| Runtime: | 48–53 minutes |
| Country: | South Africa United Kingdom Germany United States |
| Network: | M-Net Cinemax ZDF |
| Num Seasons: | 1 |
| Num Episodes: | 6 |
| List Episodes: |
|
| Genre: | Thriller Crime Drama |
| Company: | Three River Fiction Scene23 Imaginarium |
| Director: | Jyri Kähönen |
| Cinematography: | Ivan Strasburg |
| Executive Producer: | Jonathan Drake Jan du Plessis Wolfgang Feindt Nkateko Mabaso Steve Maher Benjamin McGrath Yolisa Pahle Doris Schrenner Allan Sperling Tim Theron Robert Thorogood Cobus van den Berg Anneke Villet Kaye Ann Williams |
| Producer: | Rebecca Fuller-Campbell |
| Editor: | Markus van Schalkwyk Melanie Jankes Golden Tanja Hagen Richard Starkey |
Trackers is an internationally co-produced crime thriller television series produced by Three River Fiction and Scene23.[1] It is an adaptation of Deon Meyer's 2011 novel of the same name,[2] and it was adapted for television by British showrunner Robert Thorogood, leading a team of South African writers.[1] It is the first co-production between South Africa pay-TV channel M-Net, German public broadcaster ZDF and American HBO's sister network Cinemax. Warner Bros. Worldwide Television Distribution also distributes the series on behalf of Home Box Office's "Home of HBO" exclusive package lineup worldwide, with the exception of MultiChoice and ZDF's territories of operations, respectively.[3]
Before the last episode aired, M-Net announced that Trackers was already their best-performing show of 2019.[4]
On April 17, 2020, it was announced that the series will premiere in the U.S. on June 5, 2020 on Cinemax amidst news that the network shall cease commissioning all original output but broadcasting all of its pre-commissioned programmes by the end of 2020.[5] On October 1, 2020, it was announced that the series will premiere in Germany on October 5, 2020 on ZDF as double bills for 3 consecutive weeks under the title Trackers - Rote Spur.[6]
Milla Strachan (Rolanda Marais)
A 40-year-old woman who finds the courage to leave her abusive husband, her resentful son and a life of luxury. She struggles to find work in a job market that has moved on. Her journalism degree secures her a research job as an analyst in a government agency.
Lemmer (James Gracie)
A former Special Forces member and ministerial bodyguard. Lemmer resides in Loxton (a small town in the Karoo) after a failed intelligence operation led to the termination of his employment. He focuses his time on fixing up an old house and resolving his anger issues.
Janina Mentz (Sandi Schultz)
The Presidential Bureau of Intelligence (PBI) Director who diligently protects South African citizens. She was active in the country's liberation struggle and is against corruption and anyone who undermines the country's independence. An operational mistake in her past now threatens the future of her bureau.
Quinn Makebe (Thapelo Mokoena)
As COO of the PBI, Quinn is vying for Janina's position while working closely as her second-in-command. Even though he's considered clever, educated and ambitious, Janina questions his intentions.[7]
Flea van Jaarsveld (Trix Vivier)
An expert wildlife tracker with a checkered past.[7] [8]
Diederick Brand (Deon Lotz)
A local businessman with criminal connections.
Barkatulla 'Baboo' Rayan (Kaseran Pillay)
A local man hosting the meeting in the Bo-Kaap between the local terrorist cell and Al-Qaeda.
Suleiman Daoud (Emmanuel Castis)
The Allajna (The Committee), a key representative and suspected Islamic terrorist wanted by the PBI.
Shaheed Osman (Brendon Daniels)
The local terrorist cell leader planning the attack along with Hamadei and Garba. He meets with Daoud as part of the plan to secure what is needed for their next target.
Hassan Hamadei (Stefan Erasmus)
A member of the terrorist cell along with Osman.
Abdullah Garba (Fabian Edeoye Lojede)
A member of the terrorist cell along with Osman.
Inkunzi Shabangu (Sisanda Henna)
A local criminal hired by Osman to hijack the truck transporting the black rhinos.
Lucas Becker (Ed Stoppard)
Becker is a CIA operative on a covert mission.
Ismail Daniels (Adrian Alper)
A PBI confidential informant, who first notifies Quinn Makebe about the planned terrorist plot.
The review aggregator website Rotten Tomatoes reported an 83% approval rating for the first season with an average rating of 6/10, based on 6 reviews.[9]