‘Hudson and Rex’ bringing back John Reardon after fan outrage

Actor last appeared in Season 7 of the hit series

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Published May 28, 2026  •  Last updated 3 hours ago  •  3 minute read

John Reardon and his German Shepherd co-star Diesel vom Burgimwald are shown in this undated handout image from the TV series "Hudson & Rex." Photo by Citytv

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After an outcry from Hudson and Rex fans, Citytv announced Thursday that John Reardon is returning to the series for its ninth season.

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Reardon’s Detective Charlie Hudson was the original lead on the cop-dog procedural, but he was replaced by Luke Roberts in Season 8.

After Citytv announced Reardon, 50, wasn’t returning, the Halifax native wrote in a social media post last fall that his departure wasn’t his choice, explaining that producers had decided to “go in a different direction” after he stepped away from filming to battle tonsil cancer.

“I’ve been quiet for a while — partly because it was hard to find the words, and partly because I didn’t want anyone else speaking for me. The truth is: I didn’t leave Hudson & Rex,” wrote Reardon, who shares three children with his wife, Sullivan’s Crossing actress Meghan Ory. 

“After taking a couple months to go through cancer treatment, I was given a clean bill of health and cleared and ready to return to work. But the team chose to go in a different direction,” he said.

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In his message, Reardon said exiting the series in that fashion was not how he “hoped the 7 year journey would end.” But he was thankful for the show’s legion of devoted fans.

John Reardon and Rex in a poster for Season 9 of ‘Hudson & Rex.’ Photo by Citytv

Reardon also honoured the show’s original dog, Diesel vom Burgimwald, the German Shepherd star of the series, who died in 2024.

“You truly had swagger buddy,” Reardon wrote.

Reardon ‘excited’ to return as Charlie

Fans of the show didn’t take kindly to the news of Reardon’s exit, flooding social media, the inboxes of entertainment writers (yours truly, included), and even taking out newspaper ads calling for the actor’s return.

In a statement released Thursday, Reardon said he’s “excited to step back into the role of Charlie as Hudson and Rex moves into its next chapter.”

“The series has earned a passionate audience around the world, and I’m grateful for the continued support,” Reardon said. “I’m looking forward to beginning production on the new season with the cast, crew, creative team, production, and network partners – and to sharing more adventures with Rex and the fans.”

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Shaftesbury, which produces the series, said they knew fans “missed him” and added they are “incredibly pleased” to welcome Reardon back.

“John is a talented actor and we’re incredibly pleased to have him return as Detective Charlie Hudson,” said Shaftesbury chairman and CEO Christina Jennings. “We know that fans missed him and so did we. We look forward to getting back to work and bringing fans an exciting new season.”

“Hudson and Rex has been a staple on the Citytv schedule for nearly a decade and we’re thrilled to bring it back for viewers with John returning as Charlie for another season of action-packed crime-solving drama,” added Kale Stockwell, Head of Original Programming for Rogers Sports & Media. 

Citytv says production for the new season’s 12 episodes is scheduled to begin next month in St. John’s, N.L.

“When viewers last saw Charlie Hudson, he was heading to South America in search of his missing brother, Jack,” Citytv teases in its description for Season 9.

“Next season will see Charlie shocking everyone with his return to St. John’s with one final task to accomplish before putting the Belize nightmare behind him. Charlie’s return creates a complicated dilemma for loyal Rex and sets off a chain reaction inside the St. John’s Police Department.”

Hudson and Rex Season 9 will premiere on Citytv this fall.

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Read More

1. 

   'Hudson and Rex' star John Reardon says show exit wasn't his choice

2. 

   'Hudson and Rex' dog Diesel vom Burgimwald dead at 8: 'A true star'

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