Jensen Ackless Tracker Replacement Officially Confirms His Biggest Year Yet

Jensen Ackles is widely known for playing Dean Winchester in Supernatural, but the actor has expanded his TV horizons since the CW show’s 2020 ending — and 2027 could prove his biggest year yet. Ackles’s most recent TV appearance was in Tracker Season 4, where he briefly returned as Russell Shaw. Justin Hartley told TV Insider that Ackles likely will be back in later episodes, but that’s not the only project from the Supernatural alum that viewers have to look forward to.

It was recently announced that Ackles will also star in the upcoming MGM+ series Rules of Prey, where he’ll play Lucas Davenport. Based on John Sandford’s thriller book series, Rules of Prey will task Ackles’s former Minneapolis Police Department detective with solving a string of murders. After the actor’s recent thriller projects, it feels like a perfect fit. It’s not the only time Ackles will be on-screen piecing together a mystery, either. Audiences will be seeing a lot of him in 2027.

Jensen Ackles Will Have Lead Roles in Two Major TV Shows Next Year

Prime Video

Prime Video

In addition to tackling roles in prominent action thrillers like Tracker and Countdown, Ackles’s post-Supernatural life has been heavily wrapped up in The Boys franchise. The actor made his debut as Soldier Boy back in Season 3. He has since returned as the supe in the spin-off series Gen V and, most recently, in The Boys‘s fifth and final outing.

Despite Soldier Boy’s dubious morality, he’s become a beloved character — a development Ackles’s charming performance no doubt contributed to. And the supe will be back in 2027, as he’s one of the leads in the next spin-off series, Vought Rising. Vought Rising will take viewers back to the 1950s, showcasing Soldier Boy’s early career and team while simultaneously unraveling a murder mystery.

With Rules of Prey also expected to premiere in 2027 (via Deadline), that gives Ackles two lead roles in prominent TV shows next year. Any addition to The Boys franchise is likely to draw viewership, even after Season 5’s divisive ending. Considering that Rules of Prey is based on a series of bestsellers, the MGM+ adaptation will also come with an established audience. Additionally, it has over 30 books to work with.

That gives Ackles two major series to work with, both of which could spin out into something bigger. Between Countdown being canceled after a single season and Ackles taking on a recurring guest role in Tracker, it’ll be nice to see him in the spotlight again. If Russell Shaw makes another comeback in 2027 — and that sounds likely — it’ll be a great year for anyone hoping to see more of him.

The Actor Will Likely Return in ‘Tracker’ in 2027, Too

It sounds like Ackles will be busy over the next year or so, but that doesn’t mean we’ve seen the last of Russell Shaw. Russell has become a fan-favorite character over the course of Tracker‘s run. Unfortunately, he’s also been used too sparingly, leaving viewers consistently awaiting his next appearance.

There’s good news on that front. Hartley told TV Insider that the CBS series would probably bring him back for a few installments in 2027:

“He’s in at least one [episode], and we’ll have him back when we can. I think probably in the new year, we’ll have him back for a few.”

If that proves true, it will only add to an already-promising year for the actor. For those who hoped his career would blow up on the heels of Supernatural, 2027 could facilitate that. The only thing more exciting would be some sort of Supernatural reunion or revival. In the meantime, we’ll take more opportunities to see Ackles’s range.

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  Rules of Prey
  

  
  

  Network

  MGM+

  Directors

  Daniel Sackheim