Major Cast Change Beloved K9 Show Hudson and Rex Loses 2 Key Members
Hudson and Rex had its premiere in 2019. It’s centered around the beloved canine star, an intelligent and perceptive German Shepherd dog named Rex, played by Diesel vom Burgimwald. Detective Charlie Hudson (John Reardon) and his “highly trained law enforcement animal” Rex solved hundreds of cases in the beautiful town of St. John’s in Newfoundland and Labrador, Canada. What Detective Hudson couldn’t completely solve, Rex absolutely could.
The Crime Procedural with a Canine Twist
So what makes Hudson and Rex a standout? Definitely the cute and fuzzy face of its canine star – sure – but also the stunning scenery, intriguing stories, and a little bit of comedy all played a part in attracting viewers. The show’s viewership reached an all-time high on Canadian City TV and is broadcast in over 100 different countries and territories.
The show features a close-knit team, including a brilliant forensic investigator, a sharp IT specialist, and a capable captain, all working together. Not only were crimes solved by the dynamic duo, but Rex had a paw in preventing others. Fun fact: a dog‘s sense of smell is around 10 million times greater than a human’s. This is due to the sensory receptors of their noses. Also, no two dogs’ noseprints are alike.
Fans would watch the partners solve cases that had to do with anything from wine forgery to arson. The duo investigated disappearances, mummified bodies, and even crimes having to do with tribal land rights. They easily navigated ruff terrain together. Between Hudson’s keen sense of observation and Rex‘s phenomenal nose, they doggedly pursued the evidence until the perp was caught. Sweet Rex was even a de facto comfort dog to countless crime victims and their families.
Remembering Rex from Hudson and Rex
In February 2025, Sherri Davis, the dog trainer and an executive producer for Hudson and Rex, broke the news that Diesel, Rex’s portrayer, had passed away. Diesel vom Burgimwald was only eight years old when he was heartbreakingly struck down with a particularly aggressive form of cancer. Davis noted that she observed a slight change in his behavior one day on the set. After a successful surgical procedure and several weeks of physical therapy, Diesel seemed to be doing better, but shortly thereafter, he passed away.
The role of Rex was taken over by Diesel’s relatives. His two nephews, Dillon and Dante, have been used as his doubles (as animal actors often have doubles). Dillon, the main portrayer, looks and acts a lot like Rex, so he easily was able to nose his way into the starring role. Dante and two other dogs, Izzy and Iko, continue to do the action sequences. Dreamer, the only female dog in the group, has also doubled for some scenes.
Hudson & Rex Face More Challenges
If that wasn’t enough tragic news in the Hudson and Rex world, the show’s human star, John Reardon, announced he had throat cancer in late 2024. Posting on social media, he gave fans a glimpse of what he had dealt with and thanked his family for being so incredibly supportive. In early 2025, it looked as though he was cleared to start taping the show’s eighth season.
With the exception of the first two episodes in season seven, Reardon was not visible on the show. He had some brief phone conversations with character Dr. Sarah Truong (Mayko Nguyen) throughout the season. The show gave Hudson a storyline of rescuing his wayward brother, who had gotten into trouble in Mexico. At the end of season seven, Sarah and her coworkers received the devastating news that Charlie was seen getting shot and falling into the water. What a cliffhanger!
Who is Mark on Hudson & Rex?
An investigator who traveled up to Canada to assist the St. John’s police on a case soon becomes an ally with Hudson’s work crew. Detective Mark, played by Luke Roberts (of Reign, Game of Thrones, and crime show Ransom), helped our treasured team on a case. He then said he would see what he found out about Detective Hudson‘s trip down to Mexico.
With still so many questions unanswered, Hudson and Rex viewers will now see a new detective helping to solve the Canadian coastal town’s cases. Luke Roberts has taken over the lead human role in the show. At this point, it‘s unclear how Mark started his detective work with St. John’s. Was he only passing through and decided to stay, or maybe the canine chemistry with Rex swayed him to take the job? Or is there some other theory at play?
Tracking a New Direction
One thing is for sure: with casting changes for both the two main stars, Hudson & Rex could be pawsibly facing an uphill battle. Shaftesbury and Pope, the show’s production company, has been very tight-lipped on details. It’s not surprising since it took over six months for the news of Diesel‘s death to be made public. One reason for that was to ensure the continuity of the show. Our hearts go out to the cast and crew. It’s very difficult to lose a beloved castmate, much less two.
So, what’s the deal with Detective Mark? Can Luke Roberts fill the shoes of John Reardon‘s Detective Charlie Hudson? Will the show’s name be changed? Is Mark another Hudson – perhaps Charlie‘s long-lost other brother? Cousin? Wouldn’t that be a twist! Or could Newfoundland and Labrador be full of Hudsons? Huh.
Fans will need to stay tuned to find out. Hopefully, the show can succeed by taking a familiar (and beloved) premise into a new and enterprising direction. Either way, we’re just happy to get some “Rex vision.”
