The rj decker season 2 episode 2 cast features the returning principal ensemble led by Scott Speedman, along with several guest stars, most notably WWE star CM Punk. Titled “Manos: Hands of Fate,” the second episode of Season 2 aired Tuesday, September 22, 2026, on ABC and is available to stream on Hulu. The episode follows R.J. Decker as a strange missing-person case involving a mysterious object and a threatening stranger takes an unexpected turn.
Who Is in the R.J. Decker Season 2, Episode 2 Cast?
Season 2, Episode 2 brings back the central characters who have helped define the crime drama since its first season.
The principal cast includes:
- Scott Speedman as R.J. Decker
- Jaina Lee Ortiz as Emilia “Emi” Ochoa
- Kevin Rankin as Aloysius “Wish” Aiken
- Adelaide Clemens as Catherine Delacroix
- Bevin Bru as Detective Melody “Mel” Abreu
The episode also features guest appearances, including CM Punk and Kate Miner, adding new faces to the mystery surrounding R.J.’s latest case.
Scott Speedman as R.J. Decker
Scott Speedman returns as the show’s central character, R.J. Decker, a former newspaper photographer and ex-convict who has reinvented himself as a private investigator in South Florida.
R.J.’s unusual past continues to influence the cases he takes on. His investigative style often puts him in situations that are more complicated than they initially appear, and “Manos: Hands of Fate” is no exception.
The Season 2 storyline has continued to build on the consequences of the events involving Victor Ochoa from the first season. Episode 2 moves R.J. into another unusual investigation involving a missing man, a mysterious item and a potentially dangerous stranger.
Jaina Lee Ortiz as Emilia “Emi” Ochoa
Jaina Lee Ortiz reprises her role as Emilia “Emi” Ochoa.
Emi is an important part of R.J.’s personal and professional world. Her relationship with R.J. and her connection to the Ochoa family have given the series an additional layer beyond its individual weekly mysteries.
In the second episode of Season 2, the story once again gives attention to people close to R.J. while the main investigation develops. The episode’s official synopsis indicates that someone in R.J.’s circle becomes involved in a mystery of their own.
Kevin Rankin as Aloysius “Wish” Aiken
Kevin Rankin returns as Aloysius “Wish” Aiken, another familiar figure in R.J.’s world.
Wish has been connected to R.J. since the early episodes of the series, and his presence helps maintain the show’s links to R.J.’s past and his unconventional network of contacts.
As R.J. takes on increasingly strange investigations, Wish remains part of the supporting ensemble that gives the series its distinctive mix of crime, mystery and dark humor.
Adelaide Clemens as Catherine Delacroix
Adelaide Clemens is back as Catherine Delacroix.
Catherine is another key character whose complicated connection to R.J. has contributed to the show’s continuing story. Her relationship with R.J. is tied to some of the more mysterious aspects of his life, making her presence particularly important as the second season expands the show’s larger storyline.
Bevin Bru as Detective Melody “Mel” Abreu
Bevin Bru reprises her role as Detective Melody “Mel” Abreu.
Mel is a police detective and is closely connected to Emi. Her law-enforcement perspective provides a contrast to R.J.’s unconventional approach to private investigation.
The combination of R.J.’s methods and Mel’s position within law enforcement continues to create opportunities for the series to explore cases from different perspectives.
CM Punk Guest Stars in Episode 2
One of the biggest talking points surrounding “Manos: Hands of Fate” is the guest appearance by CM Punk.
The WWE star’s involvement was officially promoted by the show’s social-media account ahead of the September 22 broadcast. Promotional footage showed Punk appearing as an intense and confrontational character.
The teaser features Punk’s character at an outdoor workout area, where he becomes involved in a tense exchange. The promotional material deliberately keeps many details about his role under wraps, but it establishes him as a memorable guest presence.
For wrestling fans, the appearance is notable because it gives Punk another television acting credit outside the wrestling world. He has previously appeared in scripted projects and films, making his role on R.J. Decker another addition to his growing screen résumé.
The show did not initially reveal extensive details about Punk’s character, so viewers interested in the role had to watch the episode to see how his character fits into R.J.’s latest investigation.
Kate Miner Also Appears in the Episode
Kate Miner is another guest performer featured in the promotional material for “Manos: Hands of Fate.”
ABC’s promotional material introduced a character named Kayla, with Miner highlighted as a guest star. Her appearance adds another element to an episode already built around several unfamiliar characters and mysteries.
Because the episode centers on a missing person and a mysterious object, guest characters play an important role in expanding the investigation beyond R.J.’s established circle.
What Is “Manos: Hands of Fate” About?
Season 2, Episode 2 is officially titled “Manos: Hands of Fate.”
The episode’s story centers on a missing man, a mysterious item and a dangerous stranger in a pickup truck. These elements pull R.J. into what is described as one of his strangest cases yet.
At the same time, someone close to R.J. becomes involved in a separate mystery, creating a storyline that runs alongside the main investigation.
The title is also a reference to the infamous 1966 cult horror film Manos: The Hands of Fate. However, the episode itself remains part of the crime and mystery format established by R.J. Decker.
When Did R.J. Decker Season 2 Episode 2 Air?
“Manos: Hands of Fate” aired on Tuesday, September 22, 2026.
The episode’s U.S. broadcast was scheduled for 10 p.m. ET on ABC, following Dancing with the Stars. It is also available to stream through Hulu.
Season 2 began one week earlier with Episode 1, “The Point of Us Breaking,” which aired September 15. The second episode continued the season’s story following the aftermath of Victor Ochoa’s death.
What Happens Next on R.J. Decker?
The story continues with Season 2, Episode 3, titled “Arms and Armadillos.” The episode is scheduled to air on September 29, 2026, continuing the show’s weekly Tuesday-night schedule.
The early Season 2 episode lineup suggests that the series will continue combining individual investigations with longer-running character storylines.
With R.J.’s past still affecting his present and his circle of friends and associates becoming involved in new mysteries, the second season is continuing to develop both the procedural and serialized sides of the show.
R.J. Decker Season 2 Episode 2 Cast at a Glance
For viewers searching specifically for the cast of the latest episode, the key names are:
| Actor | Character |
|---|---|
| Scott Speedman | R.J. Decker |
| Jaina Lee Ortiz | Emilia “Emi” Ochoa |
| Kevin Rankin | Aloysius “Wish” Aiken |
| Adelaide Clemens | Catherine Delacroix |
| Bevin Bru | Detective Melody “Mel” Abreu |
| CM Punk | Guest role |
| Kate Miner | Kayla |
The main cast continues to provide the foundation of the series, while the guest appearances give individual episodes new characters and additional mystery.
Why CM Punk’s Appearance Is Getting Attention
CM Punk’s appearance has become one of the most notable elements of the latest episode because of his profile outside traditional television acting.
The promotional campaign for the episode specifically highlighted Punk, giving viewers an early glimpse of his character without revealing the full story surrounding his appearance.
His involvement also demonstrates the show’s willingness to bring recognizable guest performers into its South Florida crime setting. For audiences discovering the series through Punk’s appearance, the episode provides an entry point into a larger ensemble led by Speedman’s R.J. Decker.
Final Take on the Episode 2 Cast
“Manos: Hands of Fate” combines the established R.J. Decker ensemble with several guest performers. Scott Speedman remains at the center as R.J., while Jaina Lee Ortiz, Kevin Rankin, Adelaide Clemens and Bevin Bru return in their regular roles.
The addition of CM Punk gives the episode an extra layer of attention, while Kate Miner’s appearance adds another guest character to the mystery. With the episode now aired, viewers can watch how these characters fit into R.J.’s latest investigation and how the events affect the larger Season 2 storyline.
What did you think of the latest R.J. Decker episode and CM Punk’s guest appearance? Share your thoughts in the comments and stay tuned for the latest Season 2 updates.