RJ Decker (ABC) – New Series 2026 | Release Date, Cast, Plot and Streaming Guide

ABC is stepping into 2026 with a fresh crime drama that mixes classic private-eye grit with Florida-style weirdness. 

The upcoming television series RJ Decker brings Scott Speedman into the lead role as a disgraced ex-con turned private investigator navigating the colorful and unpredictable world of South Florida. Part detective procedural, part redemption story, the show already has fans buzzing thanks to its sharp premise and stacked supporting cast. Here is everything you need to know about the series, including where to watch and what makes it one of ABC’s most intriguing new arrivals.

What is the RJ Decker series about?

At its core, RJ Decker follows the story of a man trying to rebuild his life after burning it down.

Official Logline:RJ Decker is a disgraced newspaper photographer and ex-con who starts over as a private investigator in the colorful-if-crime-filled world of South Florida. He tackles cases that range from slightly odd to outright bizarre with the help of his journalist ex, her police detective wife, and a shadowy new benefactor—a woman from his past who could be his greatest ally… or his one-way ticket back to prison.

The series blends weekly investigation-of-the-week storytelling with longer personal arcs involving RJ’s history as an ex-con, his complicated relationships, and the constant fear that his past mistakes may still define his future.

Set against neon skies, beachfront wealth, and back-alley danger, the show aims to deliver something different from standard network procedurals. South Florida itself becomes a character: vibrant, chaotic, seductive—and occasionally deadly.

Meet the Cast: Who stars in RJ Decker?

Main Cast

• Scott Speedman as RJ Decker. The central character, RJ, is an ex-photographer whose career collapsed in scandal. After serving time in prison, he reinvents himself as a private investigator. Smart, resourceful, and street-hardened, RJ uses his eye for detail as a former photographer to crack cases others cannot see through.

• Jaina Lee Ortiz was cast in a leading supporting role as part of RJ’s new professional orbit. Ortiz is widely known for her breakout work on Station 19, making her addition a major draw for ABC drama fans.

• Pej Vahdat, Alexis Baca, Grace Junot, and others. A strong ensemble surrounds Speedman, providing both investigative partners and adversaries throughout the season.

Additional Series Stars

• Pej Vahdat

• Alexis Baca

• Grace Junot

The official character descriptions emphasize that RJ is not a flawless hero. He is messy, stubborn, and sometimes reckless—the kind of lead who makes mistakes and still has to live with them.

Characters and Dynamics

The show thrives on its relationships as much as its mysteries.

• The Journalist Ex: RJ’s former partner remains connected to the world he left behind—media, headlines, and unresolved emotional baggage.

• Her Police Detective Wife: A by-the-book cop who dislikes RJ’s loose cannon methods but recognizes his talent.

• The Enigmatic Woman From His Past: A mysterious benefactor whose motives are unclear, keeping tension high across the entire season.

These conflicting personalities force RJ to balance legality with instinct. Every episode asks the same uncomfortable question: Can a man with a criminal record truly become a force for justice?

The Official Trailer: What it Reveals

The first teaser trailer for RJ Decker (ABC) sets up a stylish tone:

• Fast cuts of Miami-adjacent skylines

• RJ pinning photos and clues to a wall—his old profession bleeding into his new one

• Glimpses of eccentric criminals, oddball clients, and dangerous confrontations

• A narration hinting at obsession, paranoia, and redemption

While the promo does not spoil individual cases, it makes clear that this is not “your average crime show.” The series promises twists that lean surreal without leaving the grounded network format.

Genres and Format

RJ Decker is officially categorized under:

• Action

• Crime

• Procedural Drama

The show will follow a multi-episode seasonal arc, likely consisting of 10–13 episodes for its debut run, with each installment around 45 minutes.

Expect:

• weekly mysteries

• character-driven drama

• ongoing conspiracy threads

Fans of shows like The Rookie, Found, and classic PI dramas should feel right at home here.

Where to Watch and Stream RJ Decker

How to Watch

• Network: ABC

• Format: Television Series

• Premiere Year: 2026

Streaming Details

After episodes air on ABC, they are expected to follow ABC’s usual digital release pattern:

• Available next day on Hulu (US)

• Select international streaming windows through Disney+ in major territories

Viewers will be able to keep up with full episodes on the official ABC and Hulu apps, making the show accessible to audiences across the US, Canada, UK, Australia, and parts of Europe.

More precise streaming times and platform availability will be confirmed closer to the official premiere date.

Background on the Franchise Name

Despite sharing a similar title style, the Netflix-distributed series RJ Decker is not connected to any prior film or manga property. It is an original ABC crime drama creation, developed specifically for network television in 2026.

Why this series could be a breakout hit

Several elements give RJ Decker real potential:

1. Scott Speedman as a Network Lead – a proven actor finally getting his own starring vehicle

2. A unique Florida-meets-surreal tone

3. Strong female supporting characters instead of the usual solo-hero formula

4. Cancellation-proof potential thanks to Hulu and Disney+ partnerships

ABC clearly wants to launch a franchise that can run for years, and RJ Decker feels engineered to do exactly that.

RJ Decker Season 1 – What to Expect

Story Focus: RJ solves missing-persons cases, cult crimes, beachfront heists, and bizarre South Florida mysteries while slowly unraveling the people who set him up and destroyed his photography career.

Tone: Serial, redemption-driven, bittersweet, occasionally comedic—but always tense.

Setting: South Florida, primarily around Miami, Fort Lauderdale, and the rural outskirts.

ABC has a long history of turning procedurals into fan-favorite hits. With RJ Decker, they are betting on a flawed, fascinating hero who proves that charm and instinct can sometimes beat experience and background.

This is a series built on second chances—and on January 2026, viewers finally get theirs.