Justin Hartley is developing a new television series while continuing to lead his successful show Tracker, which is experiencing its own transformations.
Deadline has revealed that ABC is working on a TV adaptation of Isabella Maldonado’s novel A Forgotten Kill. Hartley, 49, is set to executive produce through his overall deal with 20th Television, while Diana Son will write and executive produce alongside fellow EPs Ken Olin and Maldonado.
A Forgotten Kill, published in 2024, follows ex–Army Ranger Dani Vega. According to the official synopsis, Dani is “a Nuyorican from the Lower East Side and a fearless FBI agent with a knack for breaking codes and spotting patterns.”
The plot continues with Dani joining a task force and partnering with NYPD Detective Mark Flint. Their differing styles enhance their crime-solving abilities and reveal an undeniable chemistry. However, Dani harbors a secret: a family tragedy from her past resurfaces, jeopardizing her career and life.
A Forgotten Kill is the second installment in Maldonado’s FBI Special Agent Daniela Vega Series, following A Killer’s Game and preceding A Killer’s Code.
Hartley will juggle work on A Forgotten Kill alongside CBS’ popular series Tracker. Inspired by Jeffery Deaver’s novel The Never Game, Tracker features Hartley’s character, Colter, as he traverses the country to locate missing individuals and solve enigmatic cases. After three seasons of filming in Vancouver, news emerged in May that Tracker secured $48 million from $129 million in qualified expenditures, prompting its relocation.
Tracker is 20th Television’s largest series to return to California, aided by a tax credit. Before this, 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.
Justin Hartley on ‘Tracker.’ Sergei Bachlakov/CBS
“I’m proud of what we accomplished in Vancouver. I’m also thrilled to bring Tracker to L.A.,” Hartley remarked in a statement at the time. “I look forward to continuing these stories in new, exciting locations. Most importantly, I thank the fans for their support. We couldn’t do this without you.”
TV shows can obtain an additional 5 percent tax credit bonus—on top of the 35 percent base credit—for qualified expenditures outside the 30-mile zone covering Greater Los Angeles and neighboring areas, according to Deadline.
Tax credits for relocation are awarded to shows for their significant economic impact, creating jobs for Los Angeles-based crews and boosting local businesses with returning production.
“Location plays a crucial role in the storytelling of Tracker,” showrunner Elwood Reid told Deadline. “We are grateful to Vancouver’s crew and people who made the first three seasons possible. We’re equally excited to launch the fourth season in Los Angeles, thanks to the tax incentive program that aids in bringing production back to California.”
Hartley recently addressed the changes.
“Regarding tone and character, I believe it won’t affect the show,” Hartley told The Wrap on Monday, May 25. “Our show is a road show. Our character travels across the United States, meeting people from different backgrounds and helping them. These strangers become like family.”
The actor expressed his enthusiasm about filming in Los Angeles.
“Filming in a new location offers diverse landscapes, enabling us to explore places like New York, D.C., the desert, Texas, and the beach,” Hartley noted. “It expands our world with landscapes that are a vital part of our show.”
Despite the transition, Hartley expressed appreciation for the show’s time in Canada.
“We created an excellent show in Vancouver for the first three years. As time passes, the show must evolve,” he added. “We aren’t interested in doing something just for the sake of it. We want to push boundaries and offer something fresh, and we’re excited about it. This change will be beneficial for both the show and the audience.”
