Scott Speedman Explains How He’s Balancing Leading “R.J. Decker” with His Role on “Grey’s Anatomy” (Exclusive)

Sabienna BowmanTue, March 3, 2026 at 12:35 PM UTC

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Scott Speedman in 'R.J. Decker'Credit: Disney/Dana Hawley -

Scott Speedman is opening up about juggling roles on both Grey's Anatomy in Los Angeles and R.J. Decker in Wilmington, N.C.

R.J. Decker, inspired by Carl Hiaasen's novel Double Whammy, follows a former photographer turned private investigator solving quirky Florida crimes

Speedman shares how the show recreates Florida's vibe while filming in North Carolina

Scott Speedman isn't afraid of pulling double duty for ABC.

During a visit to the R.J. Decker set, Speedman, 50, opens up to PEOPLE about how he plans to balance his new leading man role on ABC's private investigator drama with his recurring role as Meredith Grey (Ellen Pompeo)'s partner, Nick, on Grey's Anatomy. The actor first appeared on Grey's in season 14 and has continued to make appearances ever since.

R.J. Decker, which is inspired by Carl Hiaasen's 1987 novel Double Whammy, films in Wilmington, N.C. (with occasional trips to Florida), while Grey's Anatomy films in Los Angeles. However, the Felicity alum isn't too worried about all of the traveling.

"We're about to do something where I have to go back and do Grey's Anatomy," he explains. "So, we're just trying to figure that out now. Wilmington, for all its great qualities, is not the easiest place to get in and out of ... just getting back during this weather is going to be interesting, but we're going to do it."

He adds, "In terms of creatively, I've been doing Grey's now for a number of years, so I'll just slip into that. And then shoot there for a couple days and jump on a plane and shoot here. So, we'll see. Ask me later because I haven't done it yet, but I'm sure it'll go well."

Ellen Pompeo (left) and Scott Speedman on 'Grey's Anatomy'Credit: Disney/Ser Baffo

At the time of PEOPLE's visit in February, Wilmington was dealing with the aftermath of a snowstorm, but Speedman and the rest of the R.J. Decker cast remained undaunted as they continued to recreate sunny Florida conditions on a sound stage.

Speedman did admit that pretending he's "a cool customer in Fort Lauderdale," where the show is set, while filming in a short-sleeved Hawaiian shirt in 30-degree weather on the streets of Wilmington does make selling the show's Florida vibes a little difficult at times.

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"Florida is a total character itself," the actor teases. "Well, look, when we did the pilot, it was July and August, and that was a little easier [than] when you come into the winter months."

Bevin Bru (left) and Scott Speedman (right) on 'R.J. Decker'Credit: Disney/Dana Hawley

Thankfully, the production gets to go to Ft. Lauderdale "two or three times a season" to "get all our exteriors and immerse ourselves in the life," he continues. "Because as soon as you go down there, you're like, 'Oh, this is R.J. Decker. This is the show.' You can put your camera up anywhere and it really feels like the show."

Speedman plays R.J., a former newspaper photographer who has recently been released from prison. Now that he's a free man, R.J. is trying his hand as a private investigator, and sees plenty of cases featuring a colorful cast of characters.

"He comes out, he wants to leave all that behind and go on to this new world, this new life as a private investigator," Speedman shares. "So, he tries to start that life. And the show's about his adventures trying to solve these weekly crimes."

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New episodes of R.J. Decker air weekly on Tuesdays at 10 p.m. on ABC.

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Source: “AOL Entertainment”