Tracker has become one of the most popular action dramas on television right now. In its second season and already renewed for a third, Justin Hartley stars as Colter Shaw, a fearless survivalist who lives on the go in his Airstream trailer and takes on unique missing persons cases. Using his incredible tracking and fighting skills, he works to find missing persons in exchange for reward money.

He doesn’t accomplish this alone, however. While he’s typically alone in the field, there are several people who work behind the scenes to assist him. But fans may have noticed one character missing in Season 2.

Who Was Robin Weigert’s Character in ‘Tracker’

Colter is a lone wolf, though he will sometimes team up with local law enforcement, his brother, or others who come his way while working a case. But he needs people in the background working with him in order to do his job. Working exclusively in the office are Velma (Abby McEnany) and Teddi (Robin Weigert), Colter’s handlers. They search the web and find the cases Colter can work on, seeking out ones that are nearby his location and that offer a generous reward fee. They also find cases that touch close to the heart, and ones where a friend or family member is torn apart looking for their loved one but hitting brick walls with police. During an investigation, they also conduct background research to assist, so they’re basically on call whenever he needs them.

However, in Season 2, Teddi was noticeably absent. The fact that she’s gone was never explicitly addressed. Instead, the story switched to explore Velma’s budding friendship with Reenie. Having left her job at the law firm to start her own practice, Reenie has set up a shared office space with Velma, so they work together. Sometimes, this includes working on Colter’s cases. But mostly, Reenie is doing her own thing.

No clear explanation was given for Weigert’s absence aside from in the first episode of Season 2, where Velma says Teddi is traveling out of town, helping her mother. Velma was with her but decided to come home because she felt like she was only getting in the way.

Showrunner Elwood Reid did, however, later confirm to Entertainment Weekly that Teddi and Velma have separated, noting that “Velma is struggling with what it means to be abandoned in some ways, and she’ll work her way through that emotion.” The break-up is never discussed in the show itself. It could be that no one intentionally talks about it since Velma is still dealing with the breakdown of her relationship and the grief it has caused her. She is throwing herself into her work instead to help take her mind off things. It’s unclear if it will ever be addressed.

Why Did Robin Weigert Leave the Show?

The reason behind Weigert’s departure from the show is a mystery. While outlets like TVLine reported that she would not be returning, there was no reason given for that decision.

There are a variety of reasons fans can infer. The character had a very small role, only appearing sparingly in each episode when Colter makes a call to the team to get his next case. Occasionally, he’ll call in for additional information. She and Velma were usually seen milling about the house taking care of chores, gardening, playing with their dog, or relaxing. But they would always spring into action on the computer as needed. It’s easy to guess that it wasn’t a fulfilling role for Weigert. The decision could also come down to things like contract negotiations, scheduling conflicts, creative differences, or perhaps she wanted to keep her schedule open in case a bigger role came along.

It appears that Weigert doesn’t have any major upcoming roles, though she did have a main role in the Hulu historical drama miniseries We Were the Lucky Ones. It’s possible scheduling conflicts did not allow her to film both series at the same time. As a miniseries, there’s no indication that We Were the Lucky Ones would have had a second season, so anticipation of that can’t be the reason either.

However, considering Weigert had such a high-profile role in that series, playing family matriarch and seamstress Nechuma Kurc, it’s possible the actor didn’t want to be tied to this series, which is likely to have multiple seasons, with such a small role that could prevent her from taking other gigs. However, all fans can do is guess, because no official reason for the departure has been given by Weigert nor Tracker’s producers.

How Her Departure Impacts the Show

Teddi’s departure may actually have a positive impact on the show. It allows Velma to shine more and provides another way for Reenie to interact with the team, since she’s sharing an office with Velma and a growing friendship that will likely play a larger role going forward.

Rene told Screen Rant that she feels the team has gotten “stronger and closer. Robin Weigert is an absolute star, and I love her personally and professionally, but I think it really gave an opportunity for the Reenie, Velma, and Bobby characters to come together, as opposed to the Velma and Teddi characters to be so separate from the other two…we’re developing something and turning it until a little family supporting our boy.”

Of course, since Teddi is still alive on the show, the opportunity is there for her to return, should this be in the cards. But considering it seems as though Reigert left of her own choice, the story shifting to accommodate her absence, it’s unlikely she’ll be seen again unless it’s a special appearance in a single episode. Nonetheless, exploring Velma and Reenie as a new supporting dynamic duo on the series could allow for interesting dynamics and give both characters more depth.

“Both of these women, as they go through some stuff in their lives, are going to be able to lean on each other and get on each other’s nerves,” Reid told Entertainment Weekly. Sadly, with Teddi in the mix, she and Velma were in their own little bubble. Now, Velma gets to spread her wings, and Reenie has a new sounding board who understands her frustrations with Colter like no one else.