Justin Hartley is set to executive produce ABC’s TV adaptation of Isabella Maldonado’s novel A Forgotten Kill while continuing to star on CBS’ Tracker as the hit series transitions into a new chapter of production in Los Angeles.
Justin Hartley isn’t slowing down—he’s just juggling two very different kinds of momentum at once.
While he continues leading his hit series Tracker, the actor is in development on a new TV project. ABC is working on a TV adaptation of Isabella Maldonado’s novel A Forgotten Kill. with Hartley. 49. set to executive produce through his overall deal at 20th Television. Diana Son will write and executive produce the project alongside fellow executive producers Ken Olin and Maldonado.
A Forgotten Kill, released in 2024, follows ex–Army Ranger Dani Vega. The official synopsis describes Dani as “a Nuyorican from the Lower East Side and dauntless FBI agent whose specialty is breaking codes and detecting patterns.” As part of a task force. Dani is partnered with NYPD Detective Mark Flint. Their clashing styles give them an edge in solving crimes and expose an undeniable chemistry. but Dani is haunted by a secret: a family tragedy in her past that comes back to put her career and life at risk.
That development lands as Tracker itself goes through its own shift. The show—based on Jeffery Deaver’s novel The Never Game—follows survivalist Colter (Hartley) as he travels the country helping people and law enforcement tackle a variety of mysteries. After spending three seasons filming in Vancouver. Tracker has moved toward a Los Angeles production push following news that the series was awarded $48 million on $129 million in qualified expenditures. The update came in May, alongside the reason fans were never expecting: tax credits that bring production back to California.
Tracker is 20th Television’s biggest series to be brought back to California with the help of a tax credit. Deadline also notes that Prime Video’s Fallout moved from New York to Los Angeles, and Dan Fogelman’s upcoming NFL drama, The Land, received a $42.8 million tax credit.
TV shows can earn an additional 5 percent tax credit bonus—on top of the 35 percent base credit—for qualified expenditures incurred outside the 30-mile zone that covers the Greater Los Angeles area and surrounding communities. according to Deadline. Tax credits for relocation are being awarded for projected outsized economic effect. with jobs created for Los Angeles-based crews and local businesses boosted by returning production.
“Location is a huge part of the storytelling on Tracker,” showrunner Elwood Reid told Deadline. “We’re so grateful to the crew and people of Vancouver who made the first three seasons of this hit drama possible. and are simultaneously thrilled to be able to kick off the fourth season of Tracker by filming in Los Angeles. thanks to the tax incentive program that supports bringing production back to California.”.
For Hartley, the move isn’t just business—it’s a creative reset. In a statement at the time, he said: “I’m proud of what we built in Vancouver. I’m also very excited we’re bringing Tracker to L.A.” He added that he was “looking forward to continuing to tell these stories alongside the new. fresh places we’ll be heading to next. ” and said. “Most importantly. I want to thank the fans for showing up for us every step of the way. We couldn’t do this without you.”.
When Hartley recently broke his silence on the shakeup, he framed it with the show’s core identity in mind. “In terms of tone and character. I don’t think it’ll impact the show at all. ” he told The Wrap on Monday. May 25. “Our show is a road show. Our character goes from town to town across the United States of America and meets people from all different walks of life and helps them out. These strangers become kind of his family in a way.”.
He also sounded energized by what Los Angeles could unlock for the series’ visual world. “To be able to shoot in a different place that gives us different landscapes. we’re able to go to places — New York. D.C. the desert. Texas. the beach. ” Hartley noted. “It just opens up our world in terms of landscape, which is such a big character of our show.”.
Hartley was equally clear that the production shift doesn’t erase what came before. “We built a really great, wonderful show and we did it in Vancouver for the first three years,” he said. “Just, inevitably, as things go, the show has to evolve. We’re not really interested in doing something just for the sake of doing it. I want to push the envelope and I want it to be something different, so we’re excited about it. It’s going to be very good for the show and for the audience.”.
That same balance—continuity with room to change—is the through-line here. Tracker heads into its next phase in Los Angeles. while Hartley prepares to executive produce another FBI-centered story altogether through A Forgotten Kill. Together. the projects signal the same thing: with Hartley at the center. both his road-tested hit and his new coded mystery are headed for fresh terrain.
Justin Hartley Tracker ABC CBS A Forgotten Kill Isabella Maldonado Diana Son Ken Olin 20th Television Jeffery Deaver The Never Game Los Angeles production Vancouver tax credit
So is Tracker just moving to LA or are they canceling Vancouver completely? Seems like a tax credit thing either way.
I don’t get it, A Forgotten Kill sounds like a totally different vibe than survivalist Colter on Tracker. How’s he doing two shows at once without burning out?
Wait the article says $48 million on $129 million in “qualified expenditures”?? That’s basically them taking our tax money to make crime shows lol. Also I thought ABC was the one canceling stuff not funding it.
The “Forgotten Kill” title sounds like it’s about an unsolved murder from years ago? But then it’s about an FBI agent breaking codes? I’m confused already. Maybe it’s like The Never Game crossed with some spy stuff? Either way Justin Hartley has range.