R.J. Decker, ABC’s latest crime procedural, follows a disgraced news photographer and ex-con as he rebuilds his life as a private investigator in Fort Lauderdale, Florida. Being set in Florida, it comes as no surprise that the series features a bevy of colorful characters that instantly set the TV show apart. From loyal allies to dangerous enemies, here are the characters that make up the world of R.J. Decker.
R.J. Decker – Scott Speedman
Known for his roles in Felicity, Grey’s Anatomy, and the Underworld film series, Scott Speedman leads the show as the titular character who is starting over after being dealt a brutal hand of bad luck and even worse timing. R.J. is sent to prison for eighteen months on assault charges after stopping a young man from stealing his camera from his trunk; unfortunately for him, that young man is the son of a shady state senator who decides R.J. deserves to spend time behind bars.
Despite his run of bad luck, Speedman plays R.J. Decker with charm and a dash of self-deprecating playfulness, the perfect balance to the hint of the darkness the character carries. Speedman walks this delicate tightrope brilliantly, making his character a fun watch.
Emi Ochoa – Jaina Lee Ortiz
Jaina Lee Ortiz dazzles as the captivating Emi Ochoa, a woman from R.J.’s past who had a hand in sending him to prison. As R.J. starts his life as a private investigator, she reaches out with an offer to help him and an apology. Every time Emi Ochoa is on screen, her presence is instantly magnetic as Ortiz plays her with a bit of mischief and a strong force of personality.
Ortiz has a long career in the industry, getting her start in 2004. Prior to R.J. Decker, she was a main cast member on Rosewood and Station 19, and appeared in the 2023 movie, The Long Game, to name a few projects in her filmography.
Aloysius “Wish” Aiken – Kevin Rankin
Kevin Rankin plays Wish, R.J.’s former cellmate, who is indebted to Speedman’s titular character. During their time in prison together, Wish maintained that he was innocent, with R.J. being the only person to believe him, eventually helping him prove his innocence. Wish currently owns a bar and often helps R.J. out when he can.
Rankin is a seasoned TV actor, notably having roles in Breaking Bad, Friday Night Lights, Justified, Unforgettable, and Trauma. His filmography showcases an ability to play a wide variety of roles and his remarkable range. On R.J. Decker, he brings a touch of lightness and optimism, grounding R.J.’s story with some levity.
Det. Mel Abreu – Bevin Bru
A Fort Lauderdale police detective, Mel is a tough, straight-shooter who has no patience for R.J.’s antics. Their dynamic is made even more complicated when it is revealed that she is currently married to R.J.’s ex-wife. By the end of the first episode, Mel and R.J. find a path to tolerating each other, some might even call it a rocky start to a friendship if they’re being generous.
Prior to R.J. Decker, Bru has appeared in Batwoman, 57 Seconds, Will Trent, This Tempting Madness, and Landman, among others. Bru is also a writer and a producer, highlighting her talents as a well-rounded storyteller.
Catherine Delacroix – Adelaide Clemens
Rounding out the main cast is Adelaide Clemens as Catherine, a journalist who also happens to be Mel’s wife and R.J.’s ex-wife. She also takes the award for most supportive ex-wife ever, giving R.J. a place to stay when his trailer falls into a sinkhole and even helping with his cases. Catherine, like Wish, is a ray of sunshine, bringing a spot of cheerfulness to the cast dynamics. As a journalist, she is shown to be sharp and inquisitive, and in the second episode of Season 1, where she and R.J. investigate a shady holistic healthcare company, it’s easy to see how well the two would have worked together back when R.J. was still a news photographer.
Clemens, who has been acting professionally since 2006, is known for roles in Rectify, The Swearing Jar, The Great Gatsby, and Justified: City Primeval.