R.J. Decker

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8 / 10
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Overview

Ex-con photographer RJ Decker becomes a PI in South Florida, solving strange cases with help from his journalist ex, her cop wife, and an enigmatic woman from his past who may help or destroy him.

Media

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RJ Decker Season 1 Trailer

Cast

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Jaina Lee Ortiz
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Kevin Rankin
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Adelaide Clemens
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Scott Speedman
Creator:
Carl Hiaasen, Rob Doherty
Fist Air Date:
2026-03-03
Episode Runtime:
undefinedm
Production Companies:
20th Television, Timberman/Beverly Productions, Hill of Beans Productions
Genres:
Comedy Crime Drama
Keywords:
florida private investigator
More Show Details

Vote Average: 8.2/10

Vote Count: 21 Votes

Show Popularity: 13.9346

Show Status: Returning Series

Show Type: Scripted

Spoken Languages: English

Review

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  1. Insomniacs Reviews
    8 Based on 1 Votes
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    ⭐ Insomniacs Rating: 8/10​ THE SUMMARY ​R.J. Decker (Scott Speedman) is a disgraced former photojournalist who spent time in the "iron hotel" for a crime he didn't exactly commit (thanks to his ex-wife's father). Now an ex-con, he’s trying to rebuild his life in the sweat-soaked, neon-lit chaos of South Florida as a private investigator. Based on Carl Hiaasen's legendary novel Double Whammy, the show follows Decker as he takes on cases that involve everything from rigged bass fishing tournaments to corrupt politicians, all while navigating a very awkward social circle that includes his journalist ex-wife, her detective wife, and a mysterious woman from his past who might be his savior or his downfall.​ THE PROS ​Scott Speedman was born to play this role. He perfectly captures that "weary but witty" vibe of a man who has seen too much and just wants a decent sandwich and a quiet day. The show is a "Guaranteed Banger" for fans of Elementary (creator Robert Doherty’s previous hit), as it shares that same DNA of a brilliant, flawed lead solving "case-of-the-week" mysteries with a serialized emotional core. The Florida setting isn't just a backdrop; it’s a character—sticky, colorful, and slightly insane. It manages to balance the "Hiaasen humor" with a genuine detective grit that keeps it from becoming too goofy.​ THE CONS ​If you’re looking for a dark, nihilistic prestige drama, this isn't it. It’s an ABC procedural at heart, which means the stakes occasionally feel a bit "network safe." Some of the logic leaps in the investigations can be a little convenient, and the "will-they-won't-they" tension with the various women in Decker's life can feel like a bit of a cliché. It’s an 8/10 because it’s incredibly well-made and entertaining, but it doesn't quite push the envelope enough to hit that 9/10 "Masterpiece" status.​ THE VERDICT ​An 8/10. It’s "The Business" for anyone who misses smart, character-driven detective shows like Terriers or Longmire. It’s breezy enough for a Tuesday night watch but has enough depth to keep you coming back for the "Hulu the next day" binge. It’s the best adaptation of Hiaasen's work since Bad Monkey, and Speedman is the engine that keeps it running at high speed.​ INSOMNIAC TRIVIA ​ The show broke a five-year viewership record for ABC, becoming the most-watched 10 PM drama debut since Big Sky back in 2020. Also, Jaina Lee Ortiz (who plays Emi Ochoa) was a last-minute casting addition, replacing Weruche Opia just months before the premiere. Fun fact: The "bass fishing" mystery in the pilot is a direct nod to the plot of the original 1987 novel Double Whammy, and Carl Hiaasen himself serves as an executive producer to ensure the Florida "weirdness" remains authentic.​ THE VIBE ​ Like a humid night in Miami with a cold beer in one hand and a suspicious camera in the other. It’s salty, sun-kissed, and just a little bit dangerous.

TV Show Poster

Season 1

9 Episodes

Air Date: 2026-03-03

Videos

RJ Decker Season 1 Trailer
No Title
RJ Decker (ABC) First Look HD - Scott Speedman, Jaina Lee Ortiz series

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Reviews for

R.J. Decker

Comment (1)

  1. Insomniacs Reviews

    ⭐ Insomniacs Rating: 8/10

    ​ THE SUMMARY
    ​R.J. Decker (Scott Speedman) is a disgraced former photojournalist who spent time in the “iron hotel” for a crime he didn’t exactly commit (thanks to his ex-wife’s father). Now an ex-con, he’s trying to rebuild his life in the sweat-soaked, neon-lit chaos of South Florida as a private investigator. Based on Carl Hiaasen’s legendary novel Double Whammy, the show follows Decker as he takes on cases that involve everything from rigged bass fishing tournaments to corrupt politicians, all while navigating a very awkward social circle that includes his journalist ex-wife, her detective wife, and a mysterious woman from his past who might be his savior or his downfall.

    ​ THE PROS
    ​Scott Speedman was born to play this role. He perfectly captures that “weary but witty” vibe of a man who has seen too much and just wants a decent sandwich and a quiet day. The show is a “Guaranteed Banger” for fans of Elementary (creator Robert Doherty’s previous hit), as it shares that same DNA of a brilliant, flawed lead solving “case-of-the-week” mysteries with a serialized emotional core. The Florida setting isn’t just a backdrop; it’s a character—sticky, colorful, and slightly insane. It manages to balance the “Hiaasen humor” with a genuine detective grit that keeps it from becoming too goofy.

    ​ THE CONS
    ​If you’re looking for a dark, nihilistic prestige drama, this isn’t it. It’s an ABC procedural at heart, which means the stakes occasionally feel a bit “network safe.” Some of the logic leaps in the investigations can be a little convenient, and the “will-they-won’t-they” tension with the various women in Decker’s life can feel like a bit of a cliché. It’s an 8/10 because it’s incredibly well-made and entertaining, but it doesn’t quite push the envelope enough to hit that 9/10 “Masterpiece” status.

    ​ THE VERDICT
    ​An 8/10. It’s “The Business” for anyone who misses smart, character-driven detective shows like Terriers or Longmire. It’s breezy enough for a Tuesday night watch but has enough depth to keep you coming back for the “Hulu the next day” binge. It’s the best adaptation of Hiaasen’s work since Bad Monkey, and Speedman is the engine that keeps it running at high speed.

    ​ INSOMNIAC TRIVIA
    ​ The show broke a five-year viewership record for ABC, becoming the most-watched 10 PM drama debut since Big Sky back in 2020. Also, Jaina Lee Ortiz (who plays Emi Ochoa) was a last-minute casting addition, replacing Weruche Opia just months before the premiere. Fun fact: The “bass fishing” mystery in the pilot is a direct nod to the plot of the original 1987 novel Double Whammy, and Carl Hiaasen himself serves as an executive producer to ensure the Florida “weirdness” remains authentic.

    ​ THE VIBE
    ​ Like a humid night in Miami with a cold beer in one hand and a suspicious camera in the other. It’s salty, sun-kissed, and just a little bit dangerous.

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