If you watch the hit Canadian police procedural drama Hudson and Rex, you notice right away that the setting isn't a standard, interchangeable backlot in Toronto or Vancouver. The show's distinctive visual identity comes straight from the striking coastal geography, colorful historic streets, and authentic local architecture of St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador.
Unlike many television series that fake their locations using soundstages across major North American production hubs, Hudson and Rex roots itself deeply in the easternmost city of Canada. From the iconic police headquarters exterior to the sweeping cliffside views of the Atlantic Ocean, the production team uses real local geography to give the show its gritty, atmospheric charm.
Where Is Hudson and Rex Filmed?
The entire series is filmed on location in and around St. John's, Newfoundland and Labrador. While many Canadian series choose Ontario or British Columbia for tax credits and large studio infrastructure, production company Pope Productions chose to embrace the authentic East Coast environment.
Shooting on an island brings logistical hurdles, but it gives the show a distinct aesthetic. The production regularly utilizes local landmarks, public spaces, and natural formations that viewers can spot in almost every episode.
The St. John's Police Department Headquarters
One of the most recognizable locations in the series is the exterior of the Major Crimes police headquarters. In reality, these scenes are shot at the Memorial University of Newfoundland (MUN).
Specifically, the Bruneau Centre for Research and Innovation on the main MUN campus serves as the face of the police precinct. When crew members shoot here, they swap out university signage, add temporary police department decals, and station fictional police cruisers outside the entrance.
However, don't look for the interior holding cells, interrogation rooms, or forensic labs on campus. While exterior shots use the university architecture, the interior station sets—including the bullpen and lab spaces—are constructed inside a dedicated studio warehouse located nearby in Mount Pearl.
Iconic Outdoor Locations Around St. John's
Because the production crew works locally, they take full advantage of the dramatic natural landscapes and historic neighborhoods surrounding the city. Moving a production unit across town in St. John's is often faster than navigating traffic in larger metropolitan filming hubs.
- Signal Hill: This historic landmark appears frequently in the series. With its panoramic views of the Atlantic Ocean and the rugged coastline, it provides a dramatic backdrop for outdoor confrontations, foot chases, and sweeping establishing shots.
- Quidi Vidi Village: This picturesque, historic fishing village nestled inside a narrow harbor features heavily in various episodes. Its rustic wooden stages and tight-knit community feel give the show an authentic maritime texture.
- Downtown St. John's and Jellybean Row: The colorful Victorian row houses that line downtown streets—often referred to locally as Jellybean Row—pop up regularly during driving sequences and street investigations.
- Cape Spear and Bowring Park: The rugged cliffs of Cape Spear (the easternmost point in North America) and the lush green spaces of Bowring Park provide varied terrain for outdoor crime scenes and narrative pacing.
According to the City of St. John's official tourism portal, fans visiting the area frequently recognize downtown intersections, local cafes, and coastal walking trails featured in key episodes.
Why Production Chose Newfoundland
When the series was first developed, producers faced a choice between standard production centers like Toronto or building a local infrastructure in St. John's. Choosing Newfoundland changed the scope of the show.
While shipping specialized equipment to an island requires careful planning, the smaller crew footprint allows the team to secure permits and access unique public spaces that would be nearly impossible to close down in a massive city like Montreal or Vancouver. A transit move that might take hours in a massive urban center takes a fraction of the time in St. John's, giving the production more flexibility to capture multiple outdoor locations in a single day.
Furthermore, the Government of Newfoundland and Labrador film incentives page highlights how provincial funding and local crew development have turned the region into a reliable hub for long-running dramatic television.
Common Questions About Hudson and Rex Locations
Can you visit the Hudson and Rex police station?
You can visit the exterior location at Memorial University's Bruneau Centre, as it's part of an open university campus. However, the interior sets inside the Mount Pearl studio are private and closed to the public.
Are all episodes filmed outdoors in the winter?
The production shoots across multiple seasons, meaning viewers see both the bright, vibrant green summers of Newfoundland and the harsh, snowy winters. Weather conditions often dictate shooting schedules, adding authentic seasonal atmosphere to the scripts.
Does the show use any green screens for city backdrops?
Most street scenes, coastal views, and architectural backdrops are real. The production relies heavily on practical locations rather than digital set extensions, which helps maintain the grounded, regional texture of the series.
Are other shows filmed in the same areas?
Yes. St. John's has a rich history of supporting major Canadian television productions. Shows like Republic of Doyle previously utilized many of the exact same downtown streets, historic cemeteries, and coastal lookouts that fans see on Hudson and Rex today.
