Why everyone’s suddenly obsessed
High Potential’s second season has quietly become one of ABC’s biggest winners, and a huge reason why is Kaitlin Olson. The show mixes twisty weekly cases with longer mysteries — and Olson is the performer people can’t stop talking about. She’s the kind of lead who makes every scene feel sharper and funnier, even when the plot gets heavy.
From loud comedy to quietly devastating
You probably know Olson from her prankster days on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and her turns on shows like Hacks and The Mick. But on High Potential she’s stretching her range: still funny, but way more layered. She sells the jokes and the heartbreak without missing a beat — which makes the emotional moments hit harder.
Not just a star — a hands-on producer
Olson isn’t just in front of the camera; she’s an executive producer who actually rolls up her sleeves. Cast and crew say she helps fine-tune dialogue, gives notes on scenes, and even checks in on how realistic mother-daughter conversations land. That’s the kind of behind-the-scenes elbow grease that turns good scripts into great episodes.
Small choices, huge impact
One episode in particular shows why she’s so valuable: during a quietly awkward scene where a date gets ready to happen, Olson moves from upbeat helper to a look that hints at wistfulness and what-ifs. It’s a blink-and-you-miss-it shift that anchors the whole moment — the kind of subtle acting that elevates an hour of television.
What this means for the show
All of this adds up. High Potential is pulling strong numbers this season and is one of ABC’s top scripted hits, and Olson’s combo of comedic instincts, dramatic chops, and producing smarts is a big part of that success. New episodes air Tuesday nights at 10:00 p.m. ET on ABC and show up on Hulu the next day — perfect if you want to binge her next tonal flip in peace.