Elaine Hendrix just made R.J. Decker Season 2 impossible to predict with one scene. The actress broke down her character’s shocking twist and revealed what she hopes it sparks among the show’s fans.
WARNING: Spoilers ahead!
Elaine Hendrix’s R.J. Decker role takes a dark turn
Elaine Hendrix plays District Attorney Janis Lake in R.J. Decker Season 2. Her character first appears as a compassionate ally to Jaina Lee Ortiz’s Emi Ochoa. However, episode 3 reveals Lake as the prime suspect in Victor Ochoa’s murder.
Hendrix told Entertainment Weekly the producers revealed the twist immediately when they called her. She said the revelation did not affect her decision to take the role. Hendrix noted she has built a career on such parts. “I’ve built a wonderful career on playing complicated, duplicitous women,” she said.
The actress hopes the twist sparks audience discussion about Lake’s guilt. She wants viewers split on whether the casting itself signals innocence or guilt. Hendrix confirmed her character committed the crime but insisted Lake never planned any of it. “The complications kept happening and she had to keep pivoting,” she explained.
During the confrontation scene with R.J. and Mel, Hendrix remains completely silent. She said she brought a sense that Lake would always present as simply doing her job. “I’m not going to even crack, let any little crack through,” she described of her approach. Director Paul McGuigan played a key role in shaping that restrained performance. Hendrix praised the collaborative process between them on set.
Off-screen, Hendrix and Ortiz bonded quickly over their shared connection to Dancing With the Stars. Mutual friend Sharon Lawrence told Hendrix about Ortiz’s salsa skills beforehand. The two found time between takes to connect personally. Hendrix also expressed sadness over her former DWTS partner Alan Bersten’s recent elimination. She felt his celebrity partner Giada De Laurentiis deserved more time to grow.
R.J. Decker airs Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC and streams the next day on Hulu.
