Kaitlin Olson, the star of ABC’s popular new series High Potential, recently shared a surprising story. The actress, famous for her long-running comedy role on It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, almost passed on the drama that has become a major success. The reason had everything to do with her schedule, her creative freedom, and a very persuasive agent.
Olson now plays Morgan Gillory, a single mother and cleaning woman with a genius-level IQ who becomes a consultant for the Los Angeles Police Department. The show premiered on September 17, 2024, and was such a hit that it was quickly renewed for a second season, which began on September 16, 2025. Despite the show’s performance, Olson was initially not interested in the part at all.
The Original Reasons for Turning Down the Role
When her agent first approached her about High Potential, Olson’s immediate reaction was to say no. She had several good reasons, rooted in her career and personal life.
First, she was already busy. Olson continues to star in and produce It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, which has been on the air for over 17 seasons. She also has a recurring role on the HBO Max series Hacks, where she plays the daughter of Jean Smart’s character. This schedule allowed her to work part of the year and spend the rest of her time as a mom to her two children. Taking on a lead role in a network drama would completely change that balance.
Second, Olson was skeptical about the format. She had her mind set on developing her own project, preferably a shorter, 10-episode series for a streaming platform. The idea of committing to a full-season, hour-long drama on a traditional network like ABC did not appeal to her.
Perhaps most importantly, Olson valued the creative freedom she had become accustomed to. Working on FX’s It’s Always Sunny, she and her co-stars (including her husband, Rob McElhenney) have near-total control over their content.
“I just had no interest in — first of all, working for a network. I am very spoiled on FX,” Olson explained on the Conan O’Brien Needs a Friend podcast. “They let us do whatever we want and say whatever we want, and I have a hard time with executives who aren’t creatives telling me what I can and can’t do.”
How a Script and a Persistent Agent Changed Her Mind
Olson’s agent refused to take no for an answer. He insisted she at least read the script and meet with the creators.
The series was created by Drew Goddard, a well-respected writer and producer known for work on shows like Buffy the Vampire Slayer, Lost, and The Good Place. Goddard wrote the pilot episode himself. Reluctantly, Olson agreed to read it, and that changed everything.
“It wasn’t like a formal turning down,” Olson told Esquire magazine. “It’s just my agent had to really make me sit down and read it… I fell in love with the character.”
She was particularly impressed by the pilot’s tone, which expertly balanced a serious crime procedural with humor and heart. The character of Morgan Gillory herself was the biggest draw. Olson saw her as a complicated, well-rounded person—a “f*** up in real life” but a really good mom, someone smart but not defined by it. This was a departure from the one-note “genius” characters often seen on television.
Building the Character of Morgan Gillory
Connecting to Morgan was a process for Olson. She identified with the character’s anxiety, her tendency to lie awake at night piecing things together, and the universal experience of being a worried parent. She also understood the feeling of being underestimated, a central part of Morgan’s experience.
To physically become Morgan, Olson used key elements like the character’s reddish wig, long nails, and distinct wardrobe. Walking in heels that made her taller than everyone else helped her embody the defensive, confident posture Morgan uses as armor against the world.
Olson was also drawn to the realistic portrayal of Morgan’s home life. The show presents a functional, peaceful co-parenting relationship between Morgan and her ex-partner, Ludo, played by Taran Killam. Olson appreciated this choice, noting it would have been easier to write a contentious relationship, but it’s nicer to show that two people can not be right for each other romantically while still being great parents together.
The Show’s Instant Success and Fan Connection
Olson’s leap of faith paid off. High Potential became an instant hit for ABC. In January 2025, industry reports showed that the series led network viewership for two consecutive weeks. It was hailed as one of the standout success stories from the 2024 fall television season.
The show’s first season averaged over 16 million viewers across all platforms. Fans were drawn to the unique mix of clever crime-solving and character-driven stories. Olson believes a big part of the show’s appeal is that people see themselves in Morgan.
“A lot of people can relate to Morgan,” Olson said. “It’s nice to see a person who might seem very put together but is a bit of a mess. Someone who is a really good mom but a f*** up in real life. She doesn’t take herself too seriously… She’s just doing whatever she can to make it work and make sure her kids are good.”
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High Potential’s Continuing Story
With the second season now airing, Olson is excited to explore more layers of Morgan Gillory. She wants to show that having a high IQ is not always a gift and can be lonely and challenging. She also hopes to show Morgan making more mistakes, both in her personal life and professionally, to keep the character relatable and the stories unpredictable.
A major storyline that continues from the first season is the mystery of Roman, the father of Morgan’s daughter Ava, who disappeared 15 years ago. This personal investigation adds a compelling long-term arc to the episodic crime plots.
The series also features a strong supporting cast, including Daniel Sunjata as Detective Adam Karadec, Morgan’s by-the-book partner, and Judy Reyes as Lieutenant Selena Soto, the head of the Major Crimes Division. For fans who want to catch up, the first season of High Potential is available to stream on Hulu in the United States. The show is also available internationally on Disney+.
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