Roger Cook's health issues has prevented him from appearing on This Old House new season episodes. Read on for updates on Roger Cook's health, This Old House season 40, and This Old House cast in 2019.

Roger Cook health issues reason behind This Old House Season 40 absence

Fans noticed that Roger Cook was absent for much of the new season of This Old House. He was also visibly ill when he appeared on This Old House season 39. The previous premiered on PBS on October 12, 2017 and ended on June 2, 2018.

Cook has addressed his health issues. The famed landscape contractor wrote an open letter to the fans on the official This Old House website in June 2018. "Some viewers may have noticed that I haven't been myself over the last season. In fact, I have been dealing with several health issues that have made performing on television more difficult," wrote Cook.

He added,"As a result, I've decided to reduce my role on This Old House and Ask This Old House so I can focus more time on my health and my family. I may appear occasionally on our shows, but you'll also see other landscaping professionals helping with out many projects."

This Old House new season cast updates

This Old House kicked off its fortieth season on October 6, 2018. The cast includes the master carpenter Norm Abram, landscape contractor Roger Cook, general contractor Tom Silva, plumber Richard Trethewey, electrical contractor Scott Caron,  landscaper Jennifer Nawada Evans, mason Mark McCullough, builder Jeff Sweenor, painter Mauro Henrique and home technology expert Ross Trethewey.