When ABC announced High Potential, many assumed it would be another standard network procedural—a crime-of-the-week drama with a gimmick. But in a television landscape saturated with reboots, spinoffs, and formulaic detective shows, High Potential manages to stand out thanks to its magnetic lead performance by Kaitlin Olson and a fresh, character-driven approach that blends crime-solving with messy humanity. Based on the hit French series HPI (Haut Potentiel Intellectuel), the American adaptation is part mystery, part dramedy, and surprisingly full of heart.
The show centers on Morgan Gillory, played with sharp wit and endless charm by Kaitlin Olson. Morgan is a single mother of three who works as a cleaning lady in the Los Angeles Police Department’s Major Crimes Unit. Her life is chaotic, unglamorous, and perpetually on the edge of disaster—until she stumbles upon a case file that no one can solve. Her unorthodox insights and quick pattern recognition lead to a breakthrough, revealing that Morgan possesses an IQ of 160 and a unique way of seeing the world. Recognizing her rare talent, Detective Adam Karadec (Daniel Sunjata) reluctantly brings her on as an informal consultant. From there, the show evolves into a “crime-solving odd couple” story, pairing Morgan’s chaos and intuition with Karadec’s order and professionalism.
What immediately works about High Potential is Olson herself. Known for her comedic brilliance on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and The Mick, Olson channels her talent into something both comedic and emotionally grounded. Her Morgan is loud, flawed, messy, and completely alive. There’s a kinetic energy to her performance that elevates even the most predictable procedural beats. Critics have rightfully noted that she is the show’s engine—injecting bite, warmth, and unpredictability into a role that could have easily leaned too far into quirkiness. Instead, Olson makes Morgan feel authentic, like someone who has had to juggle too many jobs, too many kids, and too many expectations all at once.
The writing smartly uses the “genius outsider” trope without making Morgan superhuman. Her intelligence is both her gift and her curse. She’s brilliant at puzzles but often terrible at life. The tension between her personal chaos and professional clarity gives the show its emotional weight. There’s also something refreshing about watching a female character who isn’t polished or perfect—a woman whose intelligence doesn’t erase her vulnerability or humor.
Daniel Sunjata’s Detective Karadec plays the straight man to Olson’s hurricane of energy. Their chemistry recalls the dynamic of classic mismatched partnerships like Castle or The Mentalist, though High Potential keeps things more grounded. Their evolving trust forms the series’ backbone, giving the show a soft emotional center amidst the procedural plots. Supporting characters, including the investigative team and Morgan’s children, add warmth and texture to a show that could have easily been all brains and no heart.
What separates High Potential from so many other network procedurals is its tone. The show is funny without being farcical, emotional without being heavy-handed. It captures the rhythm of real life, where comedy and tragedy often occupy the same breath. ABC hasn’t seen a breakout procedural like this in years, and its success feels reminiscent of when Castle or Bones first struck the perfect balance between character charm and case-solving intrigue.
That said, High Potential is not without flaws. At its core, it’s still a procedural, which means some cases feel formulaic and certain story beats are telegraphed from a mile away. There are also occasional believability gaps—particularly when it comes to Morgan’s ability to slip into police investigations or her wardrobe, which sometimes looks far more high-end than her paycheck would allow. These are minor issues, but they do occasionally break the show’s grounded realism. Still, the emotional authenticity and humor more than make up for the occasional contrivance.
Where High Potential really shines is in its portrayal of neurodivergence and intelligence. The show doesn’t treat Morgan’s high IQ as a superpower but as a lens through which she experiences the world differently. Her brain works faster than her emotions can sometimes process, leading to social awkwardness, impulsive decisions, and moments of insight that surprise everyone—including herself. The series never frames her as “broken” or “eccentric” for the sake of entertainment. Instead, it celebrates her mind while also exploring how isolating genius can be in a world that doesn’t make room for imperfection.
From a production standpoint, the show feels polished and cinematic for network television. The Los Angeles setting offers a bright, dynamic backdrop that contrasts with the darker crime dramas that dominate streaming. The cases are interesting enough to keep viewers engaged but never overshadow the character-driven stories at the show’s core. The writing team also knows when to let moments breathe. Some of the best scenes aren’t about solving crimes—they’re about Morgan trying to connect with her kids, rebuild her confidence, or find her place in a system that doesn’t quite know what to do with her.
The fan response to High Potential has been strong, with audiences praising Olson’s performance and the show’s humor. Critics have been equally kind: The Guardian called Olson’s performance “incandescent,” and Rotten Tomatoes currently lists the show with a 96% approval rating for its first season. Viewers on social media have compared it favorably to early seasons of Monk and Elementary, citing its mix of warmth and wit as something sorely missing from today’s TV landscape. Some fans have already begun calling Morgan Gillory “the next great TV detective,” a sign that ABC might finally have its first major procedural hit in years.
Not everyone is convinced, of course. Some viewers find the mysteries themselves too predictable or the dialogue occasionally overwrought. A few critics note that the show sometimes leans too hard on Morgan’s charm to cover structural weaknesses. But even those criticisms acknowledge that Olson’s performance turns potential flaws into strengths. The show’s imperfections feel fitting for a story about a woman who’s brilliant at everything except keeping her own life in order.
Season one premiered in September 2024 and quickly became ABC’s highest-rated new series of the year. The network renewed it for a second season in early 2025, with plans for a longer episode order and deeper exploration of Morgan’s backstory. According to the show’s producers, Season two will expand the dynamic between Morgan and Karadec and introduce more serialized storytelling, suggesting the creative team is confident enough to take bigger risks.
Ultimately, High Potential succeeds because it remembers something that many procedurals forget: the best mysteries aren’t about who committed the crime—they’re about why we care. Morgan Gillory may have an exceptional mind, but it’s her heart, humor, and vulnerability that make the show special. Kaitlin Olson’s performance is career-defining, giving us a character who’s as flawed as she is brilliant, as funny as she is deeply human.
With network TV fighting to stay relevant against streaming competition, High Potential proves there’s still room for smart, heartfelt storytelling on broadcast television. It’s a show about second chances, messy people, and the extraordinary potential hiding in ordinary lives. If ABC can keep that balance intact, High Potential could easily grow into one of its defining hits of the decade.
