Scott Speedman Highly Recommends Smashing a TV for Fun

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The new ABC show, RJ Decker, perfectly captures the quirky spirit of Florida. Based on Carl Hiaasen’s novel Double Whammy, the series follows Scott Speedman as a former photojournalist turned private investigator who tackles unusual cases in Fort Lauderdale. The main character has a complicated history – he’s done time, lives in a trailer, and shares space with his ex-wife’s current wife, who also happens to be a police detective. While Scott Speedman was recently known for his role on Grey’s Anatomy, he takes center stage in RJ Decker, bringing a relaxed and humorous energy to the sunny Florida setting. Vulture recently attended a screening of the first episode and spoke with Speedman about his work on the show, including his willingness to do his own stunts and break props.

This episode throws a lot at you – creepy clowns, dangerous sinkholes, and shady plastic surgeons. It’s basically a typical day in Florida, but a ton of craziness packed into one TV show! I knew when I first read the script that we had something special if we could make it work. The production designer and the entire team did an amazing job bringing it to life. For example, the trailer park set was entirely built by the crew in Wilmington, North Carolina. And filming in Florida itself really captured the show’s vibe – stepping off the plane, you instantly feel like you’re in the world of the show. Hopefully, we’ll be able to film there more as the series continues.

I first came across this project about a year ago. I read the script on a weekend and was immediately captivated, even though I knew it would be a lot of work. I honestly wondered if they’d go for a more comedic approach and hire someone with experience in that area. But I submitted my name anyway, and eventually, the opportunity came back to me. I felt confident I could do a great job, and I was really enthusiastic about it. It was a fantastic pilot – those are notoriously difficult to write and bring to life effectively. I feel very fortunate that it all came together so well.

When starting a new TV show, actors have to quickly establish their character – showing both their funny side and giving the audience a sense of who they are, all while moving the story forward. But figuring out that balance is mostly the show creator’s job. I definitely think about it, but thankfully I don’t have to stress over it too much. I’ve seen a lot of pilots fail over the years because they couldn’t strike that balance. Sometimes the actors didn’t click, or the show just didn’t translate well from the script to the screen. This time, though, with my experience, I had a good feeling about this project. And after meeting the cast and doing a table read, I knew we had something special.

I’ve always been a fan of detective stories. In my twenties, I devoured the work of writers like Jim Thompson, becoming really familiar with the genre. While I hadn’t done a traditional police procedural before, this show balances the crime-solving with personal relationships, which makes it engaging for me. Honestly, I’m constantly impressed by the creativity of the writers and how they come up with these weekly cases – it’s amazing! You’d probably get a better explanation of their process from them, though.

Some viewers like to try and solve mysteries before the story reveals the answer, and I wondered if that’s how I approach a script. Honestly, my first thought is usually just how much dialogue I need to learn! But I also try to enjoy the story and understand where the writers are leading the audience. I look for things that don’t quite make sense and might need clarification from the writer. Mostly, though, I prefer to let the story unfold naturally. I’m getting better at anticipating twists, though – kind of like a detective! Hopefully, by the fourth season, I’ll be a pro at figuring things out.

You currently star in two shows on ABC. Would you ever consider having your characters appear on Grey’s Anatomy in a crossover episode? A crossover between Grey’s Anatomy and RJ Decker would be difficult to pull off, mainly because the shows are filmed in different states—Seattle and Florida. It’s funny to imagine my character showing up at the hospital to solve a case, and the doctors questioning why! Still, it would definitely make for compelling television.

That scene where you tear the TV off the wall and destroy it looks incredibly satisfying and enjoyable. Was it as fun to film as it appears?

People were wondering if that shot was filmed in one continuous take, or if they used multiple TVs to create the illusion. We did a few takes, but the crew was really concerned about my bare feet. I wasn’t wearing boots then, so I reassured them everything was fine.

It’s surprisingly enjoyable to buy an old television and break it! I’ve actually done this before, just for fun, and I can tell you it’s a good stress reliever. It’s a really satisfying activity.

Someone asked if I do my own stunts. I try to, but our producer, Carl Beverly, usually stops me. He’ll hear me practicing and come tell me I can’t risk it, and I listen to him. But starting with season four, I’m planning to take on more of the stunts myself.

I was thinking about doing something really dangerous – like running across a busy highway! I figured I could just run and the cars would stop for me. But then I saw a professional stuntman do it, and I realized how crazy my idea was. It’s a good thing I didn’t try that!

It wasn’t actually like driving on a normal highway; it was more like a dangerous stunt. They were going incredibly fast, and it was frightening to watch. Still, I think I could have handled it myself.

When preparing for the role and the show, how much did you rely on the source material? Well, I started reading the book, but I didn’t get very far. The character in the book felt very different – more of a classic, stoic, and angry figure from the 80s. Our version was much more lively, charming, and outgoing. I found myself getting a little… not confused, exactly, but distracted by how different the book’s character was. I really didn’t want to play a dark or heavy character. I wanted to play the character as written in the script, which felt really fun and engaging. As soon as I read it, I thought, This is a character I want to play – I need to embrace that. So, I honestly put the book down and didn’t finish it. Sorry about that!

I know some of you are wondering if the show will follow the book exactly, and if you can skip ahead to find out what happens. Well, the show is actually using one specific case from the book as a basis for a storyline – we really loved the world and characters, so we brought that into the show. We will get to that case eventually, but it hasn’t happened yet, so you’ll have to keep watching to find out!

You’ve worked on big-budget films, independent movies, and streaming series. What do you enjoy most about being part of a traditional network procedural show like this one, which feels like a fun, nostalgic throwback? Well, this is the first time I’ve been the absolute lead of a show. I’ve played leading roles before, and supported the main star often, but never where I am the main character, working long hours and being in almost every scene, driving the story forward. That aspect, I’ve really enjoyed a lot.

It definitely feels like a return to classic television, and honestly, fifteen years ago I wouldn’t have had the energy for a show with eighteen episodes a season. But I’m at a point in my life where I’m excited about that kind of challenge, and I genuinely enjoy a demanding workload. When a project with this team and this feel came along, it was an easy decision. I think audiences are also craving this kind of show—something reminiscent of series like The Rockford Files, Columbo, and Magnum, P.I. There’s not much like it on TV anymore, and I’m really pleased to be a part of it.

Just one more question: out of all the characters you’ve played, who do you think would most likely ditch everything and start a new life in Florida as a private investigator? I’d say probably Ben Covington from Felicity. He’s the type of guy who’s always searching for something, paid or not. It wouldn’t surprise me at all if he ended up as a PI – there’s definitely a bit of that vibe with him.

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2026-03-05 20:56