Jaina Lee Ortiz is coming back to ABC in her first post-Station 19 television role. The actress has been tapped to star in RJ Decker, the Scott Speedman-led crime drama set to premiere in 2026. She’s been cast as a series regular, giving fans the opportunity to see her turn as Emi Ochoa for more than a one-off appearance.
Key Takeaways
- Details on Jaina Lee Ortiz’s character on RJ Decker.
- When Station 19 fans are likely to see the actress back on-screen.
From Fire Captain to Rich Woman with a Past
On Station 19, Ortiz played firefighter, and later captain, Andrea “Andy” Herrera (later Fire Chief) in a procedural about family, bravery, and, in part, navigating a male-dominated field as an ambitious woman. But for RJ Decker, she’ll be hanging up her turnouts and donning the attire of a Florida state senator’s daughter.
Emi Ochoa is a re-imagining of the role of Shay Bennett, played by Weruche Opia, in the pilot ABC originally ordered. But the bones of the character are the same. The actress will step into the shoes of a woman described as “shrewd-if-unpredictable.” Her father is a powerful man, but not a good one. He’s corrupt, which is certain to play into how Emi sees the world.
Ortiz will star opposite Speedman (who isn’t leaving Grey’s Anatomy) as their characters share a past that’s being kept under wraps for now. Speedman’s titular private investigator is an ex-con and former newspaper photographer. Emi is set to be his new benefactor, who is billed as someone who could be his greatest ally or the very person responsible for him ending up back in prison. The tight rope these two will walk is bound to be intriguing.
When Does RJ Decker Premiere on ABC? (Speculation)
Notably, RJ Decker isn’t currently on ABC’s midseason schedule, though the network has confirmed that it will debut in 2026. It’s possible the crime drama could slip into Scrubs‘ Wednesday slot once the revival ends its nine-episode season. The medical sitcom premieres February 25 with its first two episodes. If RJ Decker does take its spot on the schedule, Station 19 fans will likely have to wait until April 2026 to see Ortiz make her return to ABC.
When she does, she’ll be a part of the twisting casework that RJ is known for. The South Florida setting lends itself to some odd and bizarre investigations that could tie back to the world of politics, given Emi’s connections to power.
Stay tuned to Soap Hub for more news and coverage about ABC.
