The Moment Kaitlin Olson Proved ‘High Potential’ Was a Hit: Showrunner’s Revealing Insight

Following its debut in the autumn, “High Potential” swiftly gained popularity among viewers and sustained its triumph within the 2025 TV lineup. Consequently, the series was granted an early renewal for Season 2. Remarkably, this network murder mystery reached a notable ratings milestone, positioning itself as ABC’s largest new series since “The Conners” premiered in 2018. The show’s lead actress, Kaitlin Olsen, undoubtedly plays a significant role in its success, and the showrunner, Todd Harthan, recollected the instance when he realized they had struck television gold.

In the series “High Potential”, Olson portrays Morgan Gillory – an intelligent cleaning lady who transitions into a police consultant. This role is a significant change from her character Sweet Dee in “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia”. However, it’s hard to envision anyone other than Olson taking on the role of Morgan. At a Deadline Contenders Television event panel, Todd Harthan recounted observing Olson deliver an emotional scene to studio and network executives.

Kaitlin stormed into the room, venting furiously at the police officers for shifting a woman from the crime scene area to the suspect’s side. The mother had been without sleep for several days, and this final act pushed Kaitlin over the edge.

It’s likely that acting out such a scene on set would be quite nerve-racking for any actor. But what makes it even more daunting is the thought of performing it in front of executives who can instantly pull the plug on the show. Yet, Todd Harthan appeared unfazed as he shared his confidence that the show was destined to succeed:

Each time I rewatched her actions, it became clear that there’s no challenge she can’t overcome. That’s when I knew we were in for the long haul.

Although it’s still in its infancy, the early success of the show has confirmed the Executive Producer’s intuition. The show, “High Potential,” quickly became a smash hit and was among the first to be renewed for the 2025-26 season on ABC. While the entire cast is undeniably talented, it’s Olson who elevates the network drama to greatness. It’s ironic that Olson initially declined the offer to join the show, but I’m thrilled she eventually agreed to be part of it!

As a movie enthusiast, I’m thrilled to share that you can experience the high potential of Hulu! With both its Ad-Supported and Ad-Free tiers, you’ll gain access to an array of fantastic titles such as “What We Do in the Shadows,” “The Bear,” and “Only Murders In The Building.” New and returning eligible customers have the opportunity to savor a whole month of this service at no cost! After that, plans start from just $9.99 per month. Don’t miss out on this deal!

As Olsen continues to excel in her role, Disney Television Group president Craig Erwich has expressed his hope that she will receive an Emmy nomination someday. With FYC campaigns underway and the show generating positive responses and buzz, it would indeed be unexpected if it didn’t secure a few nominations.

After the thrilling conclusion of Season 1 of High Potential, fans must endure a long wait for fresh episodes. Given the impressive performances by Kaitlin Olson and her team thus far, I am confident that Season 2 will be worth the patience. Here’s hoping Olson maintains her top form and helps extend this series for many more seasons. In the meantime, catch up on Season 1 using a Hulu subscription.

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2025-04-09 03:37