ABC's R.J. Decker Posts Record Debut, Challenges High Potential

ABC introduced a new detective series on March 3, 2026, that is already positioning itself as a rival to High Potential, which was the network's most-watched series in 2025 and has Season 3 on the way. The two shows now share the same Tuesday night block, reflecting their similar appeal.

The R.J. Decker premiere drew 3.69 million viewers on ABC and topped more than 11 million across Disney platforms, including Disney+ and Hulu. Those figures surpassed the initial premieres of both High Potential and Will Trent, and marked ABC’s most-watched 10 PM drama in over five years.

Scott Speedman leads the series as a charismatic photographer with a lengthy criminal history who becomes a witty private investigator in Southern Florida. With Drew Goddard at the creative helm, the show follows an unlikely civilian whose knack for solving mysteries often outpaces the local police, but with a protagonist carrying a more complicated past.

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