ABC Drops Hit Show High Potential From Fall 2026 TV Schedule
ABC is shaking up its winning formula. The network announced that High Potential, the hit procedural starring Kaitlin Olson, will sit out the fall 2026 schedule. Instead, the show will return in January 2027. The move leaves millions of viewers waiting, despite the show regularly drawing 12 to 17 million fans per episode with its family-friendly, pro-law enforcement storylines.
Inspired by the French-Belgian crime series HPI, which premiered in 2021, High Potential follows Morgan Gillory. She is a single mother of three children with an extraordinary IQ and observational skills, leading her to consult for the police department. In a television landscape often dominated by cynical programming, the show's focus on family and solving crimes alongside the LAPD Major Crimes Division has resonated deeply with heartland viewers.
Why is ABC delaying High Potential Season 3?
Despite dominating the ratings for two consecutive cycles, ABC has strategically excluded High Potential from its fall lineup. The network claims holding the show until mid-season is a deliberate strategy to air Olson's show in an uninterrupted weekly block. This approach avoids the frustrating reruns that often plague network television schedules.
Even so, sidelining a proven ratings juggernaut is a bold move. ABC's fall lineup will rely on established favorites like Abbott Elementary, Grey's Anatomy, and 9-1-1. The network is also introducing a new comedy drama about a disgraced newspaper photographer and ex-con called R.J. Decker. Other highly anticipated shows, including the new The Rookie spinoff The Rookie: North, are also being held until mid-season.
Will High Potential Season 3 have fewer episodes?
While ABC has not released the official episode count, Season 3 will likely see a decrease from its previous installment. The first season had 13 episodes, which is standard for a new network series. Its second season was upgraded to a full-season order of 18 episodes, giving Kaitlin Olson more crimes to solve and more time to unravel personal mysteries.
With a mid-season start, the series has less room to stretch its legs. However, the tighter schedule might actually benefit viewers. A shorter, uninterrupted run often delivers a more focused, fast-paced story without the filler episodes that drag out network seasons.
What happens to the LAPD team in Season 3?
When the show returns, it will build on the shocking Season 2 finale. Morgan Gillory, Detective Karadec (Daniel Sunjata), Lev