Scott Speedman's R.j. Decker lands Season 2 renewal at ABC
ABC has renewed r.j. decker for a second season, keeping Scott Speedman’s freshman drama on the schedule for 2026-27. The decision locks in the network’s full scripted lineup for next season and leaves ABC with 10 scripted renewals and no cancellations.
March debut, 15.21 million viewers
Speedman leads the series as a former newspaper photographer and ex-con who starts over as a private investigator in South Florida. The show also stars Jaina Lee Ortiz, Bevin Bru, Kevin Rankin and Adelaide Clemens, with Rob Doherty as showrunner, writer and executive producer. ABC launched the series in March behind flagship drama High Potential, and that debut became the network’s best 10 PM drama premiere on linear in more than five years.
Over 15.21 million total viewers watched the series across 35 days of multiplatform viewing on ABC, Hulu, Hulu on Disney+ and digital platforms. That kind of cross-platform reach matters more than a single-night linear number, especially for a drama that had been described as on the bubble because its live ratings lagged behind Will Trent and High Potential.
ABC's 10 scripted renewals
ABC’s renewal sweep covers seven dramas and three comedies, all part of the network’s current scripted slate. The final scripted renewal decision for the 2026-27 season arrives with zero shows canceled, a cleaner outcome than a normal spring slate shuffle and one that keeps the network from having to replace any of its existing scripted hours.
Produced by 20th Television, r.j. decker is inspired by Carl Hiaasen’s novel Double Whammy. Carl Beverly, Sarah Timberman, Carl Hiaasen and Jason Tracey are also executive producers, and Speedman serves as a producer as well. ABC’s bet is clear: the show earned enough audience across linear and streaming to justify a second season, even after a wobbly start and pilot reshoots tied to recasting.
Scott Speedman's ABC lineup
Late last month, Speedman appeared at Disney’s TV awards season party alongside talent from ABC series that had already been renewed, a small but telling sign of where the network was leaning. With r.j. decker now locked in, ABC can move into the 2026-27 season without a scripted gap to fill from this title.
