Kaitlin Olson Takes a Turn in ABC’s ‘High Potential’

LOS ANGELES, California — Kaitlin Olson is stepping out of her comedy comfort zone with her new role in ABC’s ‘High Potential.’ The actress, known for her quirky characters, plays Morgan Gillory, a single mother and late-night janitor with a genius IQ in the freshman crime procedural.

Olson, 49, who gained fame as Becky on ‘Curb Your Enthusiasm‘ and Deandra “Sweet Dee” Reynolds on ‘It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,’ said she wanted to explore something different with this role. ‘I was not looking to be on a network crime drama at all. What I was doing was looking to do something different than I had already done,’ Olson said.

Morgan Gillory is a complex character who hides her intelligence behind flashy nails and eccentric outfits. Olson explained, ‘She doesn’t want the attention on how smart she is,’ yet her unique abilities land her a consulting position with the LAPD’s Major Crimes team after she helps redirect an investigation.

The partnership with Detective Adam Karadec, played by Daniel Sunjata, is filled with tension as her past comes into play. Olson noted, ‘There was clearly some trauma there,’ when describing Morgan’s backstory.

Olson’s character is also motivated by the need to locate her ex-husband, Roman, who disappeared 15 years ago. ‘I haven’t really gotten to play someone who’s loud and brash and doesn’t give a shit about what people think, but goes home at the end of the day and is a loving mom,’ she shared.

The show’s first season ended with cliffhangers that have fans eagerly awaiting the new episodes. Olson mentioned that filming for Season 2 began in late May, highlighting a new puzzle-obsessed serial killer as Morgan’s most formidable challenge yet.

With its unique blend of humor and drama, Olson believes ‘High Potential’ showcases the raw humanity of its characters, making it relatable to audiences. She is excited about what’s to come, stating, ‘We’ve got our work cut out.’