ABC’s New Detective Series Based on a 39-Year-Old Novel Is Coming For ‘High Potential’s Critical Acclaim

ABC’s stable of crime solvers only keeps getting stronger. Long powered by series like The Rookie and Grey’s Anatomy, the network has created some of the most popular procedurals on broadcast television of late by leaning into the unique, charming presences at the helm, like Kaitlin Olson‘s hyper-intelligent single mom Morgan Gillory in High Potential or Ramón Rodriguez‘s efficient GBI special agent Will Trent in, well, Will Trent. The former’s continued viewership success even landed a renewal for Season 3 yesterday. This week has now seen a new face added to the lineup in the form of R.J. Decker, played by none other than Underworld franchise star Scott Speedman.

Created by Elementary mastermind Robert Doherty, R.J. Decker is based on the crime comedy mystery novel Double Whammy, the second book from prolific author Carl Hiaasen released in 1987. Though it’s built to capture the same Florida-based aesthetic, it also reaches far beyond the bounds of the original story centered on the surprisingly corrupt world of competitive bass fishing. At its center is the titular R.J. Decker, a disgraced newspaper photographer, ex-convict, and overall mess, who’s getting a fresh start as a private investigator in South Florida after being released from prison. Joined by his ex-wife, her new police detective wife, and the daughter of the corrupt state senator who had R.J. locked up in the first place, he seeks to rebuild his reputation by taking up the wildest cases the idyllic locale has to offer. So far, like High Potential and Will Trent before it, that unique spin is working like a charm.

Following the premiere on Tuesday, the series is currently sitting at a strong 80% on Rotten Tomatoes, though it’s likely to change with only five reviews in so far. That’s not quite as good as the Certified Fresh 96% of High Potential‘s breakthrough first season, but a good sign that Speedman’s new detective has some real staying power. Collider’s Jennie Richardson was among those singing R.J. Decker‘s praises in her 7/10 review, highlighting the show’s “laugh out loud” comedic moments in the first two episodes and Speedman’s performance, saying, “Like its titular character, RJ Decker is a little rough around the edges, but it has a lot of potential.”

Who Else Joins Speedman in ‘R.J. Decker’?

Speedman has largely stuck to the small screen of late, between Peacock’s acclaimed horror series Teacup, TNT’s Animal Kingdom, and fellow ABC mainstay, Grey’s Anatomy. If R.J. Decker can capture a similar audience to High Potential and Will Trent, though, he may be leading Florida-based adventures on broadcast television for a long time. Joining him for the ride are Adelaide Clemens, Bevin Bru, and Kevin Rankin. His shady benefactor and the reason he wound up in prison, meanwhile, is also played by a member of the Grey’s extended family — Station 19 alum Jaina Lee Ortiz.

R.J. Decker airs every Tuesday at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. Stay tuned here at Collider for more as the series continues to unfold.

Release Date

March 3, 2026

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