Scott Speedman is no stranger to the television spotlight, but tonight he steps into a brand-new role that’s already generating buzz among critics and fans alike. Debuting at 10 p.m. on ABC, the network’s latest crime drama, RJ Decker, introduces viewers to a distinctly different kind of private investigator—one who’s as wholesome as he is haunted, as funny as he is flawed, and who proves that sometimes, the most compelling heroes are those with the messiest pasts.
Speedman, best known for his turns on Felicity and Grey’s Anatomy, now takes on the title role as RJ Decker, a disgraced newspaper photographer and ex-con who’s determined to build a new life in South Florida’s sun-soaked underbelly. According to People, Speedman describes his character as someone who “comes out, he wants to leave all that behind and go on to this new world, this new life as a private investigator.” The series, inspired by Carl Hiaasen’s 1987 novel Double Whammy, is set amid the quirks and charms of Fort Lauderdale—a city that, as Speedman puts it, “is a total character itself.”
Unlike the hardboiled, often cynical detectives that dominate the crime genre, RJ Decker is refreshingly earnest. He’s not out for revenge, but for redemption. The show’s premise finds him trading a once-promising photojournalism career for a battered trailer and a shot at solving some of the Sunshine State’s strangest mysteries. Each week, Decker’s cases deliver a healthy dose of whimsy and intrigue—think pirated Venus Fly Traps and eccentric suspects in speedos and cowboy hats. Yet, as Roger Ebert reviewers note, the show never tips into parody. Instead, it “lets Florida breathe,” respecting the region’s idiosyncrasies without resorting to mockery or exaggeration.
Speedman’s performance is the glue that holds the series together, bringing a warmth and vulnerability that makes audiences root for Decker from the very first scene. He’s a man who’s made mistakes and paid the price, but who’s determined to do better—not just for himself, but for the oddball community that slowly gathers around him. “He tries to start that life. And the show’s about his adventures trying to solve these weekly crimes,” Speedman shared with People.
But Decker isn’t alone in his quest for a second chance. The supporting cast is a major part of why RJ Decker stands out in a crowded field of network procedurals. Jaina Lee Ortiz, familiar to many from Station 19, plays Emi Ochoa—a woman whose loyalties are split between Decker and her own powerful, and potentially corrupt, Florida family. The chemistry between Speedman and Ortiz creates an electric will-they-won’t-they dynamic that adds emotional stakes to every episode.
Bevin Bru, as Detective Melody Abreau, brings a sharp edge to the ensemble. She’s not just Decker’s former flame but also the new wife of his ex-wife, played by Adelaide Clemens. In a refreshing twist, the show doesn’t mine these relationships for cheap melodrama or betrayal. Instead, it leans into the complexities of modern connection—presenting a messy, authentic web of friendships and family ties that feels both earned and deeply human. According to Roger Ebert, this approach “creates a messy, authentic web of relationships” that’s rare on network TV.
The authenticity extends beyond the characters to the setting itself. While much of RJ Decker is filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina, the production makes regular trips to Fort Lauderdale—two or three times per season, according to Speedman—to capture the region’s unique atmosphere. “Because as soon as you go down there, you’re like, ‘Oh, this is R.J. Decker. This is the show.’ You can put your camera up anywhere and it really feels like the show,” Speedman told People.
That commitment to place isn’t always easy. During a February visit by People magazine, Wilmington was still blanketed by the aftermath of a snowstorm. Yet, the cast and crew pressed on, recreating Florida’s balmy vibe on a soundstage—even if it meant Speedman had to don a Hawaiian shirt in 30-degree weather. “Pretending you’re a cool customer in Fort Lauderdale while filming in a short-sleeved shirt in 30-degree weather... does make selling the show’s Florida vibes a little difficult at times,” he admitted.
Behind the scenes, Speedman is juggling more than just Decker’s complicated life. He continues to play Nick, Meredith Grey’s partner, on Grey’s Anatomy—a role he’s held since season 14. The logistics are daunting: RJ Decker films in North Carolina, while Grey’s Anatomy is shot in Los Angeles. “Wilmington, for all its great qualities, is not the easiest place to get in and out of... just getting back during this weather is going to be interesting, but we’re going to do it,” Speedman told People. His strategy is to shoot RJ Decker for extended stints, then fly to LA for quick appearances on Grey’s Anatomy. “Once you’ve done a show for a number of years creatively, you just slip into it,” he said. “Shoot there for a couple days and jump on a plane and shoot here. So, we’ll see. Ask me later because I haven’t done it yet, but I’m sure it’ll go well.”
Tonight’s debut is part of ABC’s powerhouse Tuesday lineup, airing alongside returning favorites like Will Trent and High Potential. Early reviews suggest that RJ Decker’s blend of whimsy, character-driven storytelling, and genuine affection for its setting could help it carve out a loyal following. According to Roger Ebert, the show’s “whimsy and character focus distinguish it from typical network procedurals.”
For viewers who can’t catch the premiere live, episodes will be available to stream on Hulu starting March 4. And with new episodes airing weekly, there’s plenty of time to get acquainted with Decker and his world of sun, crime, and second chances.
So, can ABC’s new drama compete in the crowded procedural space? That’s the multimillion-dollar question. But with a charming ex-con at the helm, a vibrant supporting cast, and a setting that’s as much a character as any human on screen, RJ Decker might just have the right formula to keep audiences coming back for more.
One thing’s for sure: in a TV landscape crowded with antiheroes and brooding detectives, RJ Decker’s quest for redemption and genuine connection feels like a breath of fresh, Florida air.