Common Sense Media Review
By Melissa Camacho
,
based on child development research. How do we rate?
Offbeat P.I. series has violence, innuendo, drinking.
Parents Need to Know
Why Age 13+?
Any Positive Content?
Where to Watch
Videos and Photos
R.J. Decker
Parent and Kid Reviews
What's the Story?
Inspired by Carl Hiaasen's 1987 novel, Double Whammy, R.J. DECKER is a crime series about a former photojournalist and ex-con working as a private investigator. R.J. Decker (Scott Speedman) was a successful newspaper photojournalist in Fort Lauderdale, Florida when he beat up a 20-year-old who was stealing his photography kit. But the thief is a member of the well-known and political Ochoa family, and thanks to the bogus testimony of the alleged victim's stepsister, Emilia "Emi" Ochoa (Jaina Lee Ortiz), he's sentenced to 18 months for assault. Two years later, Decker is out of prison, living in a trailer park, and using his camera skills to help him investigate cases throughout South Florida as a P.I. Getting his new career off the ground isn't easy, but luckily his friend and former cellmate Aloysius "Wish" Aiken (Kevin Rankin) is always willing to help. So is his ex-wife, journalist Catherine Delacroix (Adelaide Clemens), much to the dismay of her wife, Melody "Mel" Abreu (Bevin Bru), who just happens to be a detective with the Fort Lauderdale Police Department. Meanwhile, Emi Ochoa reappears and finds a way to join the fray. The dynamics between them can sometimes get tense, and the South Florida cases he's investigating can be pretty bizarre. But Decker is doing his best to solve each one, no matter how weird life gets.
Is It Any Good?
This offbeat, crime-solving dramatic comedy features a man who's trying to find justice for deserving people in his own way while celebrating some of the distinct (and often downright strange) vibes Florida is known for. While the charming, quirky, and flawed R.J. Decker tries to reinvent himself as a private investigator, his interactions with members of the diverse ensemble cast often make his life more complicated. They also make the plots more interesting while adding more humor to the show. Granted, a lot of the narrative borders on the absurd, but this also adds to the fun, and doesn't keep you from rooting for the main character. This is especially true given that Decker, despite his easygoing and quirky nature, appears to truly care about people. Meanwhile, allowing viewers to see what Decker sees through his camera lens during his investigations subtly helps tell each story in expected ways.
Talk to Your Kids About ...
Families can talk the way media sometimes characterizes the state of Florida. Do TV shows like R.J. Decker perpetuate stereotypes about the state and the people who live there?
How does R.J. Decker use his camera to solve cases? What can he see through a lens that others cannot?
TV Details
- Premiere date : March 2, 2026
- Cast : Scott Speedman , Bevin Bru , Jaina Lee Ortiz
- Network : Hulu
- Genre : Comedy
- Topics : Book Characters , Friendship
- Character Strengths : Perseverance , Teamwork
- TV rating :
- Last updated : March 10, 2026
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