Dexter Star Joins ABC’s Detective Series from Classic Crime Novel

David Zayas has joined the cast of ABC’s R.J. Decker in a recurring role. Filmogaz.com reports he will play Victor Ochoa, the crooked state senator tied to Emi Ochoa’s backstory.

Casting and characters

The series stars Scott Speedman as R.J. Decker and Jaina Lee Ortiz as Emi Ochoa. Kevin Rankin, Adelaide Clemens, and Bevin Bru round out the principal cast.

Zayas’s Victor Ochoa is central to Emi’s storyline. The character’s actions help drive the plot that framed R.J. in the past.

Additional recurring and guest performers

• Stephen Bishop as Bruce Vinkour, a real estate developer aiding Emi.
• Guest appearances by Dawnn Lewis, Rich Sommer, Tony Plana, and Tamera Mowry-Housley.
• Also featured: Rizwan Manji, Keith Powell, Olga Merediz, Johanna Braddy, Andy Favreau, and Joseph Lee Anderson.

Source material and creative team

The ABC detective series adapts Carl Hiaasen’s 1987 novel Double Whammy. Robert Doherty created the television version.

Producers include Carl Beverly, Sarah Timberman, Carl Hiaasen, Jason Tracey, Paul McGuigan, and Scott Speedman. The show draws on the novel’s crime-thriller roots.

Premise and episode details

When the series opens, R.J. has been released from prison after being framed. He now works as a private investigator trying to rebuild his life.

R.J. Decker premiered on March 3, 2026. The freshman season’s finale is scheduled for April 28, 2026.

Performance and schedule

The premiere drew more than 3 million viewers. It became ABC’s highest-rated 10 p.m. drama debut in years.

R.J. Decker currently airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. EDT. It will move to 9 p.m. beginning April 14, following High Potential’s season finale.

Critical reception and network plans

The series holds a 75% critic score and an 83% audience score on Rotten Tomatoes. Reviews have been generally positive.

ABC has not yet announced renewal decisions for this show. Network executives are still weighing renewals for several dramas.

David Zayas’s recent work

Zayas first rose to prominence playing Angel Batista on Dexter from 2006 through its eight seasons. He later appeared on the Dexter spinoff and joined Dexter: Resurrection in 2025.

Showtime has already ordered a second season of Dexter: Resurrection, but no release date has been set.