Hudson & Rex Season 9 Will Air In The Fall – But Will Charlie Be Back? Good News…
It was all going so well. Hudson & Rex was seven seasons in, it had an international audience and enviable viewing figures. Then actor John Reardon needed medical leave and didn’t return.
This show has always been my idea of comfort TV. We have a handsome detective, a genius German Shepherd, gorgeous Newfoundland scenery, and just enough danger to keep things tense without ever getting grim.
We even got a little romance as the bond between Charlie and Sarah grew over the seasons.
So what happened?
In a nutshell, John Reardon was diagnosed with tonsil cancer, took time off for treatment, and subsequently revealed that he fully intended to return to Hudson & Rex after getting a clean bill of health.
But the production ultimately chose to “go in a different direction” and did not bring him back. In a statement to the press, production company Shaftesbury said that uncertainty about his timing and ability to return was the reason they moved ahead without him and that, by the time he was cleared, they couldn’t find a workable path back into the show.
Luke Roberts took over, and season 8 went ahead as planned. Exact viewing figures are not made public, but it does appear that the number of fans watching did dip, not enough to cancel the show, which is how we find ourselves here, awaiting Hudson & Rex season 9.
Charlie is Back for Season 9!!!
Yes, you read that correctly – Charlie Hudson (John Reardon) is BACK!!!!!
Not gonna lie, there was a little teaser when Citytv went and made the season 9 renewal official and confirmed that Hudson & Rex would be back, but with no details.
The network promoted the upcoming run on social media, with their Instagram post confirming that the cop‑and‑canine dream team would return in a fresh block of episodes rather than disappearing quietly into rerun limbo.
And then they only went and released a teeny weeny video with, you guessed it, John Reardon and eight little words: “Miss Me? Let’s get back to work partner”.
I don’t know who made this happen, but I’m guessing that the legion of dedicated fans, social media outrage and even petitions, had a very strong hand in making sure that John Reardon got back on set where he belongs.
The Story So Far
Hudson & Rex is based on the Austrian‑Italian series Kommissar Rex, but the Canadian version makes St. John’s, Newfoundland, its home and heart.
For the first seven seasons, the show follows Detective Charlie Hudson (John Reardon) of the SJPD Major Crimes Division and his K‑9 partner Rex, a highly trained German Shepherd whose first handler was killed in the line of duty.
Across seasons 1–7, the format is very much a “case of the week,” with Rex solving crimes through scent work, agility, and sheer stubborn intelligence, while Charlie provides the human detective work and emotional grounding.
The supporting team of medical examiner Dr. Sarah Truong, tech whiz Jesse Mills, and Superintendent Donovan adds a great dynamic as the show leans into puzzle‑like mysteries.
Season 7 is also where things start to shift. John Reardon appears on screen only in the first two episodes before stepping away for cancer treatment, continuing to contribute via voice‑over while he recovered.
By season 8, the show introduces Mark Hudson, Charlie’s brother, played by Luke Roberts, who steps in as the new human lead alongside Rex.
Did Ratings Take A Hit?
Public reporting on Canadian procedural ratings is patchy, but industry coverage and commentary agree that the backlash was significant enough to be felt.
TV columnist Bill Brioux, quoted in Canadian coverage of the controversy, noted that when a show is built almost entirely on a single human lead and a dog, recasting that human is inherently risky and alienates viewers who see that pairing as the show’s core identity.
I think, though, that fans were more annoyed by the manner in which Reardon was let go. To dismiss an actor after a cancer diagnosis simply because you’re not sure if he will be back on time for filming seems incredibly cold.
At the same time, the fact that Hudson & Rex has continued into a ninth season indicates that, while some viewers walked away in anger, enough of the audience stayed, or discovered the show on streaming, to keep it viable.
For cozy viewers, that means season 8 may feel different in tone and chemistry, but the overall formula of gentle, dog‑centered mysteries clearly still works for a substantial fanbase.
And now that John Reardon is back in action, I fully expect season 9 to have one of the biggest viewership figures, the show has ever had!
Where To Watch It
For viewers, Hudson & Rex has become increasingly easy to find. In Canada, earlier seasons have aired on Citytv and are available via local broadcasters and on‑demand platforms, while in territories like Australia, seasons 1–6 stream on SBS On Demand.
In the US and other markets, the show has turned up on services such as TV Guide‑linked streamers and platforms like Plex, which carry at least the early seasons.
In the UK, Hudson & Rex, Season 8 began airing on May 10th, 2026, on U&Alibi.
![Hudson & Rex: Season 1-5 [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51gDrE+dtZL._SL500_.jpg)
![Hudson & Rex: Season 6 [DVD]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51ORZNmDHZL._SL500_.jpg)
![Hudson & Rex: Season 1 [DVD] [2019]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51EGjYTuDiS._SL500_.jpg)
![Hudson & Rex: Season 2 [DVD] [2021]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51jI+xBvV2L._SL500_.jpg)
![Hudson & Rex: Season 3 [DVD] [2021]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/51zdPu8OxUL._SL500_.jpg)
![Hudson & Rex: Season 4 [DVD] [2022]](https://m.media-amazon.com/images/I/41I7CenWLYL._SL500_.jpg)
Hi – yes! We’re very excited to have John Reardon back. It’s about time. It seems as though the production company actually listened to the fans this time. 🙂
It was not only difficult losing John, but also beloved pup Diesel. His nephews have been great though. It was never established how Mark and Charlie were related, if at all. I don’t believe Mark was his brother. It seems like it was just a placeholder for the name Hudson, which was an insult from producers.
Here’s to another great run for the show!
Can’t wait for John to return. I love this show, currently bringing on up faith & family (second time through, lol)
I am so happy you listened to all of us fans. This my favorite. It is the only show I make sure I watch every night and day. . I even love the reruns. I would never watch the show again with the new actor. Now when season 9 starts I can watch it again. It’s just not the same with Charlie’s brother taking over. Nothing against Mark. We just loved Charlie and Rex! Thank you!
Can’t wait till John & Rex gets back to work!
I just saw the latest on Hudson and Rex today, awesome!! I can’t wait to see John back. It was disgraceful and reprehensible what the production staff did by terminating him while he was undergoing cancer treatment. That group should NEVER work in the tv industry again but they will but I sure hope they learned something by the overwhelming fan response to what a terrible thin they did to this wonderful actor. John, we love you take care of yourself and we can’t wait to see you back!!!!!!!!! Sorry your partner Rex is gone, that broke my heart but I am happy to see his nephews are filling the slot and hope they connect with the process in training. Take Care!
Amen to that .
Thank God, I love this show. There is nothing on tv these days and if a good show does come along, you can get it only on these new streaming channels. We already pay an arm and a leg for network tv and now you need more. This is what I watch on the weekends. On Saturday I watch “The Rookie all day and on Sunday it’s Hudson and Rex all day. I’m 80 years old and this may explain my choices on tv but us baby boomers are different than people today. You’ll probably I’m a crazy old lady but I’m not really. BUT THANK GOD FOR HUDSON AND REX. I’m not even going to bother watch season 8.
I was ready to quit watching the show but now thar John Reardon is coming back I am back also.
So excited that John is coming back love this love him & team together they work great I’ve been watching John long time huge hallmark fan too Thankyou for doing right by him & us
I won’t watch Season 8 either. John and Rex ARE Hudson and Rex. Letting him go when he had cancer is the lowest a production group can go. They should have written him out as Hudson leaving the town or country for cancer treatment and someone else covering for him in his job. I wouldn’t have wanted to to watch Season 8 even under those circumstances, but at least the Production Co would have acted in an ethical manner. Good job copying what CBS did to Blue Bloods. I don’t watch channel 2 any more.
I absolutely love this show, and was devastated when I heard John Reardon was being replaced……..Thank God, fans / viewers voices, and opinions were heard, and John is coming back………
Thank goodness bringing John back. Show not the same without him. I pretty much only watch faith and family and,hope to continue as long as Charlie and Rex are there. Bad move on production team and should be replaced no compassion anymore.
Best show on TV – love it
I found it so terrible that they cut John Readon when he was ill and refused to take him back when he recovered (Thank God) from his illness so I am thrilled that saner heads prevailed and he is going to be back. So looking forward to the new season.!
Hudson and Rex is my favorite show which I watch on the UP TV and Ovation TV channels in Cape Girardeau, Missouri. Thank you for bringing John Reardon back as Charlie. The show would not be as good without him.
As a viewer in the US, our “new” season is season 8. It’s ok but I won’t go out of my way to watch should something else I like be on in the same time slot. Am watching the first episode of the season now & it’s truly not the same without John Reardon. So….really looking forward to getting season 9! Wish we weren’t a season behind…
That being said, I am also looking forward to watching Blue Skies next week. Glad we will finally have access to that show as well.
Hi Marie, don’t worry, season 9 isn’t out yet, so you are all up to date with season 8. New episode will drop in the Fall but no exact date yet.
Hudson & Rex is a great show & I would have missed ‘Charlie’ because the chemistry within the whole group would have been ruined, but the way they were ‘dumping’ John had me dropping the show from my viewing list. The tone of their actions ruined their reputation. I’m hoping they bring the same personalities to next season. There’s so many good points & hopefully they’ve learned from this experience that the audience deserves to be listened to.
So glad John Reardon has recovered and will be back. The new Rex is ok, but doesn’t look or act the same. Wish they could find a closer match. Diesel was so cool.
I only stayed watching because I was waiting for John to return, if he hadn’t returned, I would not either. I’m so glad they did the right thing!!
I’m watching this show on free to air in Australia and we’ve just at the end of season 8. I watched Rex’s work in Austria and Italy too. I’ve enjoyed the setting as I’ve travelled in Newfoundland and recognise places around St John. My recollection was that the story about John not being in the show was that he had gone in search of his brother who was in South America or the Caribbean and had been involved in something dodgy and criminals were after him.
Angie
I am so happy that John will be back with Rex. I was so unhappy when they said John will not be back. I did not like thy other guy, nothing personal, nobody could take John’s place. Sorry you have been sick. Can’t wait to see season nine. I know Sara will be happy. When Diesel dead, I cried, there will never be another one like him. I think this Rex will do fine. I’m glad that the same actors are back, Love every one of them.
I found Hudson & Rex by accident couple months ago now getting caught up with previous episodes. waiting anxiously for season 9 and Charlie and Rex working together again!!!!!
So glad John is returning. We really missed him. The cast is so close Luke’s part really didn’t fit in. This is our favorite program and can hardly wait for the new season. We wish John the best of health. So looking forward to seeing John again. Hope the romance continues.Barbara