This show definitely has the potential to become one of your faves this season! ABC's High Potential first premiered on Sept. 17, 2024, and has since become a major fan-favorite, having drawn 11.49 million viewers across platforms in its first three days and is the highest-rated drama premiere among adults 18-49 in almost four years. The show airs Tuesdays at 9 pm ET / 6 pm PT and you can stream episodes the next day on Hulu!
High Potential is based on the French-Belgian show HPI, and centers on Morgan, played by Kaitlin Olson (It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia, The Mick) a single mother with three children who is a cleaning lady for the Los Angeles Police Department. She is also a high potential intellectual, with an IQ of 160, and becomes a consultant for the LAPD's Major Crimes division. For those who want a bit of insight into why High Potential should be your next watch, it is reminiscent of other series such as Psych and Carter.
The cast also includes Daniel Sunjata as Karadec, Javicia Leslie as Daphne; Deniz Akdeniz as Lev "Oz" Ozdil; Amirah J as Morgan's rebellious teenage daughter Ava and Elliot's half-sister, whose father, Roman, disappeared 15 years before the series begins; Matthew Lamb as Elliot Radovic, Morgan's son with her second ex-husband Ludo and Ava's half-brother; and Judy Reyes as Selena head of the LAPD's Major Crimes Division.
In this interview, we sit down with Lamb to talk about his first series regular role, his brilliant portrayal of the quirky young prodigy, working with Olson, and what he looks forward to most when he returns to set for season 2 on ABC’s breakout drama.
The Parent Watch: High Potential has been smashing so many records, hitting its highest viewership so far, and it got renewed! It must be so exciting for you! This is also your first series regular role. How does it feel to be on a show that just got renewed?
Matthew Lamb: Oh, my! I'm thrilled. I'm so excited. Our cast already feels like a family already. I'm super excited to do this show for hopefully years to come.
You had a guest spot on a little show called Only Murders in the Building where you played Little Charles, which is super exciting. Going from that role to a series regular role, what makes High Potential so unique to be on?
ML: It is very different! I didn't actually experience that much of Only Murders in the Building. I was only there for one day, but it is very different. I love High Potential. The show is very witty, and I love the writing. There's something for everybody in the show, whether you're a mom or a worker or a child like myself or a teenager. It's very relatable.
You work opposite Kaitlin Olson, who is a legend in acting. What's it like working opposite of her and having her play your mom?
ML: It's fantastic and so much fun! She's so kind and welcoming to everybody on set. Whether you're a day player or a new crew member. It's just a master class watching her work. Morgan has a high IQ, and so does Elliot. That gives us a special bond in our characters, which is really fun.
You portray Elliot, who like you said, is a very intellectual kid. If you were introducing Elliot to a friend, how would you describe him?
ML: The first thing I would say is that he's very sweet and he's very kind to everyone he meets. He's a very fun, quirky guy. He's awesome. I would definitely choose to be his friend. He's super nice. I love all the fun facts he gives as well!
Are you similar to him in real life? Do you feel as if it was easy to step into Elliot, or was it a challenge?
ML: I don't know about the really intellectual parts of [playing him], but he is close to my personality!
Kids who may watch the show may come across it with their families and might resonate with the description of him being slightly socially awkward. As a young actor, any advice for kids who are watching and maybe feeling the same way and want to know how to make new friends?
ML: I would say be yourself. Don't try and become someone else. Just be you and talk to people, try and make connections, and just go for it!
The show is a crime drama, but there is that familial element to it, which is exhibited through your relationship with Kaitlin as Morgan. When it comes to crime dramas, is that a genre that interests you a lot? How do you feel about being in a show like this?
ML: Yes! I love the crimes! I think they're super intriguing and super fun to play detective with as you watch it. This is definitely something that interests me.
Since High Potential is renewed for a second season, that means that you have some time before you start shooting again. What are you looking forward to most?
ML: Definitely seeing everybody again and being back on our set. Honestly, we have a great set teacher so surprisingly enough, I'm excited to do school in our little school room we've made in one of the office buildings at FOX Studios. [My teacher] got us a class pet, a beta fish. And so he hangs out in the classroom when we're there, which is super fun.
That's a great incentive! Circling back to what makes a show so special for families or even people who are interested in crime? What do you think audiences are going to get out of watching, and what do you think that they might anticipate in the next season?
ML: They can look forward to, hopefully, some more family elements, and of course, some very intriguing crime stories, hopefully, some more with Roman, Ava's dad, kids being able to relate to Elliot and Ava. If you're a mom or a dad, relating to Morgan in those moments of balancing family and everything. Everyone should be super excited and looking forward to High Potential because it's a great show for more seasons to come!
Check out a short clip from the series down below on ABC's official YouTube channel:
New episodes of High Potential air every Tuesday. The next episode "Let's Play" airs on Feb. 11 at 9/8c. Catch up with the series on Hulu!