High Potentialis one of the biggest breakout hits for ABC. The story of a single mother with a genius-level IQ who goes from cleaning the police station to being one of their greatest crime solvers has becomeABC’s most-watched new series in six years. The procedural’s mix of compelling mystery, humor, and dynamic performance fromKaitlin Olsonquickly resonated with audiences hungry for more.
While the wait may seem like an eternity in between each new episode, there are other similar series that will scratch the itch for more unsolved cases or unlikely detectives.From odd couple detective duos to comedies starring the always-funny Olson, here are some great shows to watch for fans ofHigh Potential.
High Potential
10’It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia' (2005–)
Created by Rob McElhenney
Fans ofHigh Potentialwho are unfamiliar with Olsenmight not be familiar with her work in the long-running comedyIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. The series follows a group of friends—and that’s a term used loosely—who work and run a dive bar called Paddy’s Pub. Each week, the gang will usually concoct a new scheme or poorly thought-out con to make a quick buck or for the pure pettiness of it.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiastars and was created byRob McElhenney, who is Olson’s real-life husband who she met on the show. The other cast members,Charlie Day,Glenn Howerton, andDanny DeVitocontinue to do projects outside ofIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, but their dedication to the sitcom brings them back to do new seasons as their schedules allow. Most recently,It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiawas in the headlines for its funny and surprising crossover with the elementary school-basedAbbott Elementary.
It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia
9’House' (2004–2012)
Created by David Shore
InHouse, brilliant but grumpy diagnostician Gregory House (Hugh Laurie) is able to determine what’s behind any of his patient’s illnesses; just please don’t ask him to talk to anyone. Each week,an episode would follow Houseas he insulted anyone within five feet of him while he struggled to solve the newest patient’s mystery ailment. Helping him through each day was his best friend Wilson (Robert Sean Leonard), his team of doctors who worked under him, and his secret addition to pain medication.
Laurie had been a fixture on the BBC for years, but it was his role inHousethat ingratiated him to American audiences. At face value, the show is a medical drama,but it’s also secretly a mystery series that takes the trappings of Sherlock Holmes and adjusts them into the hospital setting. While the series had its highs and lows of sometimes over-the-top cases,Housewas an enjoyable and entertaining ride for all eight of its seasons.
8’Lucifer' (2016–2021)
Created by Tom Kapinos
To prove that even the most far-fetched concept can work if done properly,Luciferbegs the question: what if the Devil solved mysteries? InLucifer,Tom Ellisstars as Lucifer Morningstar, otherwise known as Satan, who decides to abandon his home of Hell to live in a place with even more traffic—Los Angeles. It’s there he befriends a homicide detective named Chloe Decker (Lauren German), who he finds himself drawn to. Together, the pair will solve crimes with her forensic smarts and his abilities to manipulate souls as the devil.
The series can be a little silly, especially if a viewer doesn’t buy into the concept, but Ellis’ magnetic performance as Lucifer is a big part of the show’s success.Each week offered new mysteries while involving the supernatural elements of Lucifer’s eternal enemies and allies.Lucifer’s original home, Fox, would cancel the mystery series after three seasons, but because you can never keep the devil down, Netflix resurrected the show for an additional three seasons.
7’Mentalist' (2008–2015)
Created by Bruno Heller
A fraudulent psychic wants to use his skills for good in the massively successful CBS seriesThe Mentalist. The series follows Patrick Jane (Simon Baker), a psychic whose only real power was a heightened observational ability that allowed him to learn details about a person with information they unknowingly presented. Now working as a consultant for the California Bureau of Investigation, he helps law enforcement agents solve crimes while he hunts for the killer of his wife and daughter.
WhileThe Mentalistchecks many of the boxes that a standard procedural has, the series deeply benefited from the charismatic performance of Baker. During its time,The Mentalistdominated the ratings, with millions tuning in each week to see Jane solve his next case. During its seven-season run,The Mentalistwould allow new viewers an entry point with a self-contained case but rewarded longtime fans with Jane’s pursuit of the serial killer Red John, who had killed his family.
The Mentalist
6’The Mick' (2017–2018)
Created by Dave Chernin and John Chernin
Olsen had another prominent role before signing on toHigh Potentialwhen she served as the unlikely legal guardian for a group of rich nieces and nephews inThe Mick. The Fox sitcom followed Olsen as Mickey, a woman drifting through life when she is unexpectedly called upon to watch her sister’s kids after she and her husband are arrested for white-collar crimes. Thrust into a situation she’s not prepared to handle, Mickey raises the kids in an unorthodox style.
The people who loveHigh Potentialcan be grateful thatThe Mickwas canceled after two seasons, but those who watched the sitcom as it aired mourned the loss of a really smart and funny sitcom.The Mickwas sold to audiences as an adult behaving badly half-hour comedy—and to be fair, it was—but it was also witty and had a great deal of heart. After being in the ensemble ofIt’s Always Sunny in Philadelphiafor so long,it would be a test to see if Olsen could carry a show as the lead, and she passed with flying colors.
5’Sherlock' (2010–2017)
Created by Mark Gatiss and Steven Moffat
There have beenmany Sherlock Holmes adaptationsover the years, many of them quite good, but the best in recent years was the BBC version,Sherlock.Benedict Cumberbatchstarred as the titular detective, with his trusty friend and partner Dr. Watson (Martin Freeman) along to provide support as he tackles the most complicated cases based on the works of Sir Arthur Conan Doyle. While there have only been 13 episodes, each feels like a mini-movie with top-notch writing and acting.
Sherlock’s use of a modern setting to reimagine classic stories was an immediate hitwith fans who thought they had seen every possible way to present the classic detective. The series would propel Cumberbatch into high-profile status, landing him roles in projects likeDoctor StrangeandStar Trek Into Darkness, and introduce a new audience to the adventures of the world’s greatest detective.Sherlockleft such an impression on fans that nearly ten years after its last episode, there’s still hope for a revival.
4’Monk' (2002–2009)
Created by Andy Breckman
Monkis one of the defining entries in the television mystery genre, starring one of the most revered fictional detectives, Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub). The series follows Monk, an ex-homicide detective with an acute case of OCD that allows him to see details others would miss at a crime scene. Although he struggles to overcome his many fears, he still dedicates all of his time as a private detective who assists the San Francisco police.
Monkoffered a mixture of comedy, heart, and well-written mysteries that made it immediately stand outas a unique take on the standard detective show. While there is an overarching mystery about the death of Monk’s wife,each episode ofMonkis typically a standalone mystery, but odds are most viewers will start binging the entire series once they start. Shalhoub was highly celebrated for his performance as Monk, dominating awards season by winning a whopping eight Emmy Awards during the run of the show.
3’Castle' (2009–2016)
Created by Andrew W Marlowe
Another great ABC procedural to check out would be the highly popular mystery series,Castle. Best-selling mystery author Richard Castle (Nathan Fillion) has reached a crossroads in his career where he lacks that special spark to continue writing his successful novels. When he meets NYPD detective Kate Beckett (Stana Katic) during the investigation of a murder, Castle receives permission to shadow the detective so that he can base his next character on her. While she is initially resistant to his involvement, she begins to rely on him for advice, and they develop a budding romance.
AlthoughKatic and Fillion may not have beenthe best of friends behind the scenes, the animosity didn’t affect their on-screen chemistry. Their “will they won’t they” romance plays a large part inCastleandallows the series to be less reliant on the mysteries to drive each episode and follow their personal livesto keep the show fresh.
2’Psych' (2006–2014)
Created by Steve Franks
The hardest part about being a psychic is keeping the lies straight in the mystery comedy series,Psych. Shawn Spencer (James Roday) is an intelligent but directionless young man who is gifted with a photographic memory and observational skills that allow him to be a modern-day Sherlock Holmes. Hiding his observational prowess under the guise of being a psychic, he helps the Santa Barbara Police Department solve crimes with his best buddy, Gus (Dule Hill).
For a light-hearted dose of murder,Psychleans more on the comedy side than the serious, but it still presents interesting mysteries for the fraudulent psychic to solve. Roday and Hill have a rapport with one another that convincingly sells the idea that they’ve been best friends from childhood, and the fact that neither works as an official police detective puts a spin on the format seen in similar cases of the week shows. With eight seasons and more than100 episodes ofPsych, there should be plenty to keep someone busy while waiting for newHigh Potentialepisodes.
1’Poker Face' (2023–)
Created by Rian Johnson
A badge is not a requirement to solve crimes in the fantastic Peacock series,Poker Face. Charlie Cale has the uncanny ability to tell if someone is lying without fail, essentially making her a human lie detector. When she gets wrapped up in the death of a sleazy casino manager, Charlie will be forced to go on the run. While she stays one step ahead of the manager’s vengeful father, she’ll inadvertently find herself stepping into murder cases she can’t help but solve.
Poker Faceapproaches the format of each week’s mystery a little differently than the standard procedural, with the audience being aware of whom the killer is at the start of the episode. Rather than the conceit taking away the intrigue of discovering the culprit, what it does instead creates tension as the viewer watches to see how Charlie will crack the case.The mysteries aside, Lyonne is the definition of coolas she lights up the screen with a performance that makes her one of the most entertaining sleuths of the modern age.
