CBS’s action-packed drama series, Tracker, starring Justin Hartley as the compelling Colter Shaw, has quickly captured audiences. Fans are drawn into Colter’s world as he crisscrosses the United States solving mysteries and tracking down the missing. However, while the show portrays a diverse array of American locations, the reality behind the camera is quite different. Many viewers are curious about the real-life backdrop for this captivating series, leading to the burning question: where is Tracker filmed? The answer might surprise you, as the show’s primary production hub is nestled far north of the depicted US settings, offering a versatile and visually stunning alternative.
Primary Filming Location: Vancouver, British Columbia
While Tracker takes viewers on a journey through various fictional US locales each week, the bedrock of its production lies in the vibrant city of Vancouver, British Columbia, Canada. This strategic choice leverages Vancouver’s robust film industry infrastructure and its remarkable geographical diversity, allowing it to convincingly stand in for a wide range of American cities and landscapes.
Vancouver Film Studios: The Heart of Production
A significant portion of Tracker‘s filming occurs within the walls of the renowned Vancouver Film Studios. This expansive facility is a cornerstone of the North American film and television industry, having hosted countless blockbuster movies and popular TV series. Productions ranging from Deadpool and The Twilight Saga: New Moon to television hits like Arrow and Fire Country have utilized its state-of-the-art sound stages and production resources.
For Tracker, Vancouver Film Studios serves as a crucial base for scenes that are impractical or impossible to film on location. Interior sets, controlled environments for action sequences, and scenes requiring specific studio facilities are all expertly crafted within this studio complex. This allows the production team to maintain efficiency and creative control while bringing Colter Shaw’s world to life.
Greater Vancouver Area: Doubling as America
Vancouver’s appeal as a filming location extends far beyond its studio facilities. The Greater Vancouver Metropolitan Area boasts an exceptional variety of landscapes within close proximity. From bustling urban centers and charming suburban streets to rugged mountains, lush forests, and scenic coastlines, the region provides an astonishingly adaptable backdrop.
The production team behind Tracker skillfully exploits this versatility, utilizing different parts of Greater Vancouver to convincingly replicate various American cities and towns. For instance, when an episode required a Chicago setting, the streets of Vancouver’s Chinatown were transformed to mirror the Windy City’s unique atmosphere. This clever use of Vancouver’s diverse locales allows Tracker to maintain a sense of authenticity and visual dynamism, even while filming primarily in Canada.
Beyond Vancouver: Exploring Other Tracker Filming Locations
While Vancouver and its surrounding areas form the nucleus of Tracker‘s production, the series does venture to other locations within British Columbia to capture specific environments and enhance the narrative.
McAbee Fossil Beds: Setting the Scene in ‘Nevada’
The opening scene of Tracker‘s pilot episode, which immediately establishes Colter Shaw’s expertise as a survivalist, was filmed at the McAbee Fossil Beds, near Cache Creek, British Columbia. This location effectively doubled as the Black Rock Desert in Nevada. The arid, otherworldly landscape of McAbee Fossil Beds provided the perfect visual to introduce Colter’s skills in a challenging environment.
Tofino, Vancouver Island: The Dramatic Season Finale
Justin Hartley in Tracker season 1 finale, filmed on Chesterman Beach in Tofino, Vancouver Island
For the climactic season 1 finale, Tracker journeyed to the picturesque town of Tofino, situated on the west coast of Vancouver Island. Tofino’s stunning beaches and rugged coastline became the fictional coastal city of Sandy Point, Oregon, where the season’s storylines reached their dramatic conclusion. Locations such as Chesterman Beach provided a visually compelling setting for key scenes, including Colter’s meeting with Lizzy Hawking, played by Jennifer Morrison.
Conclusion
In conclusion, while Tracker portrays Colter Shaw’s adventures across America, the series is primarily filmed in the remarkably versatile province of British Columbia, Canada, with Vancouver serving as the central production hub. Vancouver Film Studios and the diverse landscapes of Greater Vancouver provide the foundation for the majority of the show’s scenes, adeptly standing in for various US locations. Furthermore, locations like McAbee Fossil Beds and Tofino showcase the production’s willingness to explore other regions of British Columbia to enhance specific storylines and visual requirements. This strategic filming approach allows Tracker to deliver a visually rich and geographically diverse viewing experience, all while benefiting from the exceptional resources and cinematic landscapes of British Columbia.
