High Potential (S1): Is A Good Crime Drama?

High Potential (Season 1/2024-2025) is a US crime drama with a female protagonist, Morgan Gillory (Kaitlin Olson), leading the charge. And, she is not an ordinary lady. And as the show title suggests, Morgan is a “High Potential Intellectual” (HPI), which is defined by an above-average intelligence quotient (IQ) above 130.

However, it is worth noting that the “High Potential” is an American remake of the French series “HPI” (2021-onwards), which has aired 40 episodes so far. Here, the “HPI” stands for the French title “Haut Potentiel Intellectuel” (or High Intellectual Potential), which defines the HPI heroine, Morgane Alvaro (Audrey Fleurot).

HP Dedicatedly Follows HPI, & Still We Like Watching It

Spoiler-Free Series Review: High Potential | Season 1/2024-2025

The synopsis

Morgan Gillory (Kaitlin Olson), a single mom with three kids and an exceptional mind, helps solve an unsolvable crime when she rearranges some evidence during her shift as a cleaner for the L.A. police department. When they discover she has a knack for putting things in order because of her high intellectual potential, she is brought on as a consultant to work with a by-the-book seasoned detective, Adam Karadec (Daniel Sunjata). Together they form an unusual and unstoppable team.

It has a fairly good (story) French source material

We have watched the first few seasons of the French “HPI” series in the past, and we really liked it. Then, more than a year ago, we watched this American “High Potential” show, which seemed to be a true copy of the original. For instance, the premiere (Pilot) episode is a scene-for-scene reproduction of its French counterpart. Even some characters have retained the same names. In conjunction with the character names and a nearly identical pilot episode, the murder cases are also consistent with the French version of the series. Nevertheless, for the first-time viewers, it is a good cop drama to watch.

FYI, actually, the “High Potential (USA/2024-….)” is the fifth adaptation of the original “HPI Haut Potentiel Intellectuel (French/2021-….)” series. Here are the names of all the different versions of the said original French series, as of now. Also, it is worth noting that the French “HPI” series is into its 5th season with 40 episodes.

Furthermore, it is pleasing to note that the American show creator, Drew Goddard, has completely Americanized, or should we say, Hollywoodize this French show. For the first time viewers, it surely looks like a well made American comedy-crime drama. In fact, his team of writers and directors are doing very well.

The adaptation of the story and series is praiseworthy, indeed. Moreover, the back stories of most characters are fascinating, too.

Besides, Kaitlin Olson & Daniel Sunjata are wonderful to watch as the lead pair

Both the seasoned performers, Kaitlin Olson (Morgan Gillory) and Daniel Sunjata (Adam Karadec), have done well to bring their own unique personality traits while portraying these two lead characters. Thankfully, they did not straightforwardly copy the French lead pair of Audrey Fleurot (Morgane Alvaro) and Mehdi Nebbou (Adam Karadec), who often radiate their French charm naturally in their show. On the other hand, the on-screen chemistry of Kaitlin Olson and Daniel Sunjata is equally pleasant to watch. Their friendly (and unfriendly) banters are the real highlights as they provide comic relief in the dark world of crimes.

In addition to the lead pair, we also appreciate the performance of Judy Reyes (Selena Soto), Amirah J (Ava Gillory), Matthew Lamb (Elliot Radovic), Javicia Leslie (Daphne Forrester), Deniz Akdeniz (Lev ‘Oz’ Osman), J D Pardo (Tom) and others.

To conclude, is it a good crime drama

Well, to be honest, we repeat that the source material is as fine as a French wine. So, definitely, the High Potential is a good crime drama that successfully infuses comedy into it. The other selling point of this crime drama is that we get to watch a new crime tale in most of the episodes. And the USP of the show is the fact that the super intelligent, Morgan Gillory (Kaitlin Olson), bring her fresh perspective. Actually, she smartly uses her high IQ to offer a credible explanation of the crimes and the behaviour of the criminals. As expected, most of the cops in her team are not as astute and perceptive as her.

It is fun to watch Morgan explain her crime theory to her colleagues, which is quite a contrasting sight to the much-familiar mansplain. Anyway, we are presently watching Season 2 of High Potential (have seen 4 episodes), and we shall bring its review soon. Meanwhile, enjoy this entertaining crime drama. Au Revoir!

Rating: High Potential (Season 1/2024-2025) Series

Poster: High Potential (Season 1/2024-2025) Series

Key Details: High Potential (Season 1/2024-2025) Series

Trailer: High Potential (Season 1/2024-2025) Series

A single mom with three kids helps solve an unsolvable crime when she rearranges some evidence during her shift as a police department cleaner.

It follows a single mom with an exceptional mind, whose unconventional knack for solving crimes leads to an unusual and unstoppable partnership with a by-the-book seasoned detective (Daniel Sunjata). 

Spoilers Alert: 13 Episodes Summaries & Trailer of the Season 2

Check out the YouTube Trailer link to the original French series Haut Potentiel Intellectuel (HPI). 

Lastly, read the FM Review of the Only Murders In The Building (Season 4/2024) Series in our Focus Magazine, which is also a comedy crime show.

Poster and Featured Image of the High Potential (Season 1/2024-2025) Series | Pictures Credit: Disney+.