EPs compare new series “High Potential” with hit shows like “Lost,” “Alias” and “House”

“Because life is funny, absurd and terrifying. In the world of crime, I think we have to walk that fine line between solving a murder and being hilarious at the same time,” says Todd Harthan about the new series. High potential.

Based on a popular French series, the story follows single mother Morgan Gillory, who discovers an extraordinary mind and an unusual talent for solving crimes, leading to an unlikely partnership with a seasoned detective who works strictly by the book.

High potential is written by Oscar-nominated writer Drew Goddard and stars Kaitlin Olson, Daniel Sunjata and Jeudy Reyes. Harthan is the showrunner of the series.

Goddard, who serves as executive producer, explains the series' guiding principle as follows: “I'm not so interested in the plot in the traditional sense. I'm interested in the characters and the soul, and so I always start from the characters. And I think that's true for [series such as] Alias [and] Lost. These are big and operatic shows, but at the core they're about people. And what I enjoy is that these characters look back on their lives and analyze them, and the rest is kind of the glory of the show.”

Olson says of her character: “I love outsiders. I love characters who are so deeply insecure that they freak out.”

Looking back on her own life, she says, “I was just a very insecure kid and I knew in my heart that I wanted to act, but I was so shy that I never even tried. I mean, I didn't audition for a school play until I was in high school, so there was this weird inner balance of, 'I know I can do this, but I'm way too insecure to be vulnerable enough to open up and be rejected by people.'” Maybe that's a bit of the reason why I'm drawn to characters like that. I also just find more complex characters much more interesting, where these complete opposites are combined in one person.”

Although she enjoys the role, Olson says it also requires some effort.

“It's very high energy and there's a lot of very specific dialogue that I can't improvise. So I'm mentally exhausted, in a good way – I feel like I've given it my all at the end of the day.”

Harthan says there are “a few secret ingredients” that make the series “stand out from the crowd.”

“[With Morgan]I've never seen this kind of character on TV leading us through an investigation. It kind of reminds me of what I loved so much about HouseI had never seen a doctor like this, it was such a brilliant performance that you just had to see. And then, [there’s] the family aspect of this show. It is on another level. The authenticity and grounded nature and the intoxicating relationship of Morgan with her children are [such that] you almost forget that you are watching [a TV show].”

“High Potential” premieres on Tuesday, September 17^th on ABC. Episodes stream the next day on Hulu.