Justin Hartley on 'Tracker's' Success, 'This Is Us' Lessons, and Comedy Roles

The "Slow Burn" Success of Tracker

• 🚀 Justin Hartley describes the success of "Tracker" as a "slow burn," a journey he finds gratifying and hopes to repeat.
• 💡 Building a show from inception to becoming number one on television has been a new and exciting project for him.
• 🎯 He emphasizes the importance of dedication, believing in the story, and having a clear "why now" for a project's potential success.

Executive Producing and Starring

• 🎭 Hartley explains that executive producing and starring in a show are like two full-time jobs, requiring reliance on a strong team and clear communication.
• 🧠 He highlights that while on camera, his focus is singular, and he trusts his team to manage other responsibilities.
• ⚙️ He likens the production of a show to a machine with many cogs, emphasizing the collaborative effort behind the scenes.

Lessons from "This Is Us"

• 🤝 Hartley learned the importance of culture from "This Is Us," starting with creator Dan Fogelman and extending to the entire cast and crew.
• ✨ He notes that the cast of "This Is Us," many of whom had experienced career ups and downs, recognized the special nature of the show and fostered a collaborative environment.
• 🌟 He has strived to instill a similar positive and resilient culture on the set of "Tracker," especially given the challenging filming conditions.

Career Trajectory and Stunts

• 🌱 Hartley reflects on his career as a gradual rise, starting with soap operas and guest roles, which allowed him to gradually adapt to success without being overwhelmed.
• 🤸 He enjoys performing his own stunts on "Tracker," seeing it as a way to give directors more creative freedom and achieve a purer form of the art.
• 🏋️ His training regimen focuses on variety and addressing weaknesses, understanding that consistent effort in difficult areas leads to improvement and injury prevention.

Future Roles and Comedy

• 😂 Hartley expresses a strong preference for comedy, stating that if it were up to him, he would do it exclusively.
• 🎭 He values the ability of comedy to make people laugh and brighten their day, considering comedians to be "saints."
• 🎬 He is excited about upcoming projects like "Bridehard" and expresses interest in future action comedies, buddy comedies, and potentially a sitcom.