High Potential on ABC was a surprising, but very much welcome, addition to broadcast television after it felt like network TV had been stuck in such a lull. Though the drama series arrived, with lead star Kaitlin Olson, and it felt like the production breathed new life into the broadcast world. It's truly thanks to the writing, the story, the cast, and of course Morgan Gillory herself. Though, the show could have looked very different.
Recently attending the network's FYC panel, Olson revealed that she had one demand for ABC and the series, otherwise she was ready to leave the crime drama that's become so popular. I certainly can't imagine the series without her, though it could have easily happened. Here's what she said at the panel, per GoldDerby.
“I said, 'My kids live in L.A. and I'm not doing it unless it’s shot here.' If I’m signing on to the show and I know who’s running it, I know who’s directing it, I know who created it, I know what I’m going to bring to it — it’s going to be successful. I’m not moving across the country for the entire year, so we’ll do it here or get someone else, respectfully.”
We can understand Kaitlin Olson's demand to join High Potential
You know, I respect the actress for knowing what she wants and asking for it. Because she's right, it really is a big commitment to be on a show. Especially with the potential, pun intended, High Potential certainly looks like it has, it could be going on for multiple seasons and years. With two kids at home, Olson does not want to be away from them for that long. And again, we can definitely respect her for that.
Olson is married to her It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia co-star Rob McElhenney and the couple has two kids. They welcomed Axel in 2010 and his brother, Leo, two years later in 2012. In an interview with Variety, Olson and McElhenney revealed that they both have a "two-week rule" when on a job. So basically, neither of them can be away from home filming something for more than two weeks.
“I think that’s really important,” Olson said, while McElhenney shared that even if both of them are working, at least one parent is around for breakfast, school drop off, dinner, or bedtime. Even if the kids "don't get both" they're at least "getting one or the other." He continued, "we’re always making sure that no matter how busy we get, the messaging to the children is that they’re our No. 1 priority."
So all of that is to say that both Olson and her husband are committed to sticking to that rule, and being around for their children even if they are off being the successful actors that they are. This all goes back to Olson being willing to leave High Potential, if the series wasn't going to be filmed in Los Angeles.
Well, thankfully it all did work out because I definitely cannot imagine someone else taking on the role of extra smart, single mother Morgan Gillory! Plus, the second season is only a few months away as it's set to premiere this fall on ABC. And, it has a higher episode count this time around. I'm so ready!
High Potential season 2 is premieres in fall 2025 on ABC.