Tracker Boss Explains Velma And Bobby's Exits, Teases Randy's Expanded Role In Season 3

Bobby Exley and Velma Bruin are gone but not forgotten when Tracker returns for Season 3.

As TVLine exclusively reported in July, neither Eric Graise nor Abby McEnany will return when the hit CBS drama resumes Sunday, Oct. 19 (at 8/7c) — but rest assured: their absences "both get explained," showrunner Elwood Reid tells TVLine.

"With Velma's character, she's going off to be with Teddy," her estranged wife (played in Season 1 by Robin Weigert). As for Bobby, "he seized on a good opportunity. That doesn't mean these people can't come back, but we wanted to consolidate and build out Reenie's office a bit more."

In their absence, Chris Lee — who quickly became a fan favorite after he was introduced midway through Season 2 as Bobby's cousin Randy — will continue to recur.

"Bobby felt very nestled into his place, whereas Randy's been casting about," Reid says. "Without giving too much away, in the wake of [what happened with] Reenie — having had that breach at her company with Sharp, her being kidnapped and taken, and her boyfriend being shot — she's in a fragile, somewhat dark place, although she's trying to mask it. One of the things that she does is she brings Randy out to get her security up to snuff. That sparks a conversation about him perhaps sticking around and working out of her office — both with Colter and helping her with her law practice.

"Having Chris Lee in the same space that Fiona Rene is in just gets you [more]. The stuff we've seen so far is so much fun. It has made a huge difference. Now, when Colter calls, it feels like he's calling into something already in motion. This is all part of my 'evil plan' to use Fiona more — the more you can build out her world, the more the show benefits."

Reid adds that another familiar character will also turn up at Reenie's office later this season — potentially ex-cop Keaton, who assisted Colter on the Gina Picket case. In the meantime, though, he wants to make one thing abundantly clear about Lee's expanded role: "We didn't 'replace' Velma or Bobby. It's about where I get the most creative juice. What happened with Randy last year was that he popped in these little pieces with Fiona, and I thought, 'He makes Fiona better. What if they were in the same space every week?' And now, with more characters in the office, we can tell other stories and build out what her world looks like when she's not helping Colter."

Does Randy's return make up for Velma and Bobby's absence — or will you still miss the OGs? Sound off in Comments!