Puerto Rican actress Jaina Lee Ortiz is stepping into a compelling new role in R.J. Decker, the new drama series on ABC that blends crime, mystery and a colorful Florida backdrop. During a recent conversation with Entertainment Affair’s Raffael Alejandro, Ortiz opened up about her complex character Emilia “Emi” Ochoa, the cultural influence behind the series, and why the show offers a fresh twist on the crime-drama formula.

The series stars Scott Speedman as a disgraced newspaper photographer and former ex-con who reinvents himself as a private investigator navigating the strange and chaotic cases of South Florida. Ortiz’s Emi plays a key role in his complicated past, returning to his life with both regret and an offer to help.

“She’s holding guilt for what happened before,” Ortiz explained. “She comes back saying, ‘Look, I can help you. I have connections and access to information you wouldn’t normally get.’ It’s kind of an olive branch.”

For Ortiz, playing a Latina character in a show set in Florida adds an important cultural dimension to the story. The Puerto Rican American actress noted that the region’s strong Latino influence naturally becomes part of the show’s world. “There’s so much of our culture rooted in Florida,” Ortiz said. “There are so many Puerto Ricans there. It’s colorful, vibrant, and that energy is naturally going to be infused in the show.”

Ortiz also joked that she’s currently working on sharpening her Spanish to make sure she authentically reflects that cultural environment. “I’m actually starting to work with a tutor now because I want to make sure my Spanish is where it needs to be,” she shared with a laugh.

The actress, who previously starred for seven seasons in the Shonda Rhimes-produced drama Station 19, said the chemistry among the R.J. Decker cast was immediate from the start. She especially highlighted her connection with co-star Bevin Bru, who plays Detective Melody “Mel” Abreu. “It was an instant connection,” Ortiz said. “All the girls on the show became best friends right away. That’s the beautiful thing about starting a new series — everyone becomes family so quickly.”

Beyond the crime elements, Ortiz believes the show’s setting plays a major role in what makes it unique. South Florida’s wild energy, eccentric personalities and unpredictable stories give the series a tone that stands apart from typical crime dramas. “Florida itself is almost like another character,” she said. “It’s bizarre, sexy, colorful and unpredictable. The situations in the show will make people ask, ‘Wait… is that real?’”

Before her acting career took off, Ortiz was also a professional salsa dancer — something fans might eventually see reflected in her roles again. “I started as a salsa dancer before acting,” she said. “I’m a little rusty now, but I’d love to bring that into my characters whenever I can.”

Between the vibrant setting, eccentric cases and intriguing character relationships, Ortiz believes audiences will find plenty to enjoy in the series.

R.J. Decker airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.