Fans of ABC’s hit crime drama High Potential were met with a cliffhanger in late October, only to find out the show is now on a break until the new year. The second season of the Kaitlin Olson-led series began its planned winter hiatus after the seventh episode aired on October 28, 2025. This scheduled break means no new episodes will air for over two months, with the show set to return with fresh episodes on Tuesday, January 6, 2026.
Why the Show Is on a Long Break
The hiatus for High Potential is not a sign of trouble but is instead a standard programming strategy for major US broadcast networks. This type of mid-season break, often called a “winter hiatus,” allows shows to pause production and return during a period of high television viewership in the new year.
While the specific reason for High Potential starting its break slightly earlier than some other network shows is not officially confirmed, industry patterns provide context. The show’s fall schedule was aligned with Dancing with the Stars, which begins its season in September. Furthermore, networks often adjust their lineups to account for major events in the new year, such as the 2026 Winter Olympics in February, when viewership habits change. This long break is a common, though often frustrating, part of the network television calendar.
The Major Cliffhanger Fans Are Left With
The fall finale, titled “The One That Got Away,” left the story at a tense and dangerous moment for the main character. Kaitlin Olson’s Morgan Gillory found herself in a precarious situation after a case involving a stolen $20 million Rembrandt painting.
During the investigation, she began working with a charming art recovery expert, Rhys Eastman, played by Aiden Turner. As they worked together, Morgan and Rhys became romantically involved. However, in the episode’s final moments, Morgan discovered a scar on his shoulder, leading her to a shocking realization: Rhys is likely the master thief known as ‘Jean-Baptiste.’ Immediately after this discovery, her partner, Detective Karadec (Daniel Sunjata), called to inform her that a dead body had been found connected to the case. This left Morgan alone in the apartment of a man who may be a murderer.
Simultaneously, the season’s other major mystery involving Morgan’s supposedly deceased ex-boyfriend, Roman, deepened. Her daughter, Ava, made contact with someone claiming to have a connection to him.
How Fans Have Reacted to the Hiatus
The extended wait for the cliffhanger’s resolution has led to noticeable disappointment among the show’s dedicated viewers. Many have taken to online forums to share their frustration with the more than two-month gap.
On Reddit, one fan questioned the network’s decision, asking, “Is ABC trying to kill this show? It’s only the 7th episode this season! Now it’s off for 2 months?” Another user agreed, stating, “I’m usually more for the weekly episode releases, but 2 months break after a few episodes is ridiculous.” The general sentiment is that the hiatus feels particularly long after such an intense and unresolved episode.
Despite fan frustration, the break comes at a time when High Potential is performing exceptionally well for ABC. The network recently announced that the drama has become the first series in the 10 p.m. time slot to rank as the number one entertainment series since “ER” in the 1999-2000 season. It is averaging 7.62 million viewers, a significant increase over its first-season numbers.
What to Expect When the Show Returns
When High Potential returns on January 6, it will air in a new time slot, moving to 9 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. New episodes will be available for streaming on Hulu the following day.
Showrunner Todd Harthan has provided a small tease for the first episode back, explaining that it will not pick up exactly where the finale left off. “We came up with this clever little device that kicks off the episode in a way that I think is surprising and interesting,” Harthan said. “It’s not like she’s in the hotel room wondering what she’s going to do now. It gives us some interesting backfill about what happened in that hotel room in the time between getting that call and getting to a crime scene.” He promised a “fun, juicy scene” between Morgan and Karadec as they address the unresolved tension.
Also Read: High Potential Season 2 Fall Finale: Morgan Discovers the Art Thief May Be very close
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