High Potential Season 2: Why Its Cliffhanger Ending Needs a Return to Form

There's no doubt that ABC's new crime show, High Potential, was a big smash. The show instantly drew in viewers with its distinctive mix of procedural cases, real emotional moments, and cutting humor. Kaitlin Olson played the intelligent, quirky Morgan Gillory. Morgan's unusual talent for investigating crimes kept me interested, and there's no denying that the show really hit its stride when it balanced its procedural heart with an interesting overall mystery.

High Potential season 1 was a huge hit. The first episode alone drew 11.5 million people across all platforms in three days, making it ABC's most-watched new series in seven years. This many people watching a new show is unusual, and it proved that people were eager for something fresh. But season 2 has a lot to live up to after such a great first season and a finale that kept us on the edge of our seats.

High Potential Season 1 Set Up A Huge Cliffhanger With Two Parts

Morgan's past and present come together in a shocking end.

The end of High Potential season 1 really went all out. It had not one but two huge cliffhangers that left me speechless. First, Morgan knew she was face to face with the deadly David Peck, a serial kidnapper who was like Jigsaw and had been playing with the LAPD. This killer, who had become obsessed with Morgan's unusual thinking, left a creepy message saying that she was his next target. This change right once elevated the stakes, guaranteeing Morgan a direct, personal fight in the next season.

But the biggest shock was the news that Morgan's husband and Ava's father, Roman, had been missing for a long time. After 15 years, Karadec (Daniel Sunjata) told Morgan that Roman was still alive and that he knew where he was. Roman's unexpected departure makes sense now that we know he was an FBI informant. Morgan thought Roman had left her and Ava, but now everything is different for her. Season 2 has a lot of new possibilities. The crime procedural has masterfully intertwined Morgan's personal history into the tale, making these cliffhangers feel very important.

So far, here's what we know about Season 2 of High Potential

The cast is back, and a new person joins the precinct.

ABC quickly renewed High Potential for a second season, and production is already going forward. Season 2 is expected to start in the fall of 2025, perhaps in September or October. It will air on Tuesdays at 10/9c, right after Dancing With the Stars. The fact that everything happened so quickly shows how popular the show is, and it means we won't have to wait years for a resolution, which is always nice in today's world of streaming.

The good news is that the main actors are coming back. Kaitlin Olson will return as Morgan, along with Daniel Sunjata as Detective Karadec, Judy Reyes as Lieutenant Selena Soto, Javicia Leslie as Daphne, Deniz Akdeniz as Lev "Oz" Özdil (who thankfully lived through his close encounter in the finale), Amirah J as Ava, and Matthew Lamb as Elliot. Taran Killam is reportedly likely to come back as Morgan's ex, Ludo, who has become a lovable "manny" for her kids. This consistency is important because the chemistry amongst the cast is a big part of what makes the program function.

Steve Howey, who is recognized for his role on Shameless, is joining the squad as Captain Jesse Wagner, a new series regular. Captain Wagner sounds like he will shake things up at the precinct. People say he is politically savvy, charismatic, and a "disruptor" who thinks outside the box, much like Morgan. I'm interested to see how he gets along with Morgan and Karadec and whether he becomes a friend or another problem for them in their already complicated work lives.

High Potential Season 2 has to find a balance between romance and its procedural roots.

The show's strength is that it looks at each case separately.

With Roman's comeback coming up, season 2 has a big problem: how to deal with Morgan's personal life without taking away from the procedural parts that people adore. Morgan and Tom (JD Pardo), the janitor-turned-nursing student, have been flirting with each other, and there are signs that Morgan and Karadec are also interested in each other romantically. I like how the characters change over time, but what makes their relationship so interesting to watch is how frustrated Karadec is all the time with Morgan's behavior.

Todd Harthan, the show's creator, says that a relationship between Morgan and Karadec is "not off the table" for a long-running series, but he enjoys their "blooming loyalty and friendship" and doesn't see them crossing a line "anytime soon." I think this is the best way to go. If you make Morgan and Karadec fall in love too early, it could ruin the dynamic that makes them so interesting. Their professional relationship, which is based on respect and annoyance, is what makes the show "magic."

Also, Roman's return makes things a lot more complicated. It will be interesting to find out why he disappeared for 15 years and how it affects Morgan and Ava, but the program needs to be careful not to allow this personal drama take over the story. High Potential is basically a procedural, and viewers watch to see Morgan in action, observing, analyzing, and pointing out things that no one else could understand. If the Roman plot gets too big or too over-the-top, it could turn off fans who loved the show's unique way of solving cases.

High Potential Season 2 could be even better than the first.

The show can keep being great by focusing on what it does well.

Kaitlin Olson is a great actress in the drama genre, and her role as Morgan Gillory in the first season of High Potential was genuinely unique. It's not easy for a show to mix humor, heart, and high-stakes crime-solving. Season 2 includes interesting serialized plots to follow, such the return of the Jigsaw-like killer and the mystery of Roman's disappearance. But it's important that these bigger tales help Morgan solve cases better instead of getting in the way of her work.

I'm excited to watch how Morgan handles these new personal and professional problems. The show has a strong base, a brilliant cast, and a history of success. If High Potential season 2 can keep the smart writing and character interactions that made season 1 so popular while also delivering on its cliffhangers, it will definitely be one of the best new crime dramas on TV. You can watch the show on ABC every week and stream it in the U.S. on Hulu and throughout the world on Disney+.

Questions and Answers

When does the second season of High Potential start?

There is no specific date for the start of High Potential Season 2, but it is expected to air on ABC on Tuesdays at 10/9c in the fall of 2025, perhaps in September or October.

Who else will be on High Potential Season 2?

Steve Howey is joining the cast as Captain Jesse Wagner, the precinct's new charismatic and politically savvy captain.

What happened at the end of the first season of High Potential?

The last episode of Season 1 ended with two big cliffhangers: Morgan found out that the serial kidnapper was after her, and she found out that her husband Roman, who had been missing for a long time, is alive that Karadec knows where he is.

Where can I find High Potential to watch?

ABC shows High Potential every week. You can also watch episodes on Hulu in the U.S. and Disney+ throughout the world.

Will Morgan and Karadec get together in Season 2?

The showrunner has said that a relationship isn't out of the question for the long term, but for now they are focusing on the "blooming loyalty and friendship" between Morgan and Karadec, which means there won't be any romantic growth right away.