High Potential became a hit show on ABC in 2024, thanks to its unique story and memorable characters. The show follows Morgan Gillory, a single mother and cleaning lady at the Los Angeles Police Department, who turns out to have an extraordinary talent for solving crimes. Her ability to notice details others miss quickly makes her an invaluable part of the police team. With Season 2 arrived on September 16, 2025, here’s a recap of what happened in the first season.
How Morgan Became a Crime Solver
The story begins with Morgan (played by Kaitlin Olson) working as a cleaner at the LAPD. One night, she accidentally knocks over a case file and notices a mistake in the investigation. She rearranges the evidence board to correct the error, which annoys Detective Adam Karadec (Daniel Sunjata). However, their boss, Selena Soto (Judy Reyes), sees Morgan’s potential and hires her as a civilian consultant.
Morgan agrees to work with the police on one condition: they help her find out what happened to her first husband, Roman, who disappeared 15 years ago while buying diapers for their baby daughter, Ava. She always believed he did not abandon them intentionally and that something must have happened to him.
The Cases and the Game Master
Throughout the first season, Morgan helps the Major Crimes team solve various cases. Each episode features a new crime, but there is also a larger story involving a mysterious criminal known as The Game Master. This villain kidnaps people and puts them in life-threatening situations, leaving puzzles for the police to solve. If they succeed, the victim is saved; if they fail, the victim could die.
In one case, The Game Master kidnapped a diabetic man tied up in a storage locker. In another, he trapped a woman in a locked safe at an art gallery. The most personal attack was when he targeted one of Morgan’s colleagues, Lev “Oz” Ozdil (Deniz Akdeniz). Oz was knocked out and chained to the bottom of a pool. Luckily, Morgan and the team saved all the victims, but The Game Master was never caught.
The Mystery of Roman’s Disappearance
One of the main storylines of Season 1 is Morgan’s search for her missing husband, Roman. She uses her new role at the LAPD to reopen the investigation into his disappearance. Throughout the season, she and the team find small clues. For example, they discover that Roman’s car was impounded shortly after he vanished, with a box of diapers still inside, suggesting he meant to return home.
They also learn that Roman was a talented artist and that he painted a mural in a neighborhood known for criminal activity. This leads them to believe he may have witnessed a crime and was silenced. However, the biggest reveal comes in the Season 1 finale when Detective Karadec tells Morgan that Roman is still alive and was working as an FBI informant. Karadec also claims he knows where to find Roman.
The Season Finale Cliffhangers
The Season 1 finale ends with two major cliffhangers. First, Morgan realizes that The Game Master has been watching her closely. She finds a deck of cards in her bag with a note that says, “YOU’RE THE ONE, MORGAN. WE SHALL PLAY AGAIN. ME AND YOU.” This means the villain sees her as his next target.
Second, the reveal about Roman being alive opens up new questions. Where has he been all these years? Why did he disappear? What was he doing as an FBI informant? These questions will likely be explored in Season 2.
New Characters and Relationships
Aside from the crimes, the show also focuses on Morgan’s personal life. She has three children: Ava (Amirah J), who is Roman’s daughter, and two younger children with her second ex-husband, Ludo Radovic (Taran Killam). Ludo is a driving instructor and remains on good terms with Morgan, often helping with childcare.
Morgan also has a brief romantic relationship with Tom (JD Pardo), a janitor at the LAPD who is studying to become a nurse. Tom even takes a bullet for her during a hostage situation at the police precinct. However, he moves to San Diego for nursing school, putting their relationship on hold. He returns for a police gala in the finale, but it is unclear if they will stay together.
Meanwhile, Morgan’s partnership with Detective Karadec grows stronger. At first, they clashed because of their different styles—Morgan is intuitive and unconventional, while Karadec is by-the-book. But over time, they learn to trust each other. Some fans wonder if they might become a couple, but the show’s creator, Todd Harthan, says that for now, they are just partners and friends.
What to Expect in Season 2
Season 2 will have 18 episodes, which is more than the 13 episodes in Season 1. This means more time to explore the characters’ personal stories and the ongoing mysteries. The new season will continue the story of The Game Master, who is revealed to be David Peck (played by David Giuntoli). He is a smart and dangerous serial kidnapper who seems obsessed with Morgan.
The show will also dive deeper into the mystery of Roman. Now that Morgan knows he is alive, she will likely try to find him and learn the truth about his disappearance. This will also affect her daughter Ava, who has struggled with the idea that her father abandoned her.
Additionally, Season 2 will introduce new characters. Steve Howey joins the cast as Jesse Wagner, the new precinct captain. He is described as charming and politically savvy, with a tendency to get involved in cases. Mekhi Phifer will also appear in a recurring role as someone connected to major crimes.
The show will also explore the backstories of other characters, such as Lieutenant Soto and Oz. For example, Judy Reyes, who plays Soto, said she wants to learn more about her character’s life outside of work, such as whether she is a parent or has a family.
Where to Watch
The entire first season of High Potential is available to stream on Hulu in the US and on Disney+ in other countries. Season 2 was premiered on ABC on Tuesday, September 16, 2025, at 10 PM ET. New episodes will be available for streaming on Hulu and Disney+ on September 17, 2025.
“I want to know what’s going on with Morgan. I want to know what’s going on with Ava’s dad. There’s a lot of stuff; I want to do it all.” – Kaitlin Olson
For fans who want to refresh their memory before Season 2, watching the first season is a great way to catch up on all the details. With its mix of crime-solving and personal drama, High Potential offers something for everyone.
