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Justin Hartley‘s hit CBS series Tracker brought Cassady McClincy in a key role after going through multiple cast changes in season 3. The network found success with Tracker immediately after it premiered in February 2024 to record-breaking ratings. Viewers have since tuned in week after week to see fictional survivalist Colter (Hartley) travel the country to help solve various missing persons cases. As Colter has gotten help, the ensemble cast has grown with their respective characters, such as handlers Teddi (Robin Weigert) and Velma (Abby McEnany), hacker Bobby (Eric Graise) and attorney Reenie (Fiona Rene). After joining Tracker in season 1, Weigert’s character was written off in the premiere with her wife, Velma, admitting that they needed some distance. Velma then started working with Reenie, and Teddi wasn’t discussed again in season 2. News later broke that Graise and McEnany wouldn’t be coming back for season 3. In their place, Chris Lee’s Randy was brought back and McClincy joined in the role of Melanie “Mel” Day. “We didn’t ‘replace’ Velma or Bobby. It’s about where I get the most creative juice,” executive producer Elwood Reid told TVLine in September 2025. “What happened with Randy last year was that he popped in these little pieces with Fiona, and I thought, ‘He makes Fiona better. What if they were in the same space every week?’” He continued: “And now, with more characters in the office, we can tell other stories and build out what her world looks like when she’s not helping Colter.” Keep scrolling for everything to know about McClincy after her debut on CBS’ Tracker: What Projects Did Cassady McClincy Appear in Before ‘Tracker’? McClincy is known for playing Lydia on AMC’s The Walking Dead. She also appeared on Castle Rock and had a stint on Chicago Med. When Did Cassady McClincy Join ‘Tracker’? The Halloween-themed episode in season 3 showed Reenie interview several candidates to take over for Velma before landing on a student named Mel. The newcomer was a fan of Reenie’s career and expressed interest in her work with Colter. “I know that you got a lot of flack for leaving [your law firm] before making partner but I totally get it. I’m pretty averse to the bureaucratic machine, too,” Mel told Reenie. “And to be honest, I’m curious about the rewardist you work with, Colter Shaw. I know that the job description is for your legal work, but I just think that’s really cool. … I can handle whatever you throw at me.” How Does Mel’s Appearance Hint at a New Case for Justin Hartley’s Colter? During her debut episode, Mel revealed a cold case from her own life. “My mom [who was an Army logistics officer] died when I was 16. She was found in her car, shot in the parking lot of a rest stop, but they never found out who did it. So there were no answers, no justice,” she told Reenie. “I guess it just felt like the systems that were supposed to be there to support her were more interested in protecting themselves.” The details made some viewers speculate that Colter will help Mel track down what really happened to her mother. What Is Cassady McClincy’s Future on ‘Tracker’? McClincy is still credited as a guest star alongside Lee, who has remained on the show as Randy after joining in Graise’s absence.
