Kaitlin Olson in first look at ABC's 'High Potential' Season 2
"I remember shooting that day because everything on Morgan's crime board was very uniform. I said, 'No, no, no!'" Olson says. "Everything has to be slapped up there, with photos dangling and pieces of tape everywhere. There's a lot going on with that board. But Morgan knows where everything is."
In the first teaser trailer for Season 2 (premiering Sept. 16, 10 ET/PT, and streaming on Hulu), Morgan's Los Angeles Police Department partner, Det. Adam Karadec (Daniel Sunjata) asks, "Is this what the inside of your head looks like?"
"Oh buddy, not even close," Morgan replies.
Yet this infectious look into the masterful brain of the single mom and former police department cleaning woman — who earned her job as an LAPD crime consultant — propelled the freshman series into one of broadcast TV's few bright spots. Centered on the irresistibly watchable Olson, 49, the longtime "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia" star, "High Potential" is ABC's highest-rated new show among adults in seven years.
What happens with Morgan in Season 2 of 'High Potential'
Wildly dressed with Easter egg-colored jeweled nails, the unorthodox Morgan won respect from the LAPD Major Crimes Unit, which includes detectives Karadec, Lev 'Oz' Osman (Deniz Akdeniz), Daphne Forrester (Javicia Leslie), and mentoring boss, Lt. Selena Soto (Judy Reyes). "Morgan even earned her own desk," says Reyes. "It's a small one. But it's a desk."
Morgan has her hands full at home as a single mom raising three children, including baby Chloe and son Elliott (Matthew Lamb) from onetime partner Ludo (Taran Killam), as well as oldest daughter Ava (Amirah J) from mysteriously missing ex-husband Roman.
Last February's first-season finale featured a stacked double cliffhanger ending impacting Morgan.
The first shocker hit with the hot lead, suggesting that Roman might still be alive. Morgan processes this along with a disturbing bombshell: The cute guy (David Giuntoli) whom she flirted with in the grocery store parking lot is actually the crazed Puzzle Maker kidnapper who has been confounding the LAPD with brain-teasing clues to solve his nefarious crimes.
"Season 1 had a fun two-part ending surprise," says Olson. "And everything gets addressed in the new season."
"That parking lot meeting turned out to be so creepy, and he got so close to Morgan's kids," says Olson. "It's every mother's nightmare."
Things get personal between the Game Maker and the code-cracking Morgan. That makes the protective mom want to quit police work to keep the kids safe, "but it becomes quickly clear that Morgan doesn't have a choice," says Olson. There's only one path: Stop the Game Maker. The dangerous mind battle affects the already unorthodox police consultant.
How Steve Howey, Mekhi Phifer impact 'High Potential' cast
Olson declines to discuss who "ER" star Mekhi Phifer will play in Season 2. However, ex-hubby Roman could be a possibility. "Shameless" alum Steve Howey joins the cast as the politically astute new precinct captain, Nick Wagner. The smooth-talking Wagner, sporting expensive suits, is an office disruption, but also a potential Morgan love interest.
Any budding Karadec-Morgan relationship will be pruned down in the new season.
"Karadec is still Morgan's partner and they're building friendship and trust," says Olson. "But other people are coming into the picture. Let's play it out and see what happens."
'High Potential' for more wild Morgan outfits
Morgan's eye-popping ensembles, signature knee-high boots, and masterful nails won't cool off in Season 2. "I go into these costume fittings and Morgan's outfits are wild and completely insane," says Olson. "So that means they're perfect."
The show's success signals an extended run for Olson, who shot 13 Season 1 episodes while guest starring as DJ Vance Jr. in HBO's "Hacks" (Season 5 begins production this fall) and shooting FX's "Always Sunny" (Season 18 shoots this winter) while married to co-star Rob Mac and raising two sons.
"I'm doing it the way every mom does it," says Olson of her packed schedule. "You show up, you get it done, and then you go home and make dinner for your kids. I just do that all year round."
How to watch Season 2 of 'High Potential'
"High Potential" Season 2 kicks off Sept. 16 on ABC at 10 ET/PT and streams the next day on Hulu.\
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