RJ Decker , ABC's action crime drama adapted from Carl Hiaasen's Double Whammy , stands out for its vibrant filming choices that blend Southern charm with Florida flair. Despite its South Florida storyline following ex-con turned PI RJ Decker (Scott Speedman), production cleverly doubled key spots elsewhere to capture that gritty, sun-soaked vibe.
Primary Filming Hub
North Carolina's New Hanover County served as the main base, with heavy shooting in Wilmington and nearby beaches starting from the pilot in July- August 2025 and ramping up in November.
Local crews transformed urban streets and coastal areas into Decker's investigative playground, dodging winter storms that briefly delayed sets.
This choice cut costs while mimicking Florida's humid intrigue, a common Hollywood move for East Coast tales.
Key North Carolina Spots
- Wilmington hotspots : Suites On Market (2828 Market Street), houses on Shirley Road/Churchill Drive, Ly Nails, C C Grissom & Sons, Julia’s Florist, White Front Breakfast House.
- Iconic venues : New Hanover County Courthouse (316 Princess Street), Brooklyn Arts Center, Lake Forest Baptist Church, Alton Lennon Federal Building.
- Beach scenes : Carolina Beach (SeaWitch Cafe & Tiki Bar, Nest Realty), Kure Beach's Fort Fisher State Historic Site, plus local studios.
"The series began filming in November at local studios in Wilmington and onsite at Carolina Beach and Fort Fisher."
Florida's Authentic Touches
To nail the Miami metro feel, crews jetted south for pivotal exteriors. Miami Beach beaches hosted outdoor shoots, while West Palm Beach (January 2026) featured the County Courthouse (205 North Dixie Highway) and History Museum (300 North Dixie Highway).
Fort Lauderdale wrapped it up with Las Olas Boulevard driving scenes, Las Olas Oceanside Park, and State Road A1A in February 2026—pure coastal crime drama gold.
Fan forums buzz about these real-deal Florida pops adding edge, especially post-pilot buzz that scored ABC's quick series greenlight.
Location Area| Standout Sites| Shoot Timing
---|---|---
New Hanover County, NC| Wilmington streets, Carolina Beach bars, Fort Fisher|
Nov 2025–ongoing 13
Miami Metro, FL| Beaches, West Palm courthouses| Jan 2026 1
Fort Lauderdale, FL| Las Olas Blvd, A1A| Feb 2026 1
Trending Production Buzz
As of March 2026, Wilmington locals rave about the economic boost—WWAY's set visit highlighted Speedman's love for the area despite weather hiccups. Recent reviews praise the locational mix for grounding Decker's oddball cases, with trailers teasing those beachy chases.
Multiple viewpoints emerge: purists gripe about NC doubling FL, but most applaud the seamless visuals and Hiaasen homage.
TL;DR : Mostly Wilmington, NC (New Hanover/Carolina Beach), with Florida authenticity in Miami Beach, West Palm, and Fort Lauderdale.
Information gathered from public forums or data available on the internet and portrayed here.
