These days, we're in an era of television where streaming shows can take up to three years to drop a new season that only contains maybe eight episodes. Understandably, consumers aren't thrilled about long waits and short seasons, a trend that has thankfully not been adopted by traditional, linear TV. However, some small-screen hits sometimes still have shorter seasons.
For instance, ABC's breakout crime drama RJ Decker might not as long of a first season as some fans would have hoped. Because it's a new series that has found success and features a star like Scott Speedman in the leading role, the popular assumption would be that season 1 will run for somewhere between 16 to 22 episodes, as is usually the norm for broadcast networks lately.
But you're going to be disappointed to learn that RJ Decker season 1 doesn't have a full season order. Since the series debuted in March as a midseason replacement, ABC doesn't appear to have any plans to extend the show's order this time around. Being so, it's been suggested that the first season will contain nine episodes, though ABC hasn't confirmed the official episode count yet.
RJ Decker season 1 won't have a full-season order on ABC
Until ABC reveals the exact episode count, there could be either more or fewer episodes in the first season of RJ Decker, but it seems pretty likely that nine episodes will cap off the season. The other midseason debut on ABC's schedule, the Scrubs revival series, has been confirmed to last for nine episodes. It's a unique circumstance as a comedy and a reboot, but the episode count seems right for both.
When new broadcast shows debut in the fall, it's common practice for the networks to often order additional episodes, if they perform well, to extend their lifespan from the fall and into the spring. But doing so for midseason replacements, whether they debut in January or anytime after, isn't as common. Given the time of the year, RJ Decker's more likely to be renewed for season 2 than receive an order for additional episodes.
Even if the series earns a pickup for another season, it's not a guarantee that it will earn a full season, and that's simply because the definition of a "full season" has changed. ABC drama shows like 911, High Potential, Will Trent, and more have never exceeded an episode count of 18 episodes per season. That appears to be the new normal "full season" episode count on ABC, even for long-running hits that used to have upwards of 20 episodes, like Grey's Anatomy and The Rookie.
In the event that RJ Decker season does receive a renewal for season 2, we can expect the episode count to possibly double from nine episodes to 18, though 13 to 16 could still be an option. We'll cross that bridge when we get to it! For now, there are still at least five more episodes to air following the new episode on Tuesday, March 24. Watch at 10/9c on ABC and stream on Hulu!