RJ Decker review: A weird, promising addition to ABC's procedurals

ABC has added RJ Decker to its lineup of procedurals, and the series—adapted from Carl Hiaasen's 1987 novel Double Whammy—already fits alongside shows like 9-1-1 and The Rookie. Each episode follows private investigator RJ Decker (Scott Speedman) as he tackles a different murder case while a larger storyline about an intriguing villain and tangled connections unfolds.

Decker was once a newspaper photographer in Fort Lauderdale whose life changed after a tragedy and a violent confrontation with a young thief linked to the powerful Ochoa family. He served 18 months, reemerged as a private investigator, and leans on a close circle—his former cellmate Wish (Kevin Rankin), ex-wife-turned-friend and journalist Catherine (Adelaide Clemens), Catherine's wife Mel (Bevin Bru), and their daughter Sofia, who calls him “Uncle RJ.” The senator's daughter Emi (Jaina Lee Ortiz) reappears seeking to make amends and to use her influence to help him.

At the show's emotional center is Decker's second-chance story.

rj decker, abc, scott speedman, carl hiaasen, double whammy, private investigator, procedurals, fort lauderdale, ochoa family, kevin rankin