ABC’s new detective series R.J. Decker is essentially "Florida Man" meets a prestige crime procedural—it’s quirky, swampy, and stars Scott Speedman as a disgraced photographer who is just trying to survive the weirdness of the Sunshine State. If your family grew up on Carl Hiaasen’s middle-grade classics like Hoot or Flush, you’ll recognize the DNA immediately, but fair warning: this show is definitely aimed at the parents and older teens, trading burrowing owls for bass-fishing murders and complex adult drama.
TL;DR: R.J. Decker is a sharp, character-driven adaptation of Carl Hiaasen’s Double Whammy that captures the author's signature "weird Florida" energy. Starring Scott Speedman and Jaina Lee Ortiz, the series is a great watch for fans of Will Trent or Bad Monkey, but its mature themes and 10 PM (soon to be 9 PM) slot mean it’s best reserved for viewers 14 and up.
If you haven’t been following the Tuesday night lineup on ABC, R.J. Decker is the latest hit from showrunner Rob Doherty (the guy who gave us the brilliant Elementary). It’s based on the 1987 novel Double Whammy, which was the world's first introduction to Hiaasen’s specific brand of ecological satire and crime fiction.
The story follows R.J. Decker, a former newspaper photographer who took a fall and spent 18 months in prison after a run-in with a corrupt politician’s son. Now an ex-con, he’s trying to rebuild his life as a private investigator in South Florida. But because this is a Hiaasen world, his first big case isn't a standard "cheating spouse" gig—it’s a deep dive into the surprisingly cutthroat (and occasionally lethal) world of professional bass fishing tournaments.
One of the biggest reasons this show is pulling in over 11 million viewers on Hulu and ABC is the chemistry of the ensemble. It’s a mix of "I know that face" veteran actors and fresh energy.
Scott Speedman as R.J. Decker
Speedman is perfect here. He’s moved past his Felicity days and is leaning into a "shambling, slightly-burnt-out-but-still-principled" vibe. He plays Decker with a dry wit and a short fuse, making him the kind of relatable underdog we love to root for.
Jaina Lee Ortiz as Emilia "Emi" Ochoa
Fresh off her long run on Station 19, Ortiz plays Emi, a woman from Decker’s past who actually played a role in sending him to prison. She’s now his "shadowy benefactor," and the tension between them is a major engine for the show’s drama.
Kevin Rankin as Aloysius "Wish" Aiken
Rankin is a "that guy" actor you’ve seen in Breaking Bad and Friday Night Lights. He plays Wish, Decker’s former cellmate who now owns a bar and serves as the show’s comedic (and surprisingly loyal) sidekick.
This is a cool dynamic for a network procedural. Clemens plays Catherine, R.J.’s journalist ex-wife, and Bru plays Melody "Mel" Abreu, Catherine’s current wife and a detective at the Fort Lauderdale PD. They aren’t just background characters; they are R.J.’s support system, even if Mel isn't exactly thrilled about her wife’s ex-husband crashing on their couch after his trailer falls into a sinkhole.
If you’re an intentional parent, you probably have a copy of Hoot or Chomp on your kid's bookshelf. Carl Hiaasen is the king of middle-grade eco-mysteries. However, his adult novels—like Double Whammy and Bad Monkey—are a different beast.
The R.J. Decker series manages to bridge that gap. It keeps the environmental heart and the "weird Florida" humor that kids love, but it adds the stakes and complexity that adults crave. It’s a great example of how a creator can take a 40-year-old book and make it feel completely 2026-relevant.
Even though it’s moving to a 9 PM slot in April, R.J. Decker is still a "grown-up" show. Here’s the breakdown of what to expect:
- Violence: It’s a crime show. There are bodies in bogs, fistfights, and some intense moments involving firearms. It’s not "slasher movie" level, but it’s more visceral than your average episode of The Hardy Boys.
- Complex Morality: Decker is an ex-con. Emi is morally ambiguous. The show spends a lot of time exploring the "murky waters" of Florida politics and corruption. It’s a great talking point for older teens about how the world isn't always black and white.
- Adult Relationships: The show handles R.J.’s relationship with his ex-wife and her new wife with a lot of maturity and humor. There’s some sexual tension and "adult situations," but it stays within the bounds of network TV.
- Language: Expect some "TV-14" level swearing—nothing that would make a sailor blush, but definitely more than a middle-grade novel.
Check out our guide on navigating mature themes in procedurals
If you decide to watch R.J. Decker with your 14 or 15-year-old, here are a few ways to turn it into a "Screenwise moment":
- The "Florida Man" Archetype: Why is Florida the setting for so many weird stories? Talk about how environment and local culture shape the kind of crimes and characters we see in media.
- Redemption: R.J. Decker is an ex-con trying to do the right thing. Is it possible to truly "start over" after making a big mistake? How does the show portray the challenges of life after prison?
- Environmentalism as a Motive: In Hiaasen’s world, the "bad guys" are usually people destroying the environment for profit. How does this compare to the themes in Hoot?
Q: Is R.J. Decker appropriate for a 10 or 12-year-old?
Probably not. While kids this age might love Hiaasen’s books, the TV show includes more adult themes, violence, and complex relationship drama than the middle-grade novels. We recommend waiting until age 14+.
Q: How does this compare to Bad Monkey on Apple TV+?
They are cousins! Both are based on Hiaasen books. Bad Monkey is a bit more "prestige streaming" (more swearing, slightly darker), while R.J. Decker has that fast-paced, network procedural feel similar to Will Trent.
Q: Do I need to read the book Double Whammy first?
Not at all. The show does a great job of establishing the world and the characters from scratch. However, reading Double Whammy after watching can be a fun way to see how adaptations change things for a modern audience.
Q: Where can I stream R.J. Decker?
The series airs Tuesdays on ABC and is available to stream the next day on Hulu and Disney+.
R.J. Decker is a win for ABC and a treat for Carl Hiaasen fans. It’s smart, funny, and beautifully shot. For intentional parents, it’s a solid "watch together" option for families with older teens who are ready to move past the burrowing owls and into the deeper, weirder waters of adult mysteries.