ABC has announced an early renewal for its crime drama High Potential, securing the show for a second season. The procedural, starring Kaitlin Olson, joins Abbott Elementary in making the cut for ABC’s 2025-26 broadcast lineup. This renewal mirrors the success of other standout 2024-25 freshman dramas, such as CBS’ Matlock, which also earned an early Season 2 pick-up. Originally slated for last season, both shows were delayed due to the ongoing strikes.
While the exact number of episodes for High Potential Season 2 is still to be determined, insiders suggest the new season will surpass the 13-episode count of its freshman run. The delay in production was partially due to Olson’s commitment to her role on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, which led to a condensed shooting schedule for the debut season.
Created by Drew Goddard and based on the French series HPI, High Potential has proven to be a major hit. The pilot episode has attracted nearly 30 million viewers across various platforms, solidifying its status as one of the most-watched new shows. Notably, the series has resonated with younger audiences, earning a No. 1 spot among broadcast entertainment shows for adults 18-49 with a 2.34 L7 cross-platform rating.
The show’s success was further underscored by its strong winter return on January 7. The episode saw record-breaking viewership, with High Potential delivering ABC’s largest audience for a drama in more than four years.
In High Potential, Olson stars as Morgan, a single mother with an exceptional IQ of 160, who works as a cleaning lady at the Los Angeles Police Department. Her character eventually becomes a consultant for the LAPD’s Major Crimes division. The series also features Daniel Sunjata, Javicia Leslie, Deniz Akdeniz, Amirah J, Matthew Lamb, and Judy Reyes in key roles.
The show is executive produced by Goddard and Sarah Esberg of Goddard Textiles, with Todd Harthan serving as the showrunner. Olson also holds a producer credit. High Potential is produced by 20th Television.
Episode 10, titled “Chutes and Murders,” airs tonight, with a storyline involving the investigation of a nanny’s tragic death and a subplot surrounding a school party snub experienced by Morgan’s son, Elliot.
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