10 Best Justin Hartley Roles Before ‘Tracker’

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Many fans remember the hit NBC drama This Is Us as the breakout role for Justin Hartley, and while he was phenomenal as Kevin Pearson in the Emmy-winning series, the actor has actually been around for a while and has left an indelible mark on both movies and TV shows. He is currently donning the mantle of the enigmatic lone-wolf survivalist and tracker who serves as an assistant to law enforcement in several complex cases in Tracker, but Hartley has already created an impressive portfolio of roles that showcases his range as an actor.

Whether he was playing the charming plastic surgeon and romantic interest in Mistresses or taking villains down alongside the Man of Steel in Smallville, Justin Hartley consistently delivered performances that redefined his character. One of his most trusted and praised abilities is to seamlessly transition between genres and Hartley has done as incredible a job during the early days of soap operas as his more recent forays into the world of prestige television. But for those enjoying his star-making turn in the CBS show, here are 10 Justin Hartley movie and TV roles before Tracker.

10
Jesse Kinsella

‘Hart of Dixie’ (2011 – 2015) – Episode: “Bachelorettes & Bullets”

If you’re a sucker for small-town stories, quirky characters, and a healthy dose of romantic drama, then you will definitely enjoy Hart of Dixie. A dramedy created by Leila Gerstein, it follows New Yorker Dr. Zoe Hart, who fails to secure a fellowship in New York and accepts an offer from a stranger to take over his medical practice in Bluebell. It is a cultural clash of epic proportions as Zeo tries to adjust to her new life in Alabama while navigating complicated friendships and relationships.

Heart and Humor in a Small Town

As Zoe navigates her life in the quaint town of Bluebell, she interacts with various locals and experiences many heartwarming interactions. The character Jesse Kinsella, played by Justin Hartley, is a captivating and rugged romantic interest who appears in the final episode, quickly winning over fans. Despite his brief appearance, his impact on the series is significant. A surprising twist unfolds when Zoe learns that Jesse is actually the brother of one of Bluebell’s residents.

9
Mike Delaney

‘Cold Case’ (2007) – Episode: “Justice”

Set in Philadelphia, Pennsylvania, Cold Case follows Detective Lilly Rush, a homicide detective who specializes in cases that are no longer being pursued by the department. Each episode revolves around solving an unsolved crime by revisiting the past and peeling back layers of history until long-buried truths are revealed. It is led by Kathryn Morris and Danny Pino.

An Unforgettable Guest Star Role

Almost all the episodes of Cold Case feature a gritty and suspenseful atmosphere. Justin Hartley made a guest appearance in the series as Mike Delaney, a popular 22-year-old college valedictorian who was brutally murdered in 1982. After the investigation, it is revealed that his death was connected to several sexual assault victims on campus, who were all dismissed when they went looking for help. Even in a single-episode appearance, Hartley infuses his character with emotion, showcasing a softer side that stands out in an otherwise unsettling show.

8
Will Collins

‘Emily Owens M.D.’ (2012 – 2013)

Emily Owens M.D. is a show that captures the stress and anxiety of adulthood and mixes it with the freedom and awkwardness of high school – but in a hospital. The medical drama follows young doctor Emily Owens as she begins her residency at Denver Memorial Hospital only to realize that grown-up life is not very different from high school. Not only does she have to navigate social cliques and internal rivalries, but Emily also comes face to face with the ridiculously good-looking, unrequited crush from med school, Will Collins.

Hartley Is the Heartthrob

Mamie Gummer stars in the series as the titular Emily Owens and Justin Hartley plays Will Collins, her former crush. It’s all about Emily juggling medical cases and personal growth, but Hartley’s will adds a subtle charm to the show. He is Emily’s supportive best friend who roots for her the entire time, staying blissfully oblivious to her feelings for him. As Will, Hartley perfectly embodies a playful, easy-going personality. He shares a warm chemistry with Gummer and raises the emotional stakes in her journey.

7
Scott Trosman

‘Mistresses’ (2014 – 2016)

Based on Lowri Glain and S. J. Clarkson’s British series of the same name, Mistresses brings together drama, scandal, and messy relationships. It follows the lives of four women as they tackle love, betrayal, and friendship, against the glamorous backdrop of Los Angeles. In the middle of all the affairs and reinventions is Scott Trosman, a sweet and sincere plastic surgeon and romantic interest of Josslyn Carver, one of the main characters.

A Steady Character in Over-The-Top Drama

Mistresses redefines modern relationships but with a decent dose of drama. Josslyn and Scott’s characters bring a rare tone of stability and sincerity to the otherwise tangled web of chaos that the series is known for. He’s got his quirks, like being obsessed with shoes, but he’s one of the most likable characters in the show because he offers a sense of hope to Josslyn and is part of some relatable and emotional moments.

6
Patrick Osbourne

‘Revenge’ (2013 – 2014)

Revenge transports viewers to the Hamptons, where life is anything but peaceful. It tells the story of a young woman named Amanda who changes her identity to Emily Thorne, a wealthy socialite, and moves to the neighborhood with a plan to exact revenge on the families that wronged her father and sent him to jail. Determined, Emily is willing to use lies and manipulation and backstabbing to get what she wants, with the Graysons being her prime target.

Charming and Mysterious

Revenge is an addictive series about sweet, sweet vengeance, but it’s made better by performances of Emily VanCamp as the main character. Hartley stars as Patrick Osborne, a brooding and complex character who shakes the narrative up as Victoria Grayson’s long-lost son. He arrives into the picture with a mysterious backstory and quickly catches up to the tender and tumultuous dynamic that defines the Grayson family’s world. Revenge ran for four seasons and Hartley’s presence in Season 3 was nothing short of phenomenal.

5
Nicholas Foxworth ‘Fox’ Crane

‘Passions’ (2001 – 2006)

For those who grew up in the golden age of daytime television, Passions holds a special place in the hearts of millennials, who, as teenagers, would get home and tune in to the soap opera religiously back in the day. Wild and sometimes absurd, the series was set in a picturesque small New England town called Harmony and it follows the lives of four core families residing there.

Fan-Favorite Character in a Cult Hit

Among the family feuds and romantic entanglements, the Crane family stood out, and Justin Hartley’s Nicholas Foxworth “Fox” Crane was a compelling member. Fox is a charming, carefree, and handsome heir to the Crane fortune who often indulges in mischief. Throughout the series, his personal growth and battles for love drive the narrative and take viewers on an emotional journey. He originated the character and it was later played by Mark Cameron Wystrach.

4
Jake Turner

‘The Noel Diary’ (2022)

The Noel Diary is a feel-good holiday romance that follows the story of Jake Turner, a best-selling author who returns to his estranged mother’s for the first time in 20 years after she passes away to settle her estate. What begins as a bittersweet trip down memory lane transforms into a journey of healing when he meets Rachel, a young woman looking for answers about her birth mother.

Holiday Story With a Twist

With its cozy holiday setting and heartwarming narrative about self-discovery, this Netflix movie is a perfect mix of nostalgia and new beginnings. Justin Hartley is the romantic lead. He begins a quiet vulnerability to the role that makes him relatable. There are notes of grief and regret and Hartley also shares a beautiful chemistry with Barrett Ross, which turns each moment into one filled with tenderness. The Noel Diary is, thus, a holiday favorite.

3
Wesley Sneijder

‘Chuck’ (2011) – Episode: “Chuck Versus the Bearded Bandit”

Chuck is an underrated action comedy spy series starring Zachrey Levi in the lead role. He plays Chuck Bartowski, a computer service expert in his mid-twenties who is extremely intelligent but has no ambition in life. But his ordinary life takes an extraordinary turn when he accidentally downloads government secrets into his brain and the CIA and the NSA have no choice but to employ him for covert missions.

A True Highlight

With every episode feeling like a mini spy movie with a comedic twist, Chuck is nothing if not a rollercoaster of action, humor, and intrigue. Hartley, once again, guest stars in a single episode. He plays Wesley Sneijder, a young man who is kidnapped and held hostage in a guarded compound because his brother owes the kidnappers a great deal of money. In a brief period of time, he turns Wesley into a character you cannot help but root for, which makes an already engaging episode more fun.

2
Oliver Queen/Green Arrow

‘Smallville’ (2006 – 2011)

Justin Hartley has been a constant presence on The CW shows and Smallville is one of his more popular achievements. The series chronicles the journey of Clark Kent, the adopted son of Martha and Jonathan Kent, as he discovers his powers and becomes Superman. It finds Clark as a high school student navigating friendships, a complicated romance with Lana Lang, and a budding rivalry with Lex Luthor.

Breakout Role in a Beloved Franchise

For fans of the DC Comics universe, Smallville is an enormous ten-season-spanning treat. And while the series sparks new energy into the main character’s story, things only get more exciting when Harley’s Oliver Queen, aka Green Arrow, enters the picture. A playful, smooth-talking hero, he teams up with Clark to battle all sorts of villains and bring justice to his fictional hometown. But Oliver isn’t just a sidekick. In Hartley’s hands, the character is completely defined into one with subtle wit and innate profundity.

1
Kevin Pearson

‘This Is Us’ (2016 – 2022)

Few shows have made our hearts fill with joy and have us bawl our eyes out, like This Is Us, an emotional family drama that weaves the past and present lives of the Pearson family into a tightly-coiled and overly sentimental narrative. It features an ensemble cast including Milo Ventimiglia, Mandy Moore, Sterling K. Brown, Chrissy Metz, and Justin Hartley. Played to perfection by Hartley is the role of Kevin Pearson, the ambitious yet troubled son in the family.

Hartley’s Career-Defining Role

Kevin’s journey in the series is a mix of triumphs and losses. From his struggles with addiction and identity to his attempt at forging a meaningful relationship and building a family from the ground up, his storyline explores the impact of fame, grief, trauma, and family dynamics. He is as complex as he is relatable and Hartley brings a stunning level of authenticity to the role. Whether he is sharing heartbreaking moments with his on-screen family or going through a personal crisis, Hartley’s ability to portray Kevin with nuance won over fans and critics alike. The actor was nominated for a Critics Choice Award three times for This Is Us.

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2025-03-16 05:13