Just about everyone loves a good detective or private investigator story, but this is especially true when it’s anchored by a compelling protagonist. In case you’ve already burned through everything Scott Speedman’s “R.J. Decker” has to offer, chances are you need some similar shows to binge. Fortunately, these five series are perfect if you’re craving another “R.J. Decker”-esque crime drama.
There are hundreds of mystery/crime shows out there, but these series feature similar humor and character-driven action as “R.J. Decker.” One entry is even set in the same setting: The colorful, eccentric, and crime-filled world of South Florida created by bestselling satirical novelist Carl Hiaasen. “R.J. Decker” is an adaptation of Hiaasen’s novel “Double Whammy,” but has been adapted to fit a case-of-the-week style suited for TV. So, if you’re searching for another series with the same vibe and quality writing, look no further.
High Potential
ABC has seemingly doubled down when it comes to eccentric crime solving. “High Potential,” starring Kaitlin Olson and Daniel Sunjata, is actually an adaptation of a French TV show, “Haut Potentiel Intellectuel.” Olson plays Morgan, a single mom strapped for cash who lands herself a job as a consultant to the LAPD. She uses savant-like abilities to analyze crime scenes and spot details others can’t. Morgan is eventually partnered up with a more typical police detective, Adam Karadec (Sunjata), and their chemistry is truly a delight.
“High Potential” is most like “R.J. Decker” in that both series manage to balance their comedy with the seriousness of certain crimes. While there are plenty of funny moments, there is also a sincerity on the part of both R.J. and Morgan for the people they try to help. While Morgan is more likely to solve a crime based on some obscure detail at the scene, both series’ well-written characters make them worth watching.
Bad Monkey
“Bad Monkey” is the Apple TV counterpart to “R.J. Decker” when it comes to television adaptations of Carl Hiaasen’s books. The series stars Vince Vaughn as Andrew Yancy, a demoted Florida police detective who gets sucked into a new mystery to solve when some tourists find a body part while on a fishing charter.
Considering that “R.J. Decker” and “Bad Monkey” are both based on Hiaasen’s novels, you’ll find a comfortably similar premise, the familiar backdrop of sunny Florida, and the same style of quirky humor — with the caveat that “Bad Monkey” definitely leans more into comedy. If there’s one distinction that must be made, however, it’s that “Bad Monkey” can be far more explicit and raunchy with its jokes. This is an Apple TV original and doesn’t have the same kind of pressure to censor itself like “R.J. Decker” on ABC.
The Glades
If you’re someone who loves Florida and its ability to yield some of the most bizarre crimes and cases around (shoutout to the “R.J. Decker” Florida Man joke in the pilot), “The Glades” is definitely the next show you should binge. The series follows Matt Passmore as Jim Longworth, a former Chicago police officer who relocates to Florida for an easier life, only to discover that his new home is just as chaotic as his old one. The show also stars Kiele Sanchez and Carlos Gómez. At the time of its premiere, was the most-watched network original drama ever with a whopping 3.6 million viewers for Episode 1 on A&E.
“The Glades” is fairly dated compared to “R.J. Decker.” You can tell it’s a very early-2010s series visually, but there’s still something very charming about it that makes for good television, especially if you like cop shows that don’t try to take themselves too seriously. “The Glades” shares the same basic premise and comedic style as “R.J. Decker,” but is campier when it comes to its action sequences and Passmore’s one-liners.
Elementary
True fans will have noticed by now that “R.J. Decker” is executive produced by Robert Doherty. For those not in the know, Doherty worked on another mystery show for CBS. “Elementary” stars Jonny Lee Miller and Lucy Liu in a modern Sherlock Holmes adaptation following a disgraced Sherlock (Miller) when he moves from London to New York and teams up with Dr. Joan Watson (Liu) to solve the most complex and seemingly unsolvable crime cases.
“Elementary” is one of the most underrated mystery series of all time, and chances are you’ve already seen it if you like “R.J. Decker.” But on the off chance you haven’t, or were simply too young to catch it back when it first premiered, it’s the perfect show for someone who loves mystery served alongside consistent witty banter. This is especially great to experience if you were missing that kind of dynamic from “R.J. Decker,” as R.J. mainly works alone.
Will Trent
Disney/Daniel Delgado Jr.
Rounding out our list is another ABC cop series focused on an incredible yet eccentric detective: “Will Trent.” Based on novels by Karin Slaughter, the procedural follows Special Agent Will Trent (Ramón Rodríguez) as he utilizes his harsh upbringing in the foster care system to become the number one case closer for the Georgia Bureau of Investigation. Georgia isn’t quite the same environment as Florida, but it does allow for a similar contrast between a setting full of sunshine and the darkness lurking beneath.
“R.J. Decker” fans will get a kick out of “Will Trent.” Will often finds himself in tricky situations due to his heart of gold and need to do the right thing, just like R.J. In the pilot episode alone, Will ends up adopting a dog he didn’t necessarily want because he was kind of tricked into believing the shelter might euthanize the dog if he didn’t take it. If you like that situational irony present throughout “R.J. Decker,” you will likely enjoy “Will Trent.”
