“R.J. Decker” returned for its second season on ABC this week with a new 10 p.m. Tuesday slot behind “Dancing With the Stars,” and star Scott Speedman says the move brought an unexpected crossover with the dance competition into the premiere.
The season opener features appearances from “Dancing With the Stars” professionals Val Chmerkovskiy and Jenna Johnson, along with “Bachelor” alum Joey Graziadei, in a sequence shot in Fort Lauderdale. Speedman credited showrunner Rob Doherty with the idea, calling it a way to expand the series without losing what makes it work. He said he is hopeful the tie-in draws new viewers into the show’s time slot after “Dancing With the Stars,” a lead-in ABC is counting on to boost the drama’s audience.
The season picks up with R.J., a former newspaper photographer and ex-con turned private investigator, in a settled place after resolving the mystery that defined the first season, including the threat of returning to prison. Speedman said viewers will see him reconnecting with Emi, played by Jaina Lee Ortiz, and generally content with where his life stands.
That stability breaks immediately: the season one finale ended with the discovery of Victor’s body in a pool, and Speedman said the fallout will ripple through R.J.’s business and his relationship with Emi alike. He declined to say how quickly the murder gets resolved, only that it will not stretch across the entire season.
Created by Rob Doherty, whose credits include “Elementary,” “R.J. Decker” is loosely inspired by Carl Hiaasen’s novel “Double Whammy” and follows its title character as he rebuilds his life investigating unusual cases across South Florida.
The series also stars Kevin Rankin, Adelaide Clemens and Bevin Bru, with Carl Hiaasen, Carl Beverly, Sarah Timberman and Doherty serving as executive producers alongside director Paul McGuigan. Produced by 20th Television, the show debuted in March and drew a strong opening audience across ABC, Hulu and Disney+ before earning a renewal in May.
New episodes of “R.J. Decker” air Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on ABC, with next-day streaming on Hulu.
