Justin Hartley to Star as a Corrupt Detective in Dark New HBO Drama

In a bold career pivot that is already generating buzz across the entertainment industry, actor Justin Hartley has officially signed on to star in HBO’s upcoming limited series titled The Fall Line. Known for his roles in hit series like This Is Us and Tracker, Hartley will take on a radically different character—a morally conflicted detective caught in a downward spiral of corruption, guilt, and personal tragedy.

The Fall Line is a six-part crime thriller set in modern-day Atlanta, Georgia. Hartley plays Detective Jake Rowe, a decorated officer whose reputation is shattered after a botched raid leaves a civilian dead. In an effort to protect his team—and himself—Rowe fabricates evidence to cover up the truth. As internal affairs investigators begin circling and public outcry grows, Rowe is forced to confront the cracks in his moral compass while juggling pressures from his department, his family, and the media.

HBO describes the series as a “raw character study wrapped in a procedural shell,” a far cry from Hartley’s recent roles as charming leads or stoic action heroes. This series is poised to place him in the awards conversation as it delves deep into the psyche of a man walking the fine line between duty and self-destruction.

A Career Transformation for Hartley Post-‘Tracker’

After two seasons playing survivalist Colter Shaw in CBS’s action-adventure series Tracker, Hartley’s decision to join an HBO production marks a shift in both tone and trajectory. While Tracker showcased his physical prowess and lone-wolf charm, The Fall Line demands a more psychologically layered performance.

“It’s the darkest role I’ve ever taken on,” Hartley said in a recent interview with The Hollywood Reporter. “Jake Rowe is a guy who’s done a lot of good, but he’s also made decisions that haunt him. I was drawn to that duality—the inner war he fights every day. This is the kind of role every actor hopes to sink their teeth into.”