John Reardon didn’t think he would ever return to “Hudson & Rex,” the Newfoundland K-9 cop show. But now he’s at the centre of one of the most unexpected comebacks in Canadian TV history.
“I feel incredibly grateful to the fans,” the 51-year-old actor told the Star.
“I never realized how many people around the world watched the show, how many people watch with their families, with their pets.”
Reardon had played Det. Charlie Hudson since the show’s debut in 2019, but a tonsil cancer diagnosis forced him to take a leave partway through Season 7. His character appeared mostly in voice-overs before it was revealed in the season finale that Charlie was missing and presumed dead.
Once Reardon underwent treatment, and his doctors cleared him to return to work, he learned producers had chosen to replace him for Season 8. Actor Luke Roberts joined the cast as Det. Mark Hudson, a new character who shares Charlie’s surname but has no relation to him.
It was not the outcome Reardon hoped, he later told fans in a Facebook post that ignited a controversy. Production company Shaftesbury said at the time that the two parties “could not find a workable pathway forward for his return,” which led to Reardon’s replacement. Fans responded swiftly, boycotting the eighth season and leaving negative reviews online — with one buying a full-page ad in the Star demanding answers. Eventually, producers rehired Reardon.
“Hudson & Rex” has been plagued by behind-the-scenes drama. A Star investigation earlier this year found that four dogs connected to the show were suspected of being poisoned amid a personal dispute between two production staff members. Among them was former star Diesel vom Burgimwald, the German shepherd who originated the role of Rex, who recovered but later died from unrelated causes.
Now that “Hudson & Rex” has returned for its ninth season, there are two Hudsons in the picture, creating a new onscreen dynamic with Rex, who is now played by Diesel’s nephew Dillon.
Reardon reflected on the big changes from St. John’s, N.L., where he’s wrapping production on the latest season.
It’s been a pretty extraordinary sequence of events over the past couple years.
Yeah, it feels great to be back, and to be back in St. John’s. It’s pretty special.
When did you find out you would be coming back?
It started with some really good conversations with production, discussions of what everyone had in mind for the direction of the show. To be honest, it was pretty easy after that. I was really excited to step into (my character) Charlie and see everybody. And I think we found a great pathway.
Did production come to you? Give me a sense of how that played out.
(Reardon’s personal publicist cuts into the conversation: “I’m sorry to interrupt. We’d love to just move forward to questions about the show — and not really talk about any of the health or the past — would be great. Thanks so much.”)
We can’t talk about how you got back to the show?
Well, I can say that, um. What I can say is that … I think it’s probably best that we just —
(Publicist: “Yeah, I think he’s answered that. He’s excited to be back. And if we could just move onto the next question.”)
I think I can just say that, you know, I’m really more just focused on the direction that we’re going than sort of where we’ve been.
Can you talk about what you wanted to see happen with the return of your character?
Yes. I’ve spent a lot of time with Charlie. We’ve done over 100 episodes in the show. Every season you come back, you want to explore new territory. That was certainly something we discussed. And it’s unique this year because Charlie’s coming back after having been gone. And when he returns, he needs to find his place again. So that creates a new dynamic.
And now there are two Hudsons. What’s that like?
I’m a firm believer that our show is about teamwork, so having new people is only a strength. Luke is a great guy. I think it creates an interesting dynamic for the show, and gives us lots of stuff to play.
Did you watch Season 8?
Of course. It’s great, even if I’m not in it.
What did it feel like returning to the set for the first time?
It was surprisingly easy. I’ve had such strong friendships with all the people that I work with, and the animals. Everyone welcomed me back with such support.
At least part of your return seems to have been driven by the strong fan reaction. Were you surprised?
I was. I always received messages from fans talking about the show, but over the last year I’ve had so many thoughtful messages speaking about how much the show has meant to them. I don’t think I ever would have realized that otherwise. It was an incredible gift. Part of my excitement in coming back is to bring new episodes for them.
Does playing Charlie feel different now?
It does a little bit. The show has evolved just like life evolves. Every year, when we discuss the next season, you want to have an evolution. We’re always trying to find new ways to tell the stories. But this year, we’re finding new places for all the characters. And that’s interesting, especially to all of us who have felt a similar dynamic for so many seasons.
Did Diesel die after you left the show in Season 7? Were you coming back to new dogs?
It’s not really my place to speak on, I don’t think. Obviously, Dillon’s younger. But I worked for two years with Dillon when he was a pup, learning some of the techniques and skills. I’m familiar with all the dogs; I’d just never worked with them quite as closely as I had with Diesel. I still think about him a lot. He’s such a huge part of the show. Most of the dogs are his nephews and cousins. They’re carrying on the spirit of what he started.
Can you tell me what that’s like working with new dogs?
A big part of filming is developing a bond with Dillon now. When we’re filming, a lot of the time we use spontaneous reactions, and if you have that bond already in place then that reads on camera. We spend a lot of time getting to know the dogs, and having them feel comfortable in our presence. That often involves feeding them cubes of steak. I carry a bag of meat around with me pretty much at all times.
These new dynamics set up a possibility that there could be a couple more seasons of the show.
Anything that’s going to keep us in Newfoundland making new shows is great, so I sure hope so. Ultimately, if the fans enjoy what we’re putting out as much as we enjoy making the show, hopefully we’ll be filming for a long time. I think we have lots of stories left to tell.
I want to see a feature film.
Yeah — in an exotic location.
“Hudson & Rex Go Hawaii” or something like that.
I’m sure Rex would like Italian food.
This interview has been condensed and edited for clarity.
