Manifest star Melissa Roxburgh lands new role (and new TV brother) in CBS hit Tracker
By Reed Gaudens
Manifesters, I know you miss watching Michaela and Ben Stone be the coolest and kick butt-iest brother and sister duo on TV, but they aren't coming back. However, one half of the Stone sibling duo will back on the small in another broadcast favorite, though with a new partner-in-crime sibling by their side. Melissa Roxburgh will play Justin Hartley's little sister in the CBS series Tracker.
The casting was revealed on Monday, April 15 by Justin Hartley on his Instagram page in connection with the official Tracker page, as reported by TV Line. Roxburgh will play Dory, the younger sister of Hartley's main character Colter Shaw, in the show's May 5 episode. Hartley said in the announcement, "Colter finally reunites with his little sister Dory in the coming weeks. Join me in welcoming the lovely and talented @mroxburgh to the @trackercbs family!"
As of the announcement of Roxburgh's Tracker casting as Dory, CBS didn't reveal additional information about the character or what brings about her reunion with her older brother, but the network later shared an episode synopsis for "Beyond the Campus Walls." Dory hadn't been mentioned in the present timeline, though Hartley earlier teased to TV Line that Colter's sister would be addressed in a "meaningful" way after the first half of season 1.
"When a grad student goes missing after a house party, his friends and family believe he buckled under the pressure of his research grant. But, after consulting with his sister Dr. Dory Shaw (Melissa Roxburgh)— a professor at the school — Colter discovers a trail of explicit photos and messages that lead him to uncover a dangerous (and deadly) conspiracy on campus."
- episode synopsis from CBS via TV Line
Surely, Melissa Roxburgh scoring her next TV role on one of the most popular dramas on right now will be exciting for Manifest fans. Since the end of the NBC-turned-Netflix original series in 2023, Roxburgh's only appearance on television has been in an episode of NBC's now-canceled series Quantum Leap last year. It's thrilling that she will play a key role in Tracker's main character's life, especially since CBS already renewed the show for season 2.
That's not to say that Roxburgh could, would, or will stick around on Tracker in a recurring or regular capacity. (CBS has made no indication on that front just yet.) We'll have to wait and see what the show has in store for Dory, but I know that Manifest fans like myself will be selfishly crossing our fingers that the talented star joins the show for more than one episode and we'll get to see her on our screens regularly once again.
Admittedly, it will be hard to adjust to seeing Roxburgh have a new on-screen brother. But if there was anyone to replace — no, not replace... succeed — the extremely handsome and talented Josh Dallas as her television big brother, we can't go wrong with Justin Hartley. The This Is Us star has also played Aquaman and the Green Arrow, but can either superhero really beat Prince Charming? Anyway, it's not a contest, but it is a very exciting time for Melissa Roxburgh fans!
According to TV Line, CBS will air Roxburgh's debut episode as Colter's sister Dory on Sunday, May 5 at 9/8c. Tracker will be airing episodes until its season 1 finale on May 19, so keep your eyes peeled on socials and promos for more information about her first appearance.
Tracker airs Sundays on CBS and streams on Paramount+. All four seasons of Manifest are available to stream on Netflix.