Kaitlin Olson’s New ABC Series ‘High Potential’ to Get New Showrunner As Rob Thomas Exits (EXCLUSIVE)
ABC series “High Potential” is getting a shift at the top, as showrunner Rob Thomas has departed the project, Variety has learned. The series, which stars Kaitlin Olson, is set to air Tuesdays at 10 p.m. this fall, after “Dancing With the Stars.”
Production has temporarily halted on the show, although insiders tell Variety that the switch comes during a pre-planned production hiatus.
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It’s unclear what caused Thomas’ exit, but insiders said he had not been seen recently on set. Nonetheless, Thomas’ departure has been described as “amicable,” with studio sources noting that he has other projects in development at ABC Signature, which produces “High Potential.” A new showrunner is expected to be named shortly.
Production on “High Potential” had been well under way, having originally been ordered to series in May 2023, but pushed back a year due to the Hollywood strikes.
Thomas is a prolific producer who recently revived Starz’s “Party Down” to rave reviews; his credits include “Veronica Mars” (which also experienced a revival a few years ago) and “iZombie.”
Exec producer Drew Goddard is the writer behind “High Potential,” which is based on the French series “Haut Potentiel Intellectuel (HPI)” and stars Olson as “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 plays that detective, Karadec. “High Potential” also stars Javicia Leslie as Daphne, Deniz Akdeniz as Lev “Oz” Osman, Amirah J as Ava, Matthew Lamb as Elliot and Judy Reyes as Selena.
ABC Signature, a part of Disney Television Studios, is behind the show, which is exec produced by Goddard and Sarah Esberg for for Goddard Textiles. Rob Thomas is also credited as as showrunner and executive producer, alongside Dan Etheridge of Spondoolie Productions. Other auspices include Pierre Laugier and Anthony Lancret of Itinéraire Productions, a UGC company and Jean Nainchrik of Septembre Productions, a Mediawan Company. Alethea Jones is director and executive producer, while Olson serves as producer.
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