Meet the New Face of ‘Tracker’: Who is Mel and Where You’ve Seen Her Before

Mel, a new character in season 3 of “Tracker,” has immediately won over fans. Mel (Cassady McClincy Zhang) adds mystery to the storyline, making viewers curious about her involvement. While new to this series, McClincy Zhang is familiar to TV viewers.

Before joining “Tracker,” McClincy Zhang was known for playing Lydia on “The Walking Dead” seasons 9–11. In “Chicago Med,” she portrayed Ariel Sparkman, and in “Castle Rock,” she played Young Molly Strand. She also appeared in “Ozark” as Anna Sloan, “Daytime Divas” as Tandy Ainsley, and “Love, Simon” as Jackie. This diversity as an actress prepares her for her role in “Tracker.”

On “Tracker,” Mel becomes Reenie’s assistant. This November episode introduced an individual with a strong personal drive. Mel praised Justin Hartley’s professional “rewardist” Colter Shaw, who utilizes his tracking skills to help police enforcement and civilians, in her interview. Mel revealed that her mother was murdered and the case remains unresolved, which may explain her interest in Colter’s tactics. She implied that standard law enforcement failed her mother and suggested Colter’s alternative approach to justice.

Mel’s role in the series is limited, but viewers are immediately wondering what she wants. Fans say her character may have a hidden goal, linking her to Colter or his associates’ misfortunes. Others believe she may blame Colter for her mother’s death. Her ambiguous objectives provide suspense and mystery, suggesting her role may grow as the season goes.

This season, “Tracker” changed. After season 2, Velma and Bobby Exley left, streamlining the ensemble to focus on Colter as a lone wolf. The show’s executive producer, Elwood Reid, wants more dynamic and self-contained storytelling rather than over-reliance on recurring support characters.

CBS airs new episodes of “Tracker” every Sunday at 8:30 p.m. ET, and Paramount+ streams them the day following. Mel’s presence will likely be substantial and dramatic as the season progresses due to additional revelations about her and the story.

Sources:

CBS, Paramount,Executive producers of “Tracker” give interviews and press releases.

Film and cast biographies from verified entertainment databases