Following a wave of fan outrage, Citytv announced on Thursday that actor John Reardon is returning to the hit series Hudson and Rex for its ninth season. The decision comes after Reardon was replaced in Season 8, sparking a strong reaction from the show's dedicated audience.
Reardon's departure and fan response
Reardon, 50, originally played Detective Charlie Hudson, the lead in the police procedural featuring a German Shepherd partner. In Season 8, he was replaced by Luke Roberts. Last fall, Reardon took to social media to clarify that his exit was not voluntary, revealing that producers decided to "go in a different direction" after he took time off to undergo treatment for 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," Reardon wrote. He explained that after receiving a clean bill of health, he was ready to return, but the team chose to move on without him.
Fans of the show responded by flooding social media, contacting entertainment journalists, and even placing newspaper advertisements demanding Reardon's reinstatement. The campaign succeeded in bringing the actor back.
Reardon's return and production details
In a statement, Reardon expressed his excitement to reprise his role. "I'm excited to step back into the role of Charlie as Hudson and Rex moves into its next chapter," he said. "The series has earned a passionate audience around the world, and I'm grateful for the continued support."
Christina Jennings, chairman and CEO of Shaftesbury, the production company behind the series, welcomed Reardon back. "John is a talented actor and we're incredibly pleased to have him return as Detective Charlie Hudson. We know that fans missed him and so did we."
Kale Stockwell, Head of Original Programming for Rogers Sports & Media, added, "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."
Production for the new season, consisting of 12 episodes, is set to begin next month in St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. Citytv teased the storyline for Season 9: "When viewers last saw Charlie Hudson, he was heading to South America in search of his missing brother, Jack. 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."
Reardon also paid tribute to the original canine star, Diesel vom Burgimwald, who passed away in 2024. "You truly had swagger buddy," he wrote in a social media post.
Hudson and Rex Season 9 is scheduled to premiere on Citytv this fall.
