddi, played by Weigert, and Velma, portrayed by Abby McEnany. There was also Bobby, the sharp hacker played by Eric Graise, and Reenie, the quick-witted lawyer brought to life by Fiona Rene.
Weigert’s character, Teddi, joined Tracker in its first season. However, she was written off right in the premiere episode. Her wife, Velma, shared that they needed some space. After Teddi’s departure, Velma continued her work on the show alongside Reenie, and Teddi was not mentioned again in season 2.
Velma later explained her own return to the show at the start of season 2. She said, "Teddi is going to stay a little longer. She’s helping her mom get organized. I was getting in the way, so to speak, and it really wasn’t good. So I came back. Don’t worry because I keep my pace and stay busy." This clarified why Teddi wasn’t around while Velma continued her role.
The worries about key characters didn’t stop there. Eric Graise, who plays Bobby, was noticeably missing for six episodes. His cousin, Randy, played by Chris Lee, stepped in to assist Colter. Bobby eventually returned, but his absence had already unsettled viewers who had grown accustomed to seeing Graise on screen. Before season 3 kicked off, news broke that both Graise and McEnany (Velma) would not be returning, at least for the foreseeable future.
Executive producer Elwood Reid shed some light on these changes during an interview with an entertainment publication back in May. "I think it’s evolving," Reid stated. "If I can’t make those characters evolve — Randy, Reenie, or Bobby — they’re not just people who answer the phone and say, ‘Okay, here’s the answer.’ That’s when the show stops trying." He added that the real joy comes from truly getting to know these characters. Reid emphasized the challenge of keeping the series fresh and preventing it from becoming predictable.
Reid also made it clear that they didn’t want Tracker to become "complacent." He highlighted the show’s core promise: "The only real rule I have for the show is that every week Colter will arrive at a new place and there will be a new case." He explained that how Colter gathers information and who he relies on from his team will always be part of the mystery. Reid hinted at future plans, saying, "Meeting these strange local characters is something we will try to do more of as the season progresses. Just Colter arriving and interacting with other characters. It’s fun to see Justin unleash his talent with excellent guest actors."
If you’re eager to catch Robin Weigert’s new performance, Monster is currently streaming on Netflix. Meanwhile, Tracker fans can mark their calendars: the show returns to CBS on Sunday, October 19, at 8 p.m. ET. Episodes will be available the next day on Paramount+.