A new ABC crime procedural series filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina, has unveiled its initial promo trailer. Titled 'RJ Decker,' the show stars Scott Speedman as a chaotic private investigator and is set for a mid-season debut in the 2025-26 television season. Production continues in the area, drawing on local locations to bring its story to life.
The series 'RJ Decker' began production with its pilot episode filmed in the Wilmington area during the summer of 2025, followed by additional episodes starting in November. Described as an edgy, humor-infused crime procedural, it draws from Carl Hiaasen's 1987 novel Double Whammy. The show follows a private eye portrayed as "a private eye, and a public mess," navigating investigations amid personal chaos.
The recently released trailer opens dramatically with the discovery of a body in a car trunk and features glimpses of Wilmington, including shots outside a beach hotel and a downtown parking deck where Speedman's character engages in a romantic encounter. While some B-roll relocates the narrative to Miami, the production has utilized numerous local sites. Filming permits indicate shoots at residential areas like Churchill Drive and Shirley Road, eateries such as the White Front diner on Market Street, and public buildings including the New Hanover County Courthouse and the Alton Lennon Federal Building. Other spots encompass CC Grissom & Sons auto repair shop, Lake Forest Baptist Church, Ly Nails on Sigmon Road, Julia’s Florist on S. Kerr Avenue, and the Brooklyn Arts Center.
Scott Speedman, known for roles in Felicity and Grey's Anatomy, leads the cast and serves as a producer. He is joined by Kevin Rankin from Breaking Bad, Adelaide Clemens of X-Men Origins: Wolverine and Silent Hill: Revelation, and Bevin Bru from Batwoman. The pilot was penned by Rob Doherty, creator of Elementary and executive producer on Medium, and directed by Paul McGuigan, whose film credits include Lucky Number Slevin.
No specific premiere date has been announced, with the trailer simply stating "coming soon" to ABC. Episodes will stream on Hulu the day after their network airing, positioning 'RJ Decker' as a mid-season replacement for the 2025-26 schedule.
