If you need a darkish, bleak, and compelling thriller collection, you might have various to select from. Decide any Harlan Coben Netflix collection, and it is exhausting to think about not being entertained for hours. Whenever you need a light-hearted crime story, it may be a bit of trickier. That is why Excessive Potential stands out. Kaitlin Olson is unforgettable as Morgan Gillory, a single dad or mum with an impressively excessive IQ who consults with the Los Angeles Police Division. The collection tells emotional tales about fixing crimes and in addition manages to be humorous, which is pretty uncommon.
R.J. Decker is one other latest TV collection with the identical tone, sturdy character improvement, and an analogous premise. Season 2 is at present airing, and it is one of the crucial thrilling fall 2026 collection. It has an ideal forged, together with a gifted primary star, and has the potential (no pun meant) to proceed.
‘R.J. Decker’ Is the Good TV Present For Anybody Who Loves ‘Excessive Potential’
Excessive Potential and R.J. Decker have quite a bit in widespread, from comedic moments to a primary character who’s extra attention-grabbing than your customary detective. Scott Speedman performs the principle character, who has began a profession as a personal investigator after a difficult time in his life. After spending time in jail for assaulting somebody who took his digital camera, he’s now free and coping with the highs and lows of his distinctive profession. Tailored from the novel Double Whammy by Carl Hiaasen, the collection is about in South Florida, a location that I feel is extra enjoyable to observe than the everyday massive metropolis seen in most procedural TV reveals.
R.J. Decker‘s brief seasons make it an ideal binge-watch. Season 1 (which had 9 episodes) aired from March to April 2026 on ABC. Season 2 premiered on Sept. 15, 2026, and may have seven episodes. I am impressed that each seasons aired this 12 months.(Stranger Issues: Tales from ’85 is one other instance of this fast launch schedule, as the primary season premiered in April and the second season dropped on Netflix on September 17.)
One massive purpose to catch up and tune into Season 2 is to observe Beau Bridges play R.J.’s dad, Reggie. In an interview with The Hollywood Reporter, Speedman shared how the second season is specializing in who R.J. is when he is off the clock. The actor stated:
“This 12 months, we put an emphasis on attending to know R.J., his household and his private life — how he’s in romantic conditions and popping out of romantic conditions, how his work has affected his private life, and all these varieties of issues.”
That is thrilling to listen to, as I am positive I am not alone in saying that the very best a part of crime thrillers or dramas is not essentially the crimes being investigated however the individuals doing this powerful detective work. I watch The Rookie for the character arcs, and I am not as involved with what felony they’re chasing or what villain is wreaking havoc. Season 2 of R.J. Decker may also remind you of Excessive Potential since each reveals function primary characters coping with mysteries of their household lives that carry them ache and struggling. Whereas Morgan is looking for Roman, her daughter’s father, who went lacking, R.J. now has to cope with his dad, who he does not have a detailed relationship with.
R.J. Decker works nicely as a star automobile for Scott Speedman, who I’ve all the time loved watching. Whether or not he is taking part in a serious or minor position, he is typically endearing. After watching him painting faculty scholar Ben Covington on Felicity for 4 seasons, a personality who makes irritating selections due to his youth and immaturity, I’ve taken be aware of his different massive roles. The actor is sort of versatile, whether or not he is showing in Season 2 of the Netflix comedy Operating Level or taking part in James Chenoweth on the short-lived horror collection Teacup. It was additionally enjoyable seeing him play a small position as Matthew Engler in Season 3 of the Netflix thriller You, which additionally occurs to be my favourite season. Though Matthew is not essentially the most compelling aspect character on the collection, he is pretty mysterious, and Speedman conveys rather a lot with a couple of fast facial expressions.
Like Excessive Potential, R.J. Decker asks questions on identification and the way somebody can pivot when their life seems in another way than they assumed. That is one thing many individuals grapple with, though maybe not fairly as intensely as R.J. does. It is spectacular when somebody has a sport plan or roadmap, nevertheless it’s much more attention-grabbing when issues go incorrect they usually understand they’ll discover happiness anyway. If you need an ideal binge-worthy collection a few character’s second act, that is it.
- Launch Date
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March 3, 2026
- Community
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ABC
- Administrators
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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