If you want a dark, bleak, and compelling thriller series, you have more than a few to choose from. Pick any Harlan Coben Netflix series, and it’s hard to imagine not being entertained for hours. When you want a light-hearted crime story, it can be a little trickier. That’s why High Potential stands out. Kaitlin Olson is unforgettable as Morgan Gillory, a single parent with an impressively high IQ who consults with the Los Angeles Police Department. The series tells emotional stories about solving crimes and also manages to be funny, which is fairly rare.
R.J. Decker is another recent TV series with the same tone, strong character development, and a similar premise. Season 2 is currently airing, and it’s one of the most exciting fall 2026 series. It has a great cast, including a talented main star, and has the potential (no pun intended) to continue.
‘R.J. Decker’ Is the Perfect TV Show For Anyone Who Loves ‘High Potential’
High Potential and R.J. Decker have a lot in common, from comedic moments to a main character who is more interesting than your standard detective. Scott Speedman plays the main character, who has started a career as a private investigator after a challenging time in his life. After spending time in prison for assaulting someone who took his camera, he is now free and dealing with the highs and lows of his distinctive career. Adapted from the novel Double Whammy by Carl Hiaasen, the series is set in South Florida, a location that I think is more fun to watch than the typical big city seen in most procedural TV shows.
R.J. Decker‘s short seasons make it a perfect binge-watch. Season 1 (which had nine episodes) aired from March to April 2026 on ABC. Season 2 premiered on Sept. 15, 2026, and will have seven episodes. I’m impressed that both seasons aired this year.(Stranger Things: Tales from ’85 is another example of this quick release schedule, as the first season premiered in April and the second season dropped on Netflix on September 17.)
One big reason to catch up and tune into Season 2 is to watch Beau Bridges play R.J.’s dad, Reggie. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Speedman shared how the second season is focusing on who R.J. is when he’s off the clock. The actor said:
“This year, we put an emphasis on getting to know R.J., his family and his personal life — how he is in romantic situations and coming out of romantic situations, how his work has affected his personal life, and all those types of things.”
That’s exciting to hear, as I’m sure I’m not alone in saying that the best part of crime thrillers or dramas isn’t necessarily the crimes being investigated but the people doing this tough detective work. I watch The Rookie for the character arcs, and I’m not as concerned with what criminal they’re chasing or what villain is wreaking havoc. Season 2 of R.J. Decker will also remind you of High Potential since both shows feature main characters dealing with mysteries in their family lives that bring them pain and suffering. Whereas Morgan is trying to find Roman, her daughter’s father, who went missing, R.J. now has to deal with his dad, who he doesn’t have a close relationship with.
R.J. Decker works well as a star vehicle for Scott Speedman, who I’ve always enjoyed watching. Whether he’s playing a major or minor role, he’s often endearing. After watching him portray college student Ben Covington on Felicity for four seasons, a character who makes frustrating decisions because of his youth and immaturity, I’ve taken note of his other big roles. The actor is quite versatile, whether he’s appearing in Season 2 of the Netflix comedy Running Point or playing James Chenoweth on the short-lived horror series Teacup. It was also fun seeing him play a small role as Matthew Engler in Season 3 of the Netflix thriller You, which also happens to be my favorite season. Although Matthew isn’t the most compelling side character on the series, he’s fairly mysterious, and Speedman conveys quite a lot with a few quick facial expressions.
Like High Potential, R.J. Decker asks questions about identity and how someone can pivot when their life turns out differently than they assumed. That’s something many people grapple with, although perhaps not quite as intensely as R.J. does. It’s impressive when someone has a game plan or roadmap, but it’s even more interesting when things go wrong and they realize they can find happiness anyway. If you want a great binge-worthy series about a character’s second act, this is it.
- Release Date
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March 3, 2026
- Network
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ABC
- Directors
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Paul McGuigan, Christine Moore, Holly Dale, Kenneth Biller, Michael Lehmann, Seith Mann
- Writers
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Robert Doherty, Jason Tracey, Liz Friedman, Jamie Savarese, Juan Carlos Fernandez, Kenneth Biller