“She’s scrappy, independent, and going to make ends meet”: Kaitlin Olson on High Potential

After 17 years of playing the hilariously inappropriate and unpredictable Dee Reynolds in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, Kaitlin Olson is stepping into new territory with ABC’s High Potential. The show, a crime procedural with a unique comedic spin, follows Morgan, a single mother of three with exceptional intellect who finds herself solving complex cases for the LAPD. During a recent press conference, Olson shared insights into why she took on the role, how she relates to her character, and what fans can expect from the show.

“I just thought it was so well written, and this character was so well-rounded,” Olson explained when asked why she was drawn to the project. “I still could make her fun and interesting and funny at times, but also she’s like a real person, unlike some of the other characters I’ve played.” She emphasised that while High Potential is an adaptation of the French and Belgian television series HPI, it’s not an exact replica: “We’re making an adaptation, not an exact copy; I saw one episode of the original and thought they did a wonderful job.”

“She just wants to be a person, a mother,” Olson says of her character, Morgan Gillory, explaining her desire to portray someone both exceptionally intelligent and profoundly human. “She’s scrappy, independent, and going to make ends meet; she doesn’t need to rely on anyone and she will take care of her kids.”

Olson also delves into the complexity of Morgan’s relationship with her own brilliance. “For Morgan, her intellect isn’t a gift – it’s more of a burden,” she explains, noting that the character’s exceptional abilities often feel more like a weight than an asset. For Olson, however, this internal struggle adds depth to Morgan, making her a far more compelling character. As she puts it, “Her brain is secondary, which I find way more interesting than walking into a room being like, ‘Guess what?’”

Olson had high praise for her co-stars, particularly Judy Reyes, who plays a key supporting role as Selena Soto, head of the LAPD’s Major Crimes Division. “I really hit the jackpot; this cast is so wonderful, and everyone shows up so happy and excited to work every day,” Reflecting on an emotional scene where her character has to ask for help, Olson said, “That scene was really important because Morgan doesn’t want to need anyone’s help, ever, and just shooting that with Judy – everything she was giving back to me just made it so much easier.”

One of Morgan’s defining traits is her unique style, which plays into how people perceive her. “She is just loud and unapologetic,” Olson said, laughing. “I love the fact that she wears the shortest possible skirts to a crime scene. It’s so inappropriate, and she doesn’t care.” She credited the show’s costume designer, Sandra Burns, for helping to shape Morgan’s look. “Please look out for the earrings, there’s some bedazzled shrimp earrings and slices of pizza – it’s insane.”

With High Potential already renewed for a second season, Olson teased what’s to come. “There was a lot of Morgan, and there will still be a lot of Morgan,” but she added, “I’d love to see what goes on in the other characters’ lives.” While the writers’ room has just started, filming is set to begin in May.

And as for whether she expected the show to be as much of a success as it is, Olson admitted, “This is going to sound really lame, but yes – I’m very particular about the projects that I choose, and I don’t do anything unless I feel like I can bring something special to it.”

Christina Yang

High Potential is released on Disney+ on 23^rd January 2025.

Watch the trailer for High Potential here: