ABC Orders Scott Speedman-Led 'RJ Decker' Series for Midseason 2026 Premier

ABC has ordered the series "RJ Decker," starring Scott Speedman as a disgraced newspaper photographer and ex-con who becomes a private investigator in South Florida. The show, inspired by Carl Hiaasen's 1987 novel "Double Whammy" and adapted by Rob Doherty, follows Decker as he tackles a variety of cases with help from his journalist ex, her police detective wife, and a mysterious benefactor from his past. The series is produced by 20th Television with executive producers including Doherty, Hiaasen, and director Paul McGuigan, and is set to premiere midseason in the 2025-26 TV season. Supporting cast includes Kevin Rankin, Adelaide Clemens, and Bevin Bru, while the role of Shay Bennett, originally played by Weruche Opia in the pilot, will be recast. The show fits into ABC's successful lineup of crime dramas with quirky protagonists, aligning with recent hits like "High Potential," "The Rookie," and "Will Trent." Speedman will continue his recurring role on ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" alongside his new lead role in "RJ Decker."