ABC's Detective Crime Series Is A Global Streaming Smash At The Perfect Time

Published Jul 17, 2026, 4:07 PM EDT Adam Bentz is a senior news writer at ScreenRant, where he has authored nearly 5,000 articles, including features and lists. He studied creative writing and English with a concentration in screenwriting at Southern New Hampshire University and interned as a writer/journalist for The Borgen Project, an influential organization that fights global poverty. However, one of his proudest achievements is editing a Leonardo DiCaprio freakout compilation that has over 150K views on YouTube. Adam also fancies himself an amateur film critic on his personal website. ABC's detective crime series has cracked the case and become a global streaming hit at exactly the right time. From classic whodunits like Columbo (1971–1978) to more modern investigations in NYPD Blue (1993–2005), Castle (2009–2016), and The Rookie (2018–present), ABC's detective shows have kept viewers hooked for decades. Its latest crime dramas continue attracting audiences worldwide, including one that has become a global streaming hit at an ideal time. Over four months after its premiere, R.J. Decker has become a global streaming smash at the perfect time. Premiered in early March, ABC's crime drama follows a disgraced newspaper photographer and ex-con who starts over as a private investigator in South Florida, tackling unusual cases alongside his journalist ex, her police officer wife, and a mysterious woman from his past. Now, R.J. Decker is No. 4 on the Top 10 TV shows on Disney+ for today, July 17. It ranks below Bluey Compilations in first place, X-Men '97, The Testaments, and above Sofia the First: Royal Magic, High Potential, Perfect Crown, Malcolm in the Middle: Life's Still Unfair, How I Met Your Mother, and Doctor on the Edge in 10th place. The cast includes Scott Speedman as R.J. Decker, alongside Jaina Lee Ortiz, Kevin Rankin, Adelaide Clemens, and Bevin Bru in main roles, with Mélodie Rose Romano in a recurring role. The show was created by Robert Doherty based on the 1987 novel Double Whammy by Carl Hiaasen. Guest stars include David Zayas, Rizwan Manji, Stephen Bishop, and many more. R.J. Decker has received positive reviews from critics and audiences, resulting in 78% and 73% Rotten Tomatoes scores, respectively. The show's streaming success is just the latest example of its strong viewership, as the series premiere drew 15.2 million viewers across multiple platforms in its first 35 days, making it ABC's most-watched 10 p.m. drama debut in over five years. ABC Press Across season 1's nine episodes, R.J. Decker averaged 3.2 million viewers on ABC in the U.S. and frequently appears on Disney+ and Hulu's Top 10 TV shows. In turn, R.J. Decker season 2 was renewed in May, and the show's latest streaming surge comes at the perfect time, as season 2's production is underway, currently filming in Wilmington, North Carolina. While an exact premiere date has not yet been announced, R.J. Decker season 2 is slated to be part of the network's fall lineup, suggesting that the new season will debut in late September 2026. Release Date March 3, 2026 Network ABC Cast Ellen Marguerite Cullivan Lawyer Creator(s) Carl Hiaasen, Rob Doherty