‘Hudson & Rex’ Season 9 Release Date, Plot, Cast and Trailer as Original Detective Returns

Citytv’s beloved canine procedural is making a comeback, featuring the most significant casting reversal in the series’ history. ‘Hudson & Rex’ is set to premiere on Monday, October 5, with Mayko Nguyen, Kevin Hanchard, and Justin Kelly joining John Reardon, who returns as Detective Charlie Hudson.

The series, centered around the bond between a cop and his German Shepherd partner, has faced challenges recently. Reardon’s departure and subsequent replacement sparked considerable backlash, prompting the network to reverse its decision. As a result, this new chapter of ‘Hudson & Rex’ arrives with a wave of goodwill and many questions.

The first episode, titled ‘The Man in the Hoodie,’ will air on October 5 at 8 p.m. on Citytv. Following that, ‘Three’s a Crowd’ will air on October 12, and ‘End of the Line’ on October 19, ensuring a consistent weekly rollout throughout the fall.

Citytv has confirmed a total of 12 episodes for this season, although the episode guide is still being updated. Currently, there is a listing for a November 23 episode called ‘Heebie Jeebies,’ indicating that more titles will be revealed as the season progresses.

Earlier this year, Citytv announced the show’s renewal as part of its 2026 to 2027 programming slate, with production kicking off in June in St. John’s, Newfoundland and Labrador. This timeline is tighter than the previous season, which began on September 22 of last year.

Fans outside Canada may need to be patient. Previous seasons have first reached Canadian viewers on Citytv Plus, with international audiences following later. Currently, there are no announced international dates for the new episodes.

The premiere sets an intense tone right away, as Donovan is nearly killed in a mysterious attack, and Rex leads the team to a shocking revelation: the return of a familiar face. Given the recent casting news, it’s easy to speculate who that might be, although the official description remains vague.

The storyline picks up a thread that fans have been eager to see resolved. When viewers last saw Charlie, he was on a quest in South America to find his missing brother, Jack. How this search concludes and its repercussions are likely to be central to the emotional landscape of the new episodes.

The show maintains its case-of-the-week format. One episode features a woman waking up covered in blood with a murder weapon and no memory, while another investigates a murder linked to a railway museum. A third episode dives into the competitive world of elite gymnastics, showcasing the cozy yet twisty mysteries that have made this crime drama a fan favorite.

Later episodes promise even more playful plots. One involves a horror novelist who discovers someone has been living inside his walls, and another features a wind energy CEO found dead in her laboratory. Additionally, one case takes the duo undercover at a halfway house associated with a gourmet cheese operation, highlighting the series’ quirky charm.

The most notable return is undoubtedly Reardon’s. Citytv has confirmed that he is back with his canine partner, and he expressed excitement about reprising his role. For many fans, this was the news they had been eagerly anticipating.

Reardon isn’t returning alone. Nguyen reprises her role as Dr. Sarah Truong, Hanchard returns as Superintendent Joseph Donovan, Kelly as Tech Analyst Jesse Mills, and Luke Roberts as Detective Mark Hudson. This means the show now features two Hudsons, creating an intriguing dynamic within the squad.

The backstory adds depth to the drama. Reardon left during the seventh season to undergo treatment for tonsil cancer, with Roberts stepping in to take over the lead role. Roberts, a veteran of canine units in the Canadian forces and Halifax police, will remain with the show rather than being written out.

As for Rex, the original canine star, Diesel vom Burgimwald, passed away unexpectedly in August 2024. His nephews and a cousin have since taken over the role, allowing the audience to adjust to this change, which adds another layer of emotion to the reunion of man and dog.

Currently, official promotional material is limited. A first look video for the premiere has surfaced on YouTube, labeled as containing leaked spoilers, so viewers should approach it with caution until Citytv releases its own footage.

For context, last year’s marketing set a different tone. The early trailer for the previous season hinted at a darker premise as Mark adjusted to his new role. If the new promos return to the lighter, buddy-cop vibe of the earlier seasons, it would indicate a desire to embrace nostalgia.

What remains crucial now is the chemistry between the characters. With Charlie and Mark Hudson sharing the same station house, and Rex caught between his returning partner and the new one, this tension could either enhance the show or divide its audience. Which Hudson will Rex trust when the toughest case of the season arises, and should the original partnership take precedence over the newcomer?