If you haven't caught the buzz on Hulu or ABC, here’s the setup: Kaitlin Olson plays Morgan, a single mom of three who works as a night cleaner at a police precinct. While rearranging evidence (because her brain literally can’t handle seeing things out of order), she "accidentally" solves a cold case.

The LAPD realizes she has "High Intellectual Potential" (HPI)—a real-world term often used in Europe to describe people with high IQs who process information differently. They hire her as a consultant, pairing her with a by-the-books detective, Karadec, played by Daniel Sunjata.

It’s based on a massive French hit (HPI: Haut Potentiel Intellectuel), and while the "genius consultant" trope is well-worn territory, this show breathes new life into it by making the genius a woman who is struggling to pay her electric bill and whose kids think she’s a "glitter-covered disaster."

Most "genius" shows feature characters who are cold, detached, or basically robots in human skin. Morgan is the opposite. She’s loud, she’s messy, and she’s a fiercely protective mom.

For parents, the draw is seeing a realistic (if slightly heightened) version of the mental load. Morgan isn't just solving murders; she’s calculating the exact cost of groceries in her head while trying to find her daughter’s lost shoe.

For kids—especially the "twice-exceptional" (2e) crowd who might be gifted but struggle with traditional school structures—Morgan is a superhero. She shows that being "different" isn't a disability; it’s a perspective.

Check out our guide on the best shows for neurodivergent kids

One of the most refreshing parts of High Potential is the portrayal of Morgan’s "village." She has three kids from two different fathers, and the show treats this with zero judgment.

Her relationship with her ex, Ludo, is a masterclass in healthy co-parenting. They aren't "together," but they are a team. He supports her new job, helps with the kids, and they actually like each other. In a media landscape where "broken homes" are usually portrayed as constant battlegrounds, seeing a functional, non-traditional family unit is a huge plus for Screenwise families.

The show is rated TV-14, which is fairly standard for a network procedural. Here is the breakdown of what you’re actually looking at:

It is a crime show. There are dead bodies, crime scenes, and mentions of various ways people meet their end. However, it’s "Network TV" violence—meaning it’s more about the puzzle than the gore. It’s not Mindhunter or True Detective. If your kid has seen Stranger Things, they can handle this.

Morgan has a bit of a "salty" personality, but the language is mostly mild. The themes are where the "14" in TV-14 comes from. The show touches on missing parents, addiction, and the systemic failures of the police and foster care systems.

This is the opposite of brain rot. The show actively encourages viewers to look for patterns and think laterally. It’s the kind of show where you can pause and ask your kid, "Wait, what did she see in that photo that we missed?"

Learn more about identifying "high quality" vs "low quality" screen time

If your family is looking for a new "together" show, how does it stack up against other recent hits?

This show is a goldmine for "car talk" the next morning. If you're watching with your teens or tweens, here are a few ways to dig deeper:

Ask our chatbot for more conversation starters about neurodiversity

High Potential is a rare 2026 TV win. It’s smart, it’s funny, and it doesn't talk down to its audience. Kaitlin Olson proves she’s more than just the "funny lady" from It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia or The Mick.

If you have a kid who feels like they see the world a little differently—or if you just want a crime show that doesn't leave you feeling depressed about the state of humanity—put this on the watchlist.

Screenwise Grade: A- (Lose the minus if they stop the "will-they-won't-they" romantic tension between the leads, we're over it).