There’s a reason Sherlock has been called one of the best ever detective dramas and that's because it's brilliant. But, believe it or not, there's another series that’s twice as charming and it goes by the title Hudson & Rex. The terrific Canadian series, which first aired in 2020, follows a cunning detective named Charlie Hudson (John Reardon) and his unexpectedly brilliant partner, Rex, who has four legs and uses his nose to solve crimes (yes, he's a dog).
Set in the Canadian city of St. John's, the crime-solving duo tackle new cases every episode. And while Hudson uses his human intuition and determination, Rex brings a unique edge with his heightened animal senses – often spotting clues humans might miss. Rex is, as you might imagine, the star of the show and, with an eighth series arriving imminently, there are plenty of episodes to keep you entertained.
Before you tune in, here’s everything you need to know about Hudson & Rex, including the plot, cast, and how to watch it.
What is Hudson & Rex about?
The long-running series introduces us to what has to be the most unlikely - but superb - detective duo in the form of Detective Charlie Hudson (John Reardon) and his highly trained German Shepherd, Rex. Detective Hudson isn't the only one with a knack for catching criminals, Rex has the gift too. So, over the course of seven (almost eight!) series, we see the duo work on fresh cases every episode, from heists and kidnappings to shock murders.
The genius of the series lies in the fact that Detective Hudson brings his loyal K9 partner to the many crime scenes where they set to work looking for clues. While Hudson searches for evidence using his human instincts, Rex sniffs out the rest, often solving the case. Though with Rex being quite the unconventional partner, Hudson often has to explain the dog's presence at a crime scene! In one scene, he insists: "He's a highly trained law enforcement animal. He gets a little sensitive when you call him a pet."
We should add that, sadly, Detective Hudson gets a replacement in the form of Luke Roberts. Will he be as good? We'll be tuning in to find out!
Who’s in the cast of Hudson & Rex?
- John Reardon (Arctic Air, Painkiller Jain) as Detective Charlie Hudson, Rex's first partner (series 1–7)
- Mayko Nguyen (Killjoys, Titans) as Chief of Forensics (later Detective) Sarah Truong
- Kevin Hanchard (Cardinal, The Porter) as Superintendent Joseph "Joe" Donovan
- Justin Kelly (Wynonna Earp) as IT Specialist (later Detective) Jesse Mills
- Luke Roberts (Black Sails) as Detective Mark Hudson (series 8)
- Raven Dauda (Star Trek: Discovery) as Sergeant Jan Renley, Rex's police trainer
- Diesel vom Burgimwald as Rex, the German Shepherd Dog K-9 officer (series 1-7)
- Dillon, Dante, and Dreamer (relatives of Diesel) as Rex (series 7–8)
Is there a trailer for Hudson & Rex?
Yes, you can watch the trailer for the first series of Hudson & Rex here:
How can I watch Hudson & Rex?
You can watch the first seven series of Hudson & Rex now on Sky. Series 8 premieres on Sunday 10th May at 8pm on U&Alibi.
What other detective dramas can I watch now?
If you’re looking for another escapist detective drama, we’d recommend Frankie Drake Mysteries. The series takes us to 1920s Toronto where the titular Frankie Drake (Lauren Lee Smith) is the first female private detective - and what a detective she is. You can watch Frankie Drake Mysteries on Prime Video. We’re sticking with the 20s for the next recommendation. Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries follows the unflappable and glamorous Detective Phryne Fisher (Essie Davis) - who even owns a pearl-handled pistol. All three series of Miss Fisher’s Murder Mysteries is available on U now.
