Bevin Bru is quickly becoming one of television’s must-watch faces. The actress, born and raised in Miami, has made a name for herself on some of the biggest shows in development, with roles in “Landman,” “Will Trent,” and now, as a series regular on “RJ Decker,” a TV show that has all the markings of a great procedural.
Set in one of Florida’s wildest corners, where its people, fauna, and flora are as unpredictable as the crimes and stories themselves, “RJ Decker” stars Scott Speedman as a disgraced photographer who, after a run-in with the law, must now make a living as a private investigator. As he solves crimes and gets pulled into all sorts of conspiracies, RJ’s decisions are impacted by the women who orbit his life: his ex-wife, the femme fatale who landed him in prison, and Bru’s character, Mel, a detective with a thorny yet warm relationship with him. “It’s kind of like a brother-sister relationship; ‘I’m going to kill you, but I love you,’” Bru said of their dynamic.
In an interview with HOLA!, Bru discussed her character and some of the surprises viewers can expect in the coming weeks. She also opened up about her personal connection to Mel, and how being a Miami native helped her prepare for a show that highlights some of the quirkiest and most entertaining parts of Florida life.
Congratulations on the show. “RJ Decker” is set in Florida, and you were born in Miami. I know the show wasn’t entirely shot there, but it really captures that Florida vibe. Can you tell me about that experience? Did your background have any influence on your performance?
Oh, absolutely. And actually, some of it was shot there—we filmed in Fort Lauderdale. So yes, we are boots on the ground in Florida (laughs).
My background completely shaped my experience. I feel like I can authentically play this role because I was born in Miami and raised by two incredible women; my mom’s wife was an SVU detective in Miami. So in a way, I like to say “Mel raised me,” and now I’m playing her on TV, paying homage to my mom’s wife, Elle.
So yeah, it really influenced everything; bringing that Miami energy to the script, the Spanglish, the vibe. It’s awesome.
It really does feel distinctly Florida; it’s such a fun place. Can you tell me a bit about your character, and working with Scott Speedman? You two have a complex but warm dynamic.
Mel is tough on the outside, but she’s a softie at heart. She’s determined, curious, and very by-the-book.
And then you have RJ, who is chaos. That dynamic, order versus chaos, is hilarious. It’s very Abbott and Costello. She wants everything done properly, and RJ is just making things up as he goes on. It’s kind of like a brother-sister relationship—“I’m going to kill you, but I love you.”
Working with Scott is so easy. He’s naturally funny, very easygoing, and we already have this natural banter that we bring out in each other. I love picking on him.
He’s also an incredible number one: always prepared, always on time, super kind, no ego. And so talented. It’s awesome.
R.J. DECKER stars Bevin Bru as Melody ‘Mel’ Abreu, Adelaide Clemens as Catherine Delacroix, Scott Speedman as R.J. Decker, Kevin Rankin as Aloysius ‘Wish’ Aiken, and Jaina Lee Ortiz as Emilia ‘Emi’ Ochoa.
What are some things you can tease about the season?
We have incredibly talented people on this show, from co-stars to guest stars to recurring roles, so you’re going to see some amazing performances.
The stories are also wild, like, truly insane. Each one just keeps leveling up. The writers are locked in, and there are so many twists and turns. You’ll think you know who did it, and then, nope, surprise.
The show really picks up the pace. The pilot is like the baby version, still figuring itself out, and now it’s growing into a wild teenager.
Do you have any favorite memories from set?
Oh my goodness. All of it has been wonderful. One moment that stands out is filming a scene with Scott and one of our incredible guest stars, who I won’t name, and not being able to keep a straight face. I was trying every acting technique possible to stay serious.
And the worst part? It wasn’t even my coverage, it was his! It was supposed to be this intense moment, and I could feel myself almost laughing. That’s what it’s like every day. It’s just so much fun. Everyone on set is amazing.
You’ve spoken about being an advocate for the LGBTQ+ community and have mentioned that you were raised by two moms. Your character is queer, and we learn that early on. Can you talk about playing that role and why it’s important to you?
I was raised by two incredible women. One was the city attorney of Miami, and the other was an SVU detective in South Florida.
So yes, there’s the LGBTQ+ element, but for me, it was just normal growing up. It wasn’t something that felt different or needed to be pointed out. That’s the energy I want to bring to the show. Yes, they’re a queer couple, but it’s not a big “thing.” It’s just part of life, like having a dog.
I want audiences to see that and think, “Oh yeah, they’re queer, but that’s just normal.”
It’s really meaningful to tell a story that’s so personal to me, and to present it in a way that feels authentic, because that’s how it should be.
And it’s not always portrayed that way on screen, it can be very dramatic. So it’s refreshing to see it normalized.
Exactly. It’s just part of everyday life. That feels authentic to me. Growing up with two moms, it was just… normal.
I also wanted to quickly ask about your short film. You wrote and directed your first project. Can you tell me about that?
Yes, we’ve already shot it, and we’re in post-production. It’s called Park La Brea.
It explores borderline personality disorder. The idea is: once you’re aware of a thought pattern or disorder, do you then have a choice in how you engage with it?
It’s a very personal story, and I’m really proud of what we accomplished. It’s my first time writing and directing, and I’m excited to share it when it’s finished.
© Disney
© Disney
© Disney
