ABC's High Potential, starring Kaitlin Olson, is a remake of the French series HPI, which has multiple international adaptations.
ABC has confirmed that its series High Potential, featuring Kaitlin Olson, is a remake of the French police procedural Haut Potentiel Intellectuel (HPI). The news, reported by TVLine, marks the U.S. adaptation as one of five international renditions of the original show, which began airing across Europe in 2021.
The original HPI gained significant popularity, achieving record ratings in French television history. Following its success, four other adaptations have been produced across Europe: Excellent Nikol in Slovakia, The Cases of the Extraordinary Marty in the Czech Republic, IQ 160 in Greece, and The Reluctant Genius in Hungary. ABC's adaptation appears timely, coming shortly after HPI's third season earned the highest audience ratings for a French series in the last decade.
In High Potential, Olson plays Morgan Gillory, a character derived from the original Morgane Alvaro, portrayed by Audrey Fleurot in HPI. Both characters leverage their high IQs to assist their respective police departments—Lille in France and the LAPD in the United States. While the core premise remains similar, there are notable differences in the character's presentation. Showrunner Todd Harthan has emphasized a more grounded version of Morgan for the American audience, shifting the character's tone from the somewhat flippant style of Morgane Alvaro to a more serious and reflective approach.
In a 2024 interview with TVLine, Harthan expressed his desire to create an American character who maintains the original's quirks without overwhelming the narrative's serious undertones. This creative vision seems crucial in maintaining a balance that addresses the emotional weight tied to the crimes depicted in each episode. In particular, Kaitlin Olson has noted that exploring the challenges of a character with such an extraordinary IQ is integral to the narrative of High Potential.
The conclusion of High Potential's second season left viewers on a significant cliffhanger, involving the life-threatening shooting of a major character. This climactic moment intensifies interest in how the narrative will evolve in the upcoming third season. With Morgan facing elevated stakes, the depth of her complexities—both as a savant and a person dealing with personal challenges—may provide compelling storylines moving forward.
The adaptation of High Potential not only highlights the growing trend of global content adaptation but also underscores ABC's investment in offering diverse storytelling that resonates with American viewers while leveraging proven successful formats from international markets. As the series develops further, it will likely continue to explore the balance between quirky crime-solving and the emotional ramifications for those involved in both crime and investigation.
For those interested in international adaptations, comparing the American version with its French counterpart could provide insights into their respective thematic takes on character and crime.
Source: TVLine
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