Spoiler alert: The following article contains spoilers from the High Potential season 1 finale, “Let’s Play.”
High Potentialwasthe breakout network TV show of the 2024–2025 season,and ABC seemingly predicted it would be a success given the events of the season 1 finale. The police procedural, created by Drew Goddard, isbased on the French-Belgian crime dramaHPI. It centers around Kaitlin Olson’s Morgan Gillory, a high potential intellectual with an IQ above 160. Morgan works as a cleaning lady for the LAPD, and one night, while on the job, she stumbles upon an unsolved case. Using her gifted intelligence, Morgan figures out a suspect is innocent, resulting in her becoming an LAPD consultant.
High Potentialhas a 96 percent Tomatometer score onRotten Tomatoes, while its Popcornmeter (aka the Audience Score) sits at 81 percent. The website’s critics' consensus reads, “With the ineffable Kaitlin Olson on hand to inject some spiky personality into a familiar formula,High Potentialis a solid procedural with plenty of upside.”
High Potentialset multiple viewership recordsupon its release. Its premiere on ABC initially garnered about 3.6 million viewers. However, the pilot obtained a 220 percent audience boost after three days, adding up to 11.5 million viewers after the episode’s addition to Hulu, Disney+, and other digital platforms (perVariety). Consequently,High Potentialbecame the most-watched new series on ABC sinceThe Connersdebuted in 2018.The police procedural’s ratings only continued to grow, resulting in its season 2 renewal in January 2025.
High Potential Season 1 Ends With Multiple Cliffhangers
The Finale Doesn’t Contain Any Closure
It’s a good thingABC renewedHigh Potentialfor a second seasonbecause itsseason 1 finale ends with numerous mysterious and exciting cliffhangers.If the show had been canceled, viewers would be left with many questions that could never be answered (at least, on the screen). Thankfully,High Potentialhas been a triumph, meaning fans will see what happens next in the story.
ThroughoutHigh Potentialseason 1, episode 13, the team attempts to track down a kidnapper snatching people from a grief support group (which also includes Oz). The suspect likes to play games (literally) with Morgan and the detectives. The solutions, which Morgan is always able to figure out, lead to the victims. Unfortunately,the LAPD doesn’t catch the kidnapper by the finale’s end, but Morgan unknowingly comes face-to-face with him.
High Potential Finale Breaks A Season 1 Trend Both For Better & Worse
High Potential changes things up in the season 1 finale with 1 creative decision that breaks a year-long trend for Kaitlin Olson’s series.
While Morgan, Ava, and Elliot load their groceries into the car, an item falls out, and a man (played by David Giuntoli) picks it up and returns it to the family. Later, while unpacking the groceries, Morgan comes across a game she didn’t buy.A sticker on it reads, “You’re the one, Morgan. We shall play again. Me and you.“The man from before dropped it in her bag, meaning he’s the serial kidnapper. However, theHigh Potentialcast has a long way to go before they’re able to stop him.
High Potentialcontinues teasing Morgan and Karadec’s slow-burn romance, especially during their dance at the gala.
Karadec also calls Morgan right atthe end of theHigh Potentialseason 1 finale, after she has discovered the game from the suspect. He tells her thathe has found Roman, who is very much alive.The episode fades to black before the audience (or Morgan) can receive any more information. Elsewhere in the hour,High Potentialcontinues teasing Morgan and Karadec’s slow-burn romance, especially during their dance at the gala. Ultimately, season 2 has many cliffhangers to resolve.
ABC Must Have Known That High Potential Would Have Been Renewed For Season 2
The Network Greenlit The Obscure Season 1 Finale
Given the amount ofcliffhangers in theHigh Potentialseason 1 finale, it’s clear that ABC has a lot of faith in the series. If the writers were unsure whether the show would be renewed, they likely wouldn’t have ended its first season with many unanswered questions. Instead,they were seemingly confident that ABC would renewHigh Potentialfor season 2.
Garret Dillahunt
Lieutenant Melon
ABC executives probablyexpressed their belief thatHigh Potentialwould succeed.As a result, the show’s producers and writers knew they could end season 1 on their own terms, knowing season 2 was almost a guarantee. Thankfully, everyone was right, andHigh Potentialseason 2is on its way.
What To Expect From High Potential Season 2
High Potential Will Likely Premiere In Fall 2025
While it’s great that ABC renewedHigh Potential, the bad news is that viewers must wait at least seven months for season 2. It’s slated for the 2025–2026 season, meaning its premiere will probably air in the fall of 2025. When the police procedural series returns, though, fans should expect answers to the season 1 finale’s cliffhangers. Morgan and the team will continue investigating David Giuntoli’s villainous character. Meanwhile,Morgan should reunite with Roman.However,High Potentialseason 2’s storywill also include new mysteries as the characters continue working together to solve cases.
