ABC's High Potential Replacement Series Continues Streaming Domination Ahead Of Return
ABC's High Potential Replacement Series Is Officially Dominating Streaming
ABC's next big crime drama is building momentum at exactly the right time.
High Potential was originally expected to reclaim ABC's Tuesday lineup this fall after becoming one of the network's biggest breakout hits. Instead, the Kaitlin Olson-led procedural was pushed back to midseason, opening the door for R.J. Decker to inherit its coveted 10 p.m. time slot. With season 2 only weeks away, the timing couldn't be working out much better for ABC, as the freshman drama is already climbing the streaming charts ahead of its return.
According to FlixPatrol, the Scott Speedman-led crime drama is currently ranked No. 7 among Disney+'s Top TV Shows in the United States, continuing its impressive streaming run just weeks before season 2 premieres. The timing is especially encouraging, as the series returns to ABC on September 15, taking over the Tuesday nighttime slot previously occupied by High Potential.
Inspired by Carl Hiaasen's 1987 novel Double Whammy, R.J. Decker stars Speedman as a disgraced newspaper photographer and former convict who reinvents himself as a private investigator in South Florida. Alongside an unlikely group of allies that includes his ex-wife Catherine (Adelaide Clemens), her spouse and detective Mel Abreu (Bevin Bru), and former cellmate Wish Aiken (Kevin Rankin), Decker tackles unusual cases while trying to rebuild the life that unraveled after his wrongful imprisonment.
The show is experiencing steady success on Disney+. While ABC renewed R.J. Decker for season 2 back in May, many viewers are now either discovering the series for the first time or catching up before the new episodes arrive. With season 1 available on both Disney+ and Hulu, the streaming performance is setting a positive landscape moving into the sophomore season.
Season 2 will have plenty to build upon after the explosive season 1 finale. After finally uncovering the conspiracy that led to his prison sentence and exposing corrupt politician Victor Ochoa, R.J. seemingly cleared his name. However, the celebration was short-lived when Victor was mysteriously murdered only hours after his arrest, instantly placing R.J. and those closest to him under suspicion.
Speaking with PEOPLE earlier this year, Speedman teased that the shocking ending dramatically changes the direction of the series moving forward. "It raises the stakes for the character and the show itself," Speedman said. "He's going to be one of the number one suspects, and that whole group is going to be put into the spotlight."
Showrunner Rob Doherty has also confirmed that the mystery surrounding Victor's death will drive much of season 2, while further complicating R.J.'s growing relationship with Emi Ochoa (Jaina Lee Ortiz), who continues to wrestle with the fallout surrounding her father's corruption and death.
With its return just over a month away, R.J. Decker appears to be benefiting from exactly the kind of pre-premiere momentum every network hopes to see.