dp“R.J. Decker” returns Tuesday, Sept. 15, and the cast is getting a bit of a shakeup for season 2.
Warning: Spoilers ahead of season 1 of “R.J. Decker.”
David Zayas won’t be back for season 2, because his character, Victor Ochoa, was killed during the season 1 finale. Season 2 will kick off with the investigation into the corrupt politician’s murder.
During an April interview with TV Insider, “R.J. Decker” showrunner Rob Doherty admitted he had “second thoughts” about killing off Victor after casting Zayas.
“[Zayas] is just a remarkable person and actor. He was just so much fun to watch and interact with,” Doherty said. “ In my book, he’s TV royalty. Ultimately, though, we had to say goodbye to Victor, but we’ll miss David.”
The rest of the “R.J. Decker” cast will reprise their roles in season 2. Scott Speedman (R.J. Decker), Jaina Lee Ortiz (Emi Ochoa), Kevin Rankin (Wish Aiken), Adelaide Clemens (Catherine Delacroix) and Bevin Bru (Mel Abreu) are all set to return.
There will also be a fresh face in season 2. Beau Bridges is joining the cast as Reggie Decker, R.J.’s estranged father. Reggie is described as “garrulous, charming and perennially optimistic.” A self-proclaimed entrepreneur, he has a “fondness for empty promises and unreliable behavior.”
Introducing Reggie will help flesh out R.J.’s backstory in season 2 of the crime drama.
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“One of the things we wanted to do in the second season was to look more closely at who R.J. is, aside from the fact that he spent 18 months in prison for something he only sort of did,” Doherty told TVLine earlier this month. “We’ll learn a little bit more about what R.J.’s childhood was like, and we’ll explore the path that led him here.”
“R.J. Decker” is based on Carl Hiaasen’s 1987 novel “Double Whammy.” The titular character is an ex-convict and former newspaper photographer who starts a new life as a private investigator in South Florida.
Season 2 of “R.J. Decker” premieres on ABC on Tuesday, Sept. 15, at 10 p.m. ET. Episodes are available to stream on Hulu after they air.
