Hudson & Rex welcomes actor John Reardon back

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Hudson & Rex finally has its original Hudson back. Actor John Reardon recently returned to play Det. Charlie Hudson in the Canadian crime drama after Luke Roberts took over as Det. Mark Hudson in season 8.

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Reardon, who’s from Halifax, headlined the series for its first seven seasons but was diagnosed with tonsil cancer partway through season 7 and received treatment. In a social media post last year, he said doctors had approved his to return to work, but the Hudson & Rex team “chose to go in a different direction.”

Fans protested on social media, and here we are — Charlie’s back at the St. John’s Police Department after a storyline that took him to South America in search of his missing brother. Season 9 of Hudson & Rex premièred Oct. 5 on Citytv and streams on Citytv+.

Reardon spoke with Postmedia about his return and what comes next.

Q: First, how is your health?

A: Excellent, thanks for asking. I feel good and happy. Happy to be back at work.

Q: What was it like to return to the show?

A: It was very natural. We have a rhythm established over many seasons, and it was easy to slip back into that. We’re a show about relationships and about a team, and I felt a lot of support from the crew and from the cast and production.

Q: How was the reunion with Dillon vom Burgimwald (the dog who plays Rex)?

A: I’ve known Dillon since he was a pup, and when we met he gave me a big kiss. It was really lovely seeing him. Not to give too much away, but the audience will also see that for Charlie and Rex, and I think it’ll be a great moment in the show.

Q: What can you tell us about what happened to Charlie in South America and how he’s changed?

A: Well, he lost his brother, which is obviously traumatic. And he was alone for over a year before he came back. So he has had to deal with grief by himself. When he comes back, he remembers what it’s like to be embraced by a team, embraced by his partnership with Rex.

Thematically, our show has always been about collaboration, and it’s been about connection with people and animals. I think this year there’s an even greater appreciation of that. You see that a lot in Charlie, making him really appreciate what he has at home.

Q: So while you were away, did you expect the outcry from fans?

A: I didn’t. It was really quite beautiful. It meant a lot to me — how much the show means to them — and it felt important for me to come back when I had the opportunity to help tell more stories. But I was truly touched at all the messages that people sent me. I would just love to say thank you. It meant the world to me.

Q: In the first episode back, you share some scenes with Luke Roberts. How was that for you, playing that dynamic out on screen?

A: I really enjoyed working with Luke. He’s a lovely person, lovely actor, and I think it’s a great dynamic for the show. I always believe that our show is about collaboration, and the more people within the team and the more voices, the better.

Q: What does Charlie’s return mean for him and Sarah (Mayko Nguyen)?

A: That’s a big question, isn’t it? I don’t want to give too much away, but it’s going to be something that’ll evolve. I don’t think there’s anything about this season that’s just sliding back into the way things were — it’s an evolving world and new dynamics.

Charlie’s coming back with new experiences. The team has all these new experiences. Rex as well. And so we’re going to explore a lot of different territory. But ultimately, the heart of the show is the same, and it’s the connection between Rex and Charlie and the team, and that’ll be completely intact.

Q: Finally, do you have a dog yourself?

A: I don’t. But I grew up with many dogs, and there were a lot of German shepherds in my family. But right now, I have three young kids. And don’t tell Dillon, but we have a cat.

Q: Betrayal!

A: I feel very inclusive of all animals, and I’m sure Dillon will agree. My daughter loves cats, so we started with a cat. My two sons are excited for a dog, which they will be able to take on more responsibility for when they get a little bit older.

This interview has been edited for length and clarity.

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