High Potential Season 2 Just Smashed a 26-Year TV Record, And Here's Why You Need to Catch Up!

Get ready to be impressed! ABC's hit crime drama High Potential, starring the incredible Kaitlin Olson, isn't just a fan favorite – its second season has absolutely exploded, breaking a television record that has stood for over two decades. Seriously, this show is making history!

TL;DR: The Quick Scoop on High Potential's Massive Success

• High Potential Season 2 is the fall's #1 broadcast entertainment series in live+7 day viewing.
• It's the first 10 PM drama to top these rankings since ER did it back in the 1999-2000 season, breaking a 26-year record!
• Starring Kaitlin Olson as a genius single mom helping solve crimes, the show boasts a stunning 98% Rotten Tomatoes score and is also currently the #1 show on both Hulu and Disney+.

Kaitlin Olson's High Potential Absolutely Crushes a Major TV Record

If you haven't been tuning into ABC's High Potential, you're missing out on a certified phenomenon. This show isn't just doing well; it's making network television history! Season 2 has officially snagged the title of the fall's #1 broadcast entertainment series in live+7 day viewing among total viewers. That's a huge deal, but here's where it gets even more impressive: it's the first time a 10 PM drama has led these rankings since NBC's iconic series ER did it way back in the 1999-2000 season. That's a 26-year record shattered!

This achievement is even more notable because High Potential is only in its second season, while ER was in its sixth when it set that benchmark. It goes to show that this series has truly captured the hearts and minds of audiences across the nation. While some outlets point out that CBS only launched most of its new shows later in the fall, making this record-breaking feat a bit of a squeeze, hey, a record is a record, and it absolutely counts!

The Genius Behind the Crime: Meet Morgan Gillory

So, what's all the buzz about? High Potential centers around Morgan Gillory, played by the fantastic Kaitlin Olson (yes, Sweet Dee herself from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia). Morgan isn't your average cleaning woman; she's a single mom of three with an off-the-charts IQ of 160, making her a "high-potential intellectual" (HPI). Her exceptional mind, insane attention to detail, and instant memory recall mean she can spot things no one else does. One day, while cleaning the police department, she helps solve an "unsolvable crime" by rearranging evidence on a murder board, Good Will Hunting-style. Naturally, the LAPD's Major Crimes Division recruits her as a consultant to work with the by-the-book Detective Adam Karadec (Daniel Sunjata).

Together, they form an unusual and unstoppable team. The show is based on the popular French and Belgian series HPI (Haut Potentiel Intellectuel) and was adapted for U.S. audiences by Drew Goddard, known for films like The Cabin in the Woods. The premise might sound familiar – a smart detective who notices things others don't – but with Olson's unique charm and the show's clever writing, it absolutely shines. Critics agree, with the show boasting a stunning 98% Rotten Tomatoes score across both seasons!

More Than Just Broadcast: High Potential Dominates Across Platforms

It's not just ABC where High Potential is a massive hit. The show is flexing its muscles across streaming services too, currently holding the #1 spot on both Hulu and Disney+! This multiplatform success highlights how modern audiences are finding and devouring the show, whether they're watching it live, catching up the next day, or binge-watching from the beginning.

The numbers speak for themselves: the October 7 episode hit a multiplatform season high of 12.5 million total viewers, with a 2.31 rating among adults 18-49 when factoring in ABC, Hulu, Hulu on Disney+, and other digital platforms. Even on linear TV alone, that episode garnered 8.09 million viewers and a 0.71 rating in the 18-49 demo, making it the #1 show of the night. Plus, the show has seen an impressive 29% growth in total viewers year-over-year compared to comparable dates last fall, making it the largest year-to-year increase of any broadcast drama this season. Clearly, word of mouth is spreading like wildfire about Morgan Gillory's captivating crime-solving adventures!

Kaitlin Olson's Journey to Morgan: Almost Turning Down the Role

It's hard to imagine anyone else as Morgan, but believe it or not, Kaitlin Olson almost didn't take the role! Coming off 17 seasons of the record-breaking sitcom It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia (which recently celebrated its 20th anniversary as the longest-running live-action sitcom), Olson was enjoying a different pace. She was working part of the year, spending time as a mom, and guest-starring in fun projects like HBO's Hacks. She even had plans to develop her own comedy/drama hybrid, preferably on streaming with a shorter episode count.

The idea of an hour-long drama on network television just wasn't appealing at first. It took her agent's persistence to get her to even read the script. "I fell in love with the character," Olson admitted, acknowledging her agent was right. We're certainly glad she did! While her iconic character Dee Reynolds from Sunny is known for her loud, physical comedy, Morgan allows Olson to showcase a more vulnerable side, proving she can nail dramatic scenes just as well as comedic ones, all while maintaining a spark of that signature spunk.

"I can't believe how lucky I am right now. I just don't know if I've been very vocal about it. I have a lot of friends who aren't working right now, especially in Los Angeles. There's just not a lot of projects and certainly not a lot of shows filming here. So I recognize how fortunate I am because my kids live here, and I live here. And my life right now … I don't ever take it for granted."

— Kaitlin Olson, speaking about her current success

Relatability and Authenticity: Why Audiences Connect with Morgan

What makes Morgan Gillory so relatable to millions of viewers? Olson believes it's because "a lot of people can relate to Morgan. It's nice to see a person who might seem very put together but be 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." Morgan's driving force is her kids, and Olson, a mom of two herself, understands that deep connection. "Once you have kids, nothing else really matters. If they're happy, you're happy," she shared.

The show also shines a spotlight on healthy co-parenting, something not always seen on TV. Morgan and her ex (Taran Killam's character from Season 1) may be separated, but they still respect each other and prioritize their children's well-being. This realistic portrayal of modern family dynamics, combined with Morgan's unique personality – from her loud, often revealing outfits to her rule-breaking tendencies – makes her an incredibly engaging and authentic character.

And for those wondering how Olson handles Morgan's complicated, fact-heavy dialogue? She admitted to a little "cheating" for the pilot episode's math-heavy scene: "There are just tiny Post-it notes with numbers everywhere. If you look closely, my eyes are looking at the ham to figure out what the next number is going to be. And I don’t regret it for a second. No goddamn way I would’ve been able to memorize all those numbers. You can’t improvise your way through math." Her honest, self-deprecating humor further endears her to fans!

Looking Ahead to the High-Stakes Fall Finale of Season 2

The first half of High Potential Season 2 is wrapping up with its fall finale on Tuesday, October 28, at 10 p.m. EDT/PDT on ABC (and streaming the next day on Hulu). This episode promises high drama with an inadvertently timely storyline: "When a priceless painting is stolen in a museum heist, Morgan and Karadec team up with an art-recovery expert to unravel a tangled case and fierce ownership battle. Meanwhile, Soto is determined to uncover the secrets hidden inside Roman’s backpack."

While the first few episodes of Season 2 might have had a "slower start" for some viewers who felt a particular arc was resolved too quickly, the show quickly regained its stride and has been building fantastic momentum ever since. As for when we'll see the second half of Season 2? That's still under wraps, but based on Season 1's pattern, it could potentially return in January 2026. The show's "normal TV" schedule, with seasons airing a year apart and having a decent episode count (13 for S1, 18 for S2), is also seen as a factor in its success, offering a steady, reliable viewing experience distinct from many streaming-only shows.

Why High Potential is the Must-Watch Show You've Been Waiting For

With its blend of intriguing mysteries, a stellar cast, and a truly unique central character, High Potential offers everything you could want in a procedural, and then some. It's a show that manages to be both "by-the-books" in its crime-solving format and incredibly fresh thanks to Morgan's unconventional approach and Kaitlin Olson's captivating performance. The chemistry between Olson and Daniel Sunjata, alongside the supporting cast including Javicia Leslie (Detective Daphne Forrester), Deniz Akdeniz (Detective Lev "Oz" Özdil), and Judy Reyes (Lieutenant Selena Soto), makes every episode a delight. Whether you're in it for the standalone mysteries or the overarching personal mystery of Morgan's missing ex, High Potential delivers. If you've missed out so far, now's the perfect time to catch up and see what all the record-breaking fuss is about!

Frequently Asked Questions About High Potential When does High Potential Season 2 air? New episodes of High Potential Season 2 premiere on Tuesdays at 10 p.m. ET/PT on ABC. The first half of Season 2 concludes with its fall finale on October 28, 2025. Where can I watch High Potential? You can watch new episodes live on ABC. For streaming, episodes are available the next day on Hulu. The show is also currently available on Hulu on Disney+. What is High Potential rated? While a specific MPAA rating isn't provided in the source material, as a network crime drama airing at 10 PM, it likely carries a TV-14 rating, suitable for audiences 14 and older. What is High Potential based on? The American series High Potential is based on the popular French and Belgian crime drama series titled HPI (Haut Potentiel Intellectuel). Sources

• Forbes: High Potential Season 2 Just Broke A 26-Year TV Record (Paul Tassi)
• Variety: ‘High Potential’ Is First 10 p.m. Drama to Hit No. 1 For the Fall Since ‘ER’ in 1999 (EXCLUSIVE) (Michael Schneider)
• Esquire: How Kaitlin Olson Made ‘High Potential’ a Hit (Nino Muñoz)
• Hulu Users Are Loving This Crime Series With A Near-Perfect Rotten Tomatoes Score (Danielle Ryan)
• Disney/ABC Press Release: ABC’s ‘High Potential’ Rises to Multiplatform Season High
• ScreenRant: High Potential Broke A Major Viewership Record After 25 Years