R.J. Decker is a crime drama series developed by Rob Doherty and inspired by author Carl Hiaasen’s novel Double Whammy. The show stars Scott Speedman, Adelaide Clemens, Bevin Bru, Kevin Rankin, and Jaina Lee Ortiz.
The story follows an ex-con photographer named R.J. Decker who becomes a private investigator in South Florida. As he works on strange and dangerous cases, he gets help from his journalist ex, her police officer wife, and a mysterious woman from his past. The show mixes crime, humor, and mystery while exploring the strange side of Florida life.
The story centers on R.J. Decker, a former photographer who recently left prison. He starts working as a private investigator in South Florida. While solving unusual cases, he faces criminals, secrets, and strange situations. With help from old friends and unexpected allies, Decker slowly builds a new life while uncovering dangerous truths.
The series premiered on March 3, 2026. The show airs on ABC and streams on Hulu.
Table of Contents
When and Where Was ABC’s R.J. Decker Filmed?
| Film Name | R.J. Decker |
|---|---|
| Genres | Crime, Drama, Action |
| Filming Locations | Wilmington, North Carolina; Carolina Beach, North Carolina; Fort Fisher, North Carolina; West Palm Beach, Florida; Miami, Florida |
| Filming Dates | July 2025 – Early 2026 |
| Cinematography by | Oliver Bokelberg, Ron Fortunato |
| Release Date | March 3, 2026 |
Although R.J. Decker is set in South Florida, most of the filming actually took place in North Carolina. Production used the city of Wilmington as the main filming hub. Coastal areas like Carolina Beach and Fort Fisher were used to recreate Florida’s beaches and marshlands. To make the setting feel real, the production team also captured some establishing shots in West Palm Beach and Miami, Florida.
📍Wilmington, North Carolina
Wilmington served as the main production base for R.J. Decker. Many indoor and city scenes were filmed here because the city has strong film infrastructure and a flexible downtown area that can easily resemble South Florida neighborhoods.
Several important locations in Wilmington appear in the series. The New Hanover County Courthouse was used for courtroom scenes connected to Decker’s legal troubles and investigations. The Alton Lennon Federal Building and Courthouse also appears in exterior shots representing government offices.
Another interesting location is the Brooklyn Arts Center, known for its gothic-style architecture. This building helped create a dramatic background for some intense scenes in the show. The White Front Diner on 17th Street was used as a recurring meeting place where Decker and other characters gather during investigations.
📍Carolina Beach, North Carolina
Many beach scenes meant to represent Florida were filmed at Carolina Beach. The location has sandy shores and a relaxed coastal feel that closely matches South Florida.
The Seawitch Cafe & Tiki Bar appears in several episodes as a casual beach hangout where characters meet and talk. The Carolina Beach Boardwalk was also used for tourist-style scenes and outdoor action sequences. During filming, production crews even closed parts of North Lake Park Boulevard for large outdoor scenes.
📍Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, North Carolina
Some of the more rugged coastal scenes were filmed at Fort Fisher State Recreation Area. This location features natural dunes, open shoreline, and windswept coastal views.
The area was used to represent remote parts of South Florida where some of the story’s mysterious events take place. The wide beaches and wild landscape helped create a dramatic and slightly isolated atmosphere for key scenes in the series.
📍West Palm Beach, Florida
To keep the story connected to its Florida setting, the production team filmed several establishing shots in West Palm Beach. These shots help show the upscale and political environment of Palm Beach County, which plays an important role in the show’s story.
The city’s coastal skyline and luxury waterfront areas help set the tone for some of the more powerful characters in the series.
📍Miami, Florida
The team also filmed a few exterior and skyline shots in Miami. These scenes show famous waterfront views and the city’s recognizable skyline.
Even though most of the show was filmed in North Carolina, these Miami shots help remind viewers that the story takes place in South Florida.
R.J. Decker Behind the Scenes
To make your search for R.J. Decker filming even more interesting and enjoyable, we shared a behind-the-scenes photo here.
The cast and production team also shared glimpses from the filming process on their social media accounts, especially Instagram. These posts show scenes from Wilmington sets, beach filming days, and behind-the-camera moments with the cast.
For more information about other shooting locations, stay tuned to this post. We will add more updates as new filming details become available.
Is there any trailer available for R.J. Decker?
Yes, the official trailer for R.J. Decker was released on the ABC YouTube channel. The trailer gives viewers a first look at Scott Speedman as the unusual private investigator solving strange crimes across South Florida.
R.J. Decker was released on March 3, 2026 via ABC and Hulu.
FAQs
Q1: Where was R.J. Decker filmed?
A1: R.J. Decker was mainly filmed in Wilmington, North Carolina, with additional filming in Carolina Beach, Fort Fisher, West Palm Beach, and Miami.
Q2: What scenes were filmed at Wilmington in R.J. Decker?
A2: Many key scenes in R.J. Decker, including courtroom and investigation scenes, were filmed in Wilmington at locations such as the New Hanover County Courthouse and Brooklyn Arts Center.
Q3: When did the filming for R.J. Decker begin?
A3: Filming for R.J. Decker started with the pilot episode in July 2025, and full production continued from November 2025 into early 2026.
Q4: Can I visit the filming locations of R.J. Decker?
A4: Yes, many R.J. Decker filming locations are open to visitors. Places like Carolina Beach, Fort Fisher State Recreation Area, and areas in Wilmington, North Carolina can be visited by the public.
The crime drama R.J. Decker may be set in South Florida, but much of the series was filmed in North Carolina, especially in Wilmington and Carolina Beach. These locations helped recreate the look of Florida’s beaches, cities, and mysterious coastal areas. With a mix of real Florida skyline shots and detailed filming sets, the series creates a believable and engaging world for its detective story.
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