Hudson & Rex

Hudson & Rex: Behind-the-Kennel Chaos – The Real-World Drama Fans Can’t Stop Talking About

Think Hudson & Rex is just cozy Canadian comfort TV about a cop and his very good boy? Under that wholesome fur is a show tangled in recastings, cancer controversy, dog poisoning drama, mega-fan uprisings, and a romance ship fans treat like a religion. Let’s dig up the juiciest bones.

On-Set Shakeups & Casting Chaos

The Lead Who “Didn’t Leave”

For Season 8, fans tuned in expecting more Detective Charlie Hudson… and instead met a brand-new lead, British actor Luke Roberts as Detective Mark Hudson. John Reardon later made it very clear this was not his call, writing that he went through tonsil cancer treatment, was cleared to return, but “the team chose to go in a different direction” . Shaftesbury, the producer, claimed there was “uncertainty” around his ability to return and they had to protect “hundreds of people’s livelihoods” . Translation: corporate-speak versus hurt star—fans definitely picked a side.

The Recasting That Nearly Wrecked the Show

Season 8, the first without Reardon, became the flashpoint. A TV columnist openly wondered if the “Hudson switcheroo wrecked Hudson & Rex,” pointing out that when a show’s core is “really just two leads — and one’s a dog — the guy better be the same guy” ^[2]. Fans complained the series had “lost its identity” and ratings chatter online echoed that sentiment.

Luke Roberts: Loved by the Dogs, Dragged by the Fans

Behind the scenes, dog master and EP Sherri Davis was thrilled with Roberts, saying that when he arrived, “magic started happening almost immediately” and that season had “a lot more action” and partnership stunt work . She even joked, “He opens the door for the dog — and he hasn’t stepped on him once” ^[7]. But fans flooded Instagram and Facebook with comments like “Show isn't called Mark & Rex. It’s Hudson & Rex bring back Hudson!” ^[8]. Poor Luke passed the smell test with Rex—but not with the internet.

Scandals & Controversies (Yes, Including A Dog Poisoning Plot)

Diesel’s Death & the Quiet Swap

The original Rex, German Shepherd star Diesel vom Burgimwald, died during Season 7 from late-stage cancer, confirmed by trainer Sherri Davis . Long before viewers knew, his nephews Dillon and Dante had already started doubling for him. Fans later noticed the shift—and some felt blindsided when the beloved dog’s death finally became public.

The Alleged Poisoning of Rex & Friends

Then came the real-life crime-story twist: in October 2022, Diesel and three other dogs working on Hudson & Rex were suspected of being poisoned while filming in Newfoundland . Symptoms like laboured breathing and irregular limb movement sparked internal panic. An investigation couldn’t confirm poisoning, and no necropsy results were made public, but the fallout was dramatic:

• A former grip, James Harris, was accused inside the production orbit. He claimed the poisoning allegations were fabricated by an ex after a messy breakup ^[4].
• An investigation found no proof he harmed the dogs, but did conclude he violated workplace-violence and harassment policies with threats and misogynistic comments; he was fired for misconduct ^[4].
• Meanwhile, a tribute card on the show honouring Mary, a non-performing dog who lived with Diesel, was the only visible clue viewers ever saw ^[4].

Behind the sweet dog close-ups was a full-blown HR and legal nightmare.

Fan Revolt: The $25,000 Ad & A Global Uprising

The Superfan Who Went Full Media Mogul

When Reardon vanished from Season 8, one Texas fan, Elaine Byrne, didn’t just tweet mad—she went full Old Hollywood. She spent $25,000 on a full-page ad in The Toronto Star demanding answers from the producers ^[2]. She said Reardon and Rex’s bond had helped her after her husband’s death and vowed, “I will never watch that show again… I won’t support somebody who does that” ^[2]. That’s not a fandom, that’s a crusade.

International Outrage Tour

Fans from Portugal and Sweden told CBC they felt “betrayed,” “hurt,” and angry that a show about “love and loyalty” had, in their eyes, ditched its lead without respect ^[2]. Social media accounts for Hudson & Rex were flooded, petitions launched, and every official promo post became a comment-section war zone ^[1][2].

You Actually Can Yell a Show Back to Life

The fan vitriol worked. In 2026, producers quietly blinked: John Reardon was officially announced as returning for Season 9. Shaftesbury’s Christina Jennings admitted, “We know that fans missed him and so did we” ^[1]. Reardon graciously played it cool, saying he was “excited to step back into the role of Charlie” and to share “more adventures with Rex and the fans” . Make no mistake: this was a rare, textbook case of fandom forcing a studio U-turn.

Romance Rumors & Ship Wars: The Church of Charah

Charah: The Slow-Burn That Sparked a Cult

On-screen, Charlie Hudson and Sarah Truong’s relationship simmered for seasons, becoming a full-on ship called “Charah.” In interviews, John Reardon and Mayko Nguyen leaned into the idea of a “blooming relationship,” cheerfully acknowledging the fan obsession ^[5]. TikToks, fan edits, and Facebook groups dissect every look between them.

Real-Life Romance? Not So Fast

Fans speculate about off-screen chemistry, but the receipts say otherwise: Reardon is very publicly married to actress Meghan Ory, with three kids ^[10]. There’s no credible report of any off-screen affair—just lots of wishful thinking and “they look too comfortable together” fan theories.

Killing Charah (Temporarily) and Breaking Hearts

When Reardon was pushed out, fans didn’t just grieve the character—they mourned Charah. Online threads fumed that the show had “killed the relationship off” by not bringing him back . For a lot of viewers, no Charlie meant no show, period.

Wild Trivia & Behind-the-Scenes Nuggets

Action-Hero Hudson 2.0

Sherri Davis says Luke Roberts literally ripped off his jacket and sweater when asked if he’d try stunt work with the dogs, running and jumping off ramps while they barked in his face. “The dogs were kissing him. He passed all the tests,” she recalled ^[7]. Whatever fans think of Mark Hudson, the dogs are clearly Team Luke.

From Poison Plots to Comfort TV

Critics and academics have written about how central the dog’s literal labour is to the show—especially Diesel’s expressive eyes and physical work ^[4]. Knowing there were real investigations, alleged threats, and internal turmoil behind the canine team makes every cute Rex close-up feel a lot more… loaded.

If you thought Hudson & Rex was just cozy Canadian fluff, you’ve been watching the PG edit. Off-screen, it’s a saga of cancer, controversy, suspected poisoning, an international fan rebellion, and one of the most dramatic recasting backtracks in recent TV history. And with John Reardon back in the saddle for Season 9, you just know the next chapter—on and off screen—is going to be must-watch chaos.