Warning: This story contains spoilers for the mid-season three finale of Tracker.
Colter Shaw’s tracker has seemingly lost its signal…for now.
Following the dramatic season three finale of Tracker, which ended with the show’s main character (played by Justin Hartley) trapped in a car crash, executive producer Elwood Reid discussed the decision to leave viewers uncertain about his survival.
Elwood, a writer known for his realistic approach, explained to Collider that he often anticipates characters surviving dramatic situations. He believes truly effective cliffhangers aren’t just about putting characters in danger, but about how those characters overcome those challenges and what happens afterward.
He explained that cliffhangers are effective because they place characters in incredibly tense and dramatic situations, which is the real payoff for using them.
Colter, known for his incredible ability to find missing people, has repeatedly risked his life since the show began last February. But his most recent dangerous situation has viewers concerned about whether he’ll fully recover.
In the December 13th episode, Colter and retired officer Keaton (Brent Sexton) are investigating a disturbing murder at a farm when Emile Lang (Mark Engelhardt), the man they suspect, shoots them. While driving Keaton to the hospital, their car crashes, and the episode ends on a cliffhanger with the words “To be continued.”
The episode ended with a major cliffhanger and many questions left unanswered, so Elwood encouraged viewers to share their own theories while they wait for Tracker to return in March 2026.
Elwood pointed out that Colter often finds himself in dangerous and difficult circumstances. He makes mistakes, gets hurt frequently, and encounters people who challenge him. Elwood believes this creates suspense for the audience, making them wonder about Colter’s fate and how he’ll overcome these obstacles – even questioning if he’ll survive.
Despite serious injuries that seem lasting, Elwood shared that Colter is potentially recovering. However, he’s now become a prime target.
In the second part of the story, his condition is much worse than anyone realizes,” he revealed to TVLine on December 14th. “He’s the sole survivor of the car crash, but that’s just the beginning of his troubles. He quickly becomes a person of interest – and then a wanted man – because he’s found near several crime scenes, leading people to suspect he might be involved with the killer.”
He continued, saying there’s a related storyline that provides more context, but simply put, yes – this person definitely needs assistance. Fortunately, they have a good group of people around them, and you can likely figure out who they turn to for help.
While viewers are eager to find out what happens to Colter, here are some other characters who weren’t so lucky when their shows took unexpected turns…
Jenna Lyons has confirmed she won’t be participating in the next season of The Real Housewives of New York City.
The rumors are true,” former J. Crew Creative Director Jenna Lyons posted on Instagram on November 21st. She explained that she was asked to join season 16 of RHONY as a “friend of,” and they agreed this was a good fit since she wasn’t comfortable sharing much of her personal life on camera.
The fashion icon, who started on the Bravo show in 2022 for its fourteenth season, realized she didn’t want to be just a supporting player.
After careful consideration, I’ve decided not to rejoin the show,” she explained. “I’d be the oldest and only openly gay woman on the cast, and I think it’s a good time to allow for some fresh perspectives and a new energy to come in.
In 2025, Mehcad Brooks surprised viewers by announcing his departure from the NBC crime series before its 25th season.
Brooks, who joined the show in 2022, portrayed Detective Jalen Shaw for three seasons.
After nine seasons, the A-list realtor is done selling mega-mansions on the Netflix reality show.
In November, Chrishell shared on social media that she no longer needs the show for income. She explained that she’s fortunate to have other jobs and that continuing with the show was negatively affecting her mental well-being.
Jax Taylor has confirmed he won’t be participating in season three of The Valley. This decision comes after viewers expressed concerns about his actions during the show’s second season.
In July 2025, the Bravo star, who is going through a difficult divorce from Brittany Cartwright, explained that his priorities are getting sober, improving his mental health, and being a good coparent. He feels this time is essential for his personal growth, particularly so he can be the best father to their son, Cruz.
Several cast members from Saturday Night Live recently announced they won’t be back for the show’s 51st season, with the news coming within a short period of time for each of them.
Longfellow and Walker each spent three seasons on SNL while Wakim exited after just one season.
Following the departures of Longfellow, Walker, and Wakim from Saturday Night Live, Gardner and Nwodim, both popular cast members, also announced they wouldn’t be back for the show’s 51st season. Gardner had been with the show for eight seasons, and Nwodim for seven.
Sofia Mattsson finished her role on the long-running soap opera in the summer of 2025 after seven years as Sasha Gilmore. Her character moved to Paris as part of the storyline.
Tracy Ifeachor, who starred in the popular HBO Max series The Pitt, decided not to return after its successful first season.
The actress shared on Instagram on July 10th how honored she was to play Dr. Heather Collins in what she called a truly innovative season of the show. She also expressed gratitude to viewers for watching, supporting season one, and sharing their personal experiences with her.
Even though fans likely expected Joel Miller, played by Pedro Pascal, to die – his fate in April 2025 mirrored the events of The Last of Us Part II, the video game the second season of The Last of Us is based on – the shocking and violent way his character died still came as a surprise.
Pascal, known for dying in roles on shows like Game of Thrones and Buffy the Vampire Slayer, wasn’t surprised by his character’s fate. He jokingly told Entertainment Weekly, “I get killed a lot. I actually enjoy it!”
Okay, so it killed me, but Peter Krause finished his run as Bobby Nash on 9-1-1 in April 2025. He called it “one wild adventure,” which, honestly, it was for all of us watching! It was so sad to see him go, but he officially hung up his fire department captain’s hat after that episode. I’m still not over it!
According to a statement to the Hollywood Reporter, the character Bobby Nash was intentionally created to make a powerful sacrifice, reflecting the bravery of real-life first responders. Creator Dick Wolf explained that the storyline was designed to honor those who risk their lives to save others.
The decision to kill off a fan-favorite, though troubled, firefighter was definitely controversial, showrunner Tim Minear told Variety. He explained that after eight seasons, it was necessary for the show to have real consequences and create compelling future storylines, and that meant someone needed to die.
Summer just got a little less fun.
In June 2025, Paige DeSorbo revealed she was leaving the Bravo series after being on the show for seven seasons.
Okay, so, this is really hard to write, but… after seven amazing summers, I’m saying goodbye to everything. Seriously, you guys have watched me basically grow up! I’m so unbelievably grateful for all the fun, the incredible community we’ve built, and all the amazing things that happened because of the podcast. But, you know, everything has to end eventually – even the really good stuff (and maybe some things I probably shouldn’t have done, haha!). It’s just time to close this chapter and move on. It doesn’t feel real, honestly.
The popular Netflix show won’t have the French actress in its fifth season, which is set to release in April 2025.
I was so surprised to see Lily Collins announce she’s leaving Emily in Paris! She shared the news on Instagram with some lovely photos of her and the cast, and she said it’s been an amazing experience for her – full of growth, creativity, and memories she’ll never forget. It’s sad to see her go, but I’m excited to see what she does next!
Before the third season of The Sex Lives of College Girls begins, Reneé Rapp has announced she’s leaving the show.
She shared on social media in July 2023 that the show College Girls brought her to Los Angeles and helped her meet some of her closest friends. She added that, after two and a half years, it’s also given her a wonderful community of fans like you.
Mindy Kaling, one of the show’s creators, also confirmed that Renee Rapp was leaving. She shared on Instagram that they were sad to see Leighton Murray go, but excited to support Rapp’s successful music career and upcoming tour. Kaling expressed a lot of love for Rapp.
As a huge fan of the show, it was tough to hear, but it’s now confirmed: Kevin Costner won’t be back for the final season. For over a year, there were whispers about him leaving after four and a half seasons, and in June 2024, he officially confirmed those rumors. It’s sad to see him go, but at least we know for sure now.
In February 2023, Ellen Pompeo finished her run as Meredith Grey on the ABC drama after playing the role for 19 years.
Pompeo explained on The Drew Barrymore Show in December 2022 that she needed a change. Despite already returning for a guest spot in May and continuing to narrate the show, she felt it was time to try something new. ‘I’m 53, and my brain feels a little scattered,’ she said. ‘I can’t just do the same thing, like The New York Times crossword, every day.’
But she’s not gone for good. Pompeo still pops in and out of Grey Sloan Memorial Hospital.
Henry Cavill, known for playing Superman and Batman, has announced he’s leaving the Netflix series The Witcher after season three. Liam Hemsworth will take over the role of Geralt, starting with season four and likely continuing in future seasons.
In an October 2022 Instagram post, Henry Cavill announced that his time playing Geralt of Rivia was coming to an end. He said he would be stepping down from the role for Season 4, putting away his Witcher medallion and swords.
Jesse Lee Soffer, an original cast member, left the show in 2022 after playing Detective Jay Halstead for ten seasons.
Everyone involved with the show has put a lot of passion and dedication into making each week’s episode, and I’m incredibly proud of my time playing Detective Jay Halstead,” said Soffer after his last episode aired on October 5th.
After five seasons, Damian Lewis departed Showtime’s Billions in Oct. 2021.
In August 2021, Emily VanCamp left the TV show The Resident on Fox, marking the end of her role as a doctor on the series.
Madeleine Mantock, who played Macy on the CW’s Charmed reboot, decided to leave the show after three seasons. She announced her departure in 2021, calling the role a great opportunity and expressing her appreciation for the show’s producers, writers, cast, and crew. She said she had a wonderful time working with everyone.
Elizabeth Keen will never learn the truth about Raymond Reddington. Actress Megan Boone decided to leave The Blacklist after eight seasons, and her character was killed off before she could read a letter containing the big reveal. Boone described her time on the show as “a dream” in a 2021 Instagram post, marking the end of her character’s story.
The second season of Bridgerton didn’t include Rege-Jean Page, who became a fan favorite in the first season of the popular Netflix drama. Fans were disappointed when it was announced he wouldn’t be returning in 2021.
He told Vanity Fair that he simply took on a job, completed it, and then did a few more. “That’s all there is to it,” he said. “I wish there was a more exciting story behind it.”
Oh my gosh, Ruby Rose as Batwoman! I was SO excited when she first appeared in that Arrowverse crossover back in 2018, and then to actually get a whole show with her as Kate Kane? Amazing! It was such a huge deal – finally, a lesbian superhero leading her own series, and Kate coming out on TV was just…iconic. I was completely obsessed! But then, sadly, she announced she was leaving just two days after the first season ended in 2020, which was devastating. Thankfully, they recast the role with Javicia Leslie as Ryan Wilder, and she’s totally taken over the Batcave in season two. It’s different, but I’m trying to be supportive!
Later on in season two, Kate got a bit of a face swap and returned played by Wallis Day.
America Ferrera left the show Superstore after its fifth season in 2020, which meant Cloud 9 lost its manager and the series lost a central character. Although she appeared in the first couple of episodes of season six due to pandemic-related delays, when season six became the show’s last, she came back for the finale to give her character, Amy, and Jonah (Ben Feldman) a satisfying conclusion.
In the final episode of season four of the Syfy show The Magicians, Jason Ralph’s character, Quentin, successfully rescued Eliot, played by Hale Appleman, but died in the process. Although the show often deals with death—it is called The Magicians—Ralph did not reprise his role in the fifth and final season.
Ahead of the final season, Arrow‘s Emily Bett Rickards announced her exit in a poem of sorts.
My friend Felicity and I are incredibly close, we’re practically inseparable. But sadly, after episodes one through seven, we’ll be leaving the show – it’s goodbye from us after that!
She did, however, return for a guest appearance in the show’s 2020 series finale.
Lauren Cohan initially left The Walking Dead in 2018 after difficult contract talks. While she appeared in a few episodes of season nine, her character, Maggie Greene, disappeared after a time jump of six years. The show’s producers wanted her to come back, and when her new series, Whiskey Cavalier, on ABC was canceled, she did. Cohan returned to The Walking Dead in October 2020, appearing in the 16th episode of season ten.
Following Cohan and Andrew Lincoln’s departures from the show, Danai Gurira also left. She first appeared as the skilled swordswoman Michonne in season three and her final episode aired in March 2020, marking the end of her run on the AMC series.
Nicollette Sheridan played the famous Alexis Carrington in the first and second seasons of the show. In 2019, before the third season, she decided to leave the CW reboot to care for her mother, who was unwell.
George Eads left the CBS show in 2019, during its third season. He stated he wanted to focus on spending more time with his family.
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2025-12-15 22:20