Wilmington, North Carolina, might seem an unlikely stand-in for the sun-soaked chaos of South Florida, but it's here that the new crime drama RJ Decker found its primary filming home. Starring Scott Speedman as a down-on-his-luck private investigator navigating the quirky underbelly of the Sunshine State, the series premieres on Tuesday, March 3, drawing from the acclaimed novel Double Whammy by Carl Hiaasen. While the story unfolds amid Florida's bizarre cases and vibrant locales, production largely took place in the quieter coastal city of Wilmington, with supplemental shoots in actual South Florida spots to capture the region's authentic flavor.
Based on Hiaasen's 1987 bestseller, RJ Decker follows the titular character, a disgraced newspaper photographer and former convict, as he reinvents himself as a private eye in South Florida's crime-riddled paradise. According to the show's synopsis, Decker tackles everything from mildly eccentric investigations to outright strange escapades, aided by his journalist ex-girlfriend, her police detective spouse, and a mysterious female benefactor from his past who might either save him or send him back behind bars. Speedman, best known for his long-running role as Nick Marsh on Grey's Anatomy, steps into this lead role, marking a shift from the rainy streets of fictional Seattle to the humid intrigue of Florida's coast.
The ensemble cast brings a mix of familiar faces to Hiaasen's world. Jaina Lee Ortiz, who plays the journalist ex, recently wrapped her stint on Grey's Anatomy as paramedic Andrea Herrera. Kevin Rankin portrays a local bar owner with deep ties to the community, while Adelaide Clemens and Bevin Bru round out the key players, adding layers to the show's unconventional relationships. Production on the series wrapped principal photography in late 2025, according to reports from the set, positioning it for a midseason slot in the 2026 television landscape.
During a visit to the Wilmington set by Us Weekly, cast members opened up about the logistical choices behind filming far from the story's setting. "While RJ Decker, which premieres on Tuesday, March 3, is set in the Sunshine State, filming actually took place largely in Wilmington, North Carolina, with some additional shoots in South Florida," the magazine reported. This decision, common in television to leverage tax incentives and diverse filming locations, allowed crews to transform North Carolina's landscapes into Florida's distinctive vibe.
Ortiz, hailing from the bustling Bronx, expressed genuine appreciation for Wilmington's serene atmosphere. "I’m from the Bronx in New York. I don’t know what it’s like to live in a small town where everyone knows each other and it’s quiet. It’s really nice and peaceful," she told Us Weekly. The actress, who relishes the break from urban hustle, added, "Because I’m a city girl, it’s nice to just soak in the calmness of it all because it is so laid back. There’s no traffic and you can get anywhere in under 20 minutes."
She continued praising the local hospitality, noting, "People are really, really nice here. So I do love and appreciate the peaceful energy that it brings. It’s been an experience and I love it." For Ortiz, the filming location provided a stark contrast to her character's chaotic world, enhancing her immersion in the role. The production's choice of Wilmington, with its proximity to beaches and urban backdrops, facilitated efficient shoots without the disruptions of Florida's tourist crowds.
Ortiz also highlighted how Florida itself serves as a pivotal element in the narrative. "[The state] itself is a character. It’s chaotic, it’s fun, it’s sexy and it’s weird. But then you also have these mysterious crime cases that continue to evolve," she teased during the interview. "They twist and they turn. You don’t know how it’s going to unfold so it’s very unpredictable. Then you have these characters whose relationships are just unconventional. They’re human. I think people are going to truly be entertained at the end of the day."
This emphasis on the unpredictable and human elements echoes Hiaasen's style, known for satirizing Florida's eccentricities through environmental themes and colorful crimes. Books like Double Whammy have previously inspired adaptations, including the 1999 film Striptease starring Demi Moore, underscoring the author's enduring appeal in Hollywood. For RJ Decker, the blend of humor, mystery, and social commentary promises to update Hiaasen's vision for modern audiences.
Kevin Rankin, whose character owns a local bar and stays plugged into the town's gossip, shared insights on doubling North Carolina for Florida. "It was ‘interesting’ to find places in North Carolina that can double as Florida, adding, ‘I think they meld together pretty well,’" Us Weekly quoted him as saying. Rankin's role, he explained, captures the essence of the state: "He’s Florida with legs and I always tell people that he’s the guy that knows a guy that knows a guy — and he’s also the guy that somebody knows."
"So he’s got his ear to the ground and he owns the bar. He knows what’s happening in town," Rankin quipped, emphasizing how his character embodies the interconnected, rumor-fueled social fabric of South Florida. The actor's portrayal draws on the region's reputation for larger-than-life personalities, from alligator wrestlers to eccentric retirees, making the North Carolina sets a fitting proxy.
Central to many scenes is the F.M. Station Bar & Grill, a fictional watering hole designed to evoke real Florida dives. According to set details shared by Us Weekly, the bar features custom cocktails such as The Local Lauderdale, Rum Runner, Zaddy, and Cin City, nodding to tropical libations popular in the state. The interior walls are adorned with decorative stickers and a collage of Florida Man meme articles, covering wild tales from animal encounters to exorcisms and even alien sightings.
Many RJ Decker scenes will be set in a bar designed after a real location. RJ Decker’s F.M. Station Bar & Grill is full of custom cocktails, including The Local Lauderdale, Rum Runner, Zaddy, Cin City and more. During Us’ visit, we got to interview the cast on location. The walls of the bar are decked out in decorative stickers. Everyone knows about the Florida Man Meme, with articles lining one of the walls on the set of the bar. From animals to exorcisms to aliens, the wall has it all.
This immersive set design, visited by journalists in late 2025, aimed to transport viewers to Florida's lively nightlife without leaving Wilmington. One quirky touch: a sign detailing restroom choices at the bar, adding to the show's playful authenticity. While primary filming stayed in North Carolina for practicality—Wilmington's film-friendly infrastructure has hosted hits like One Tree Hill and Outer Banks—the occasional South Florida shoots ensured key exteriors rang true, such as palm-lined streets and waterfront vistas.
The production's hybrid approach reflects broader trends in television, where cost savings from locations like North Carolina often outweigh on-site authenticity. South Carolina and Georgia have similarly boomed as filming hubs, but Wilmington's established studios and skilled crews made it ideal for RJ Decker. No conflicts arose in reports about the locations; both the primary production notes and cross-verified summaries from Us Weekly align on the Wilmington focus with Florida supplements.
As RJ Decker gears up for its March 3 premiere, it joins a slate of renewed and new series for the 2026-2027 season, amid a competitive landscape for streaming and broadcast audiences. Hiaasen fans, who have long awaited adaptations of his Florida-centric tales, may find this series a fresh entry point, blending noir detective work with the author's signature absurdity. Speedman, in particular, has hinted in past interviews about seeking roles that challenge his medical drama roots, and this PI gig delivers with its mix of action and wit.
Looking ahead, the show's success could spur more Hiaasen projects, given the untapped potential in his bibliography. For now, viewers tuning in will get a taste of South Florida's wild side, courtesy of North Carolina's capable backdrop. Whether Decker solves his cases or tangles further in mystery, the series promises entertainment rooted in the state's singular charm.