Main Characters
open/close all folders
Detective Charlie Hudson
Detective Charlie Hudson
Played by: John Reardon
The star detective of the SJPD's Major Crimes division.- Berserk Button: Do not hurt Rex. Charlie once flat-out threatens to shoot a suspect if the man shoots Rex.
- Better with Non-Human Company: Downplayed; he can handle people well enough, especially in the course of his duties, but it's pointed out more than once that Charlie prefers Rex's company to that of a human partner, and he's not often shown socialising outside of Rex or his work circle.
- Book Dumb: Downplayed; Charlie is an intelligent, capable detective, but scientific disciplines are outside of his area of expertise, and he's out of his depth in high-culture situations.
- Catchphrase: "Rex, track it."
- Deadpan Snarker: Like any good TV cop, Charlie is seldom without a dry remark.
- Fair Cop: A tall, fit, very handsome police officer.
- Perma-Stubble: Charlie is never without a day or two's beard growth, which adds to his Fair Cop image.
- Pop-Cultural Osmosis Failure: In one episode, Charlie quotes "may the Force be with you" while making the Vulcan salute, totally oblivious to the difference.
- The Stoic: Charlie is not easily shaken, and even when surprised, rarely raises his voice in anger or shows any outward signs of fear or aggression. Part of this is justified by his proximity to Rex; when Charlie loses his temper in the second episode, Rex becomes aggressive as well, and it's pointed out to Charlie that Rex will respond to his emotional state, which makes Charlie staying calm necessary to keep Rex calm as well.
Sarah Truong
Dr. Sarah Truong
Played by: Mayko Nguyen
Chief of Forensics for the SJPD.- Brainy Brunette: As befitting her profession, she is a very intelligent brunette.
- The Coroner: One of her (several) roles in the forensics department.
- The Main Characters Do Everything: Sarah seems to serve as the entire forensics department in some episodes, performing autopsies, collecting and examining evidence, and working in the field, with her subordinates being little more than living props. Karma's introduction in Season 5 mitigates this slightly (at least until she leaves for Halifax in the following season).
Superintendant Joe Donovan
Superintendant Joseph "Joe" Donovan
Played by: Kevin Hanchard
Head of the SJPD Major Crimes unit.- Good Parents: While he's Camilla's adoptive father, he's loving, attentive, and understanding, sharing in Camilla's interests, being totally aware of and comfortable with her sexuality, and even covering for Camilla's mother while she struggled with alcoholism. The only times he approaches Knight Templar Parent territory are when he fears that Camilla may be using drugs (she was actually seeing someone and was nervous about introducing her to Joe), and when her investigation of a student's murder at her school gets in the way of Major Crimes.
- Reasonable Authority Figure: He's a very easygoing boss who trusts his people and not only allows, but encourages Charlie and Rex's partnership. Also, Donovan's relationship with his team comes off as much more casual and friendly than is typical for police procedurals; Joe and the other characters, Charlie especially, often refer to each other by their given names.
Jesse Mills
Jesse Mills
Played by: Justin Kelly
The Major Crimes unit's IT specialist.- Non-Action Guy: Charlie handles the legwork in the team; Jesse's specialty is technology, and his undercover efforts have mixed results, nearly getting him killed more than once.
Rex
Rex
Played by: Diesel vom Burgimwald
A former K9 police dog and currently Hudson's partner.- Bruiser with a Soft Center: Rex is a big, intimidating German Shepherd who can take down humans twice his size, but he's also an incredible sweetheart who always offers comfort to people in distress and is extremely loyal to his partner.
- Dark and Troubled Past: Rex's old K9 handler was shot dead in front of him. The police found him curled up next to her body.
- Heroic Dog: A given for a highly trained police animal, but Rex goes above and beyond. He takes down more suspects than his human partner does, and in one episode, successfully gets a wild wolf to back down.
- Hypercompetent Sidekick: Downplayed; While Charlie is a highly capable investigator in his own right, Rex assists by accomplishing things that the former would not be able to do by himself or at the time. He also is often instrumental when it comes to taking down perpetrators.
- Logical Weakness: Rex is an abnormally capable police dog, but he's still just a dog; locked doors are his worst enemy.
Recurring Characters
Camilla Donovan
Camilla Donovan
Played by: Amanda Arcuri
Donovan's adoptive daughter.- Bait-and-Switch: When Camilla starts acting secretive, Joe worries that she's taking drugs and has Charlie look into it. Later, Charlie sees what appears to be Camilla meeting with a drug dealer, but it turns out to be Camilla's girlfriend. Another bait-and-switch occurs right after, as Charlie assumes that Camilla's behavior is due to hiding her sexuality from her father, but Camilla tells him that Joe already knows; she had previously decided to avoid serious dating until graduation, and was nervous about letting Joe know about the relationship.
- Straight Gay: Camilla has a girlfriend, but doesn't show any stereotypical traits. Charlie is surprised to learn of her orientation and assumes Joe doesn't know, but Camilla tells him that he's well aware.
