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Kaitlin Olson, a known comedian who's also gained praise for her range in more serious roles, stars in High Potential. Many remember her as Dee in "It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia". She recently is making her way into mainstream dramas while keeping all unique elements intact.
Kaitlin Olson is able to showcase her ability in different types of characters that span from over the top and funny to grounded and dramatic. This new role takes what many have come to love but elevates them in new directions.
Olson known for a comedic style, still brings her skill to a dramatic stage. With two emmy nominations from the show “Hacks” she was noted for her abilities outside the typical role of Dee. The versatility in style gives a larger appreciation to all that view her.
In the TV show "High Potential" , Olson plays Morgan a cleaning lady and single mother with a high IQ, working with LAPD as a consultant. It is both humorous while still highlighting complex moments of struggle. The role calls on a new side of acting showing she is very versatile for this type of format.
Morgan is layered as a character having complex motives while creating some light hearted moments and also solving some serious crimes. Olson incorporates her comedic delivery yet adds heart as she struggles with family drama as her motive is to find her daughter's father. This is what drives her to help with the LAPD investigations.
Drew Goddard who created the show mentioned he knew how well Olson would be able to carry this role, with her skills and emotional availability. In the pilot Olson wore an unique style with red eyeliner which is not usually her style which showcased a commitment for her character from her wardrobe.
Initially, Olson wasn't planning to join the series, having a background in comedy. However, her love of the character led her not only to star in the show, but to become an executive producer giving a greater ability to mold the character and the production elements overall. The time she gave to the character showcases a new level of engagement to each of her characters.
Olsson after parenting her young children and being a mother had a return to creative life by going back into focus with her career. At first family was priority one for her while having all of her creative energies and once they become older there was a way for her to jump into work. Now her family dynamic has become something where both mom and dad balance family as well as career.
She has a great support system from her husband, Rob, who she has to talk with prior to doing new projects. He has created new projects as well outside their shared work for “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.” which are a docu-series "Welcome to Wrexham” along with “Mythic Quest” showing his dedication to different projects. He mentions he sees a vast difference in her performance showing great depth which is more to the usual persona that she uses.
The many characters throughout her career all have had something different from each other yet remain uniquely her in their creation. She still wanted to highlight character depth and is more focused now on showing realistic qualities in her portrayals as she moves forward.
Olson recently completed shooting season 17 for “It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia,” and finds her role to be more familiar and easy to portray with each passing year. The long run of that series gives her the ability to show her talents on a grand level as this project gives an ease in creativity to explore a familiar character in new light. The show now includes crossover with “Abbott Elementary” showcasing new growth in TV programming.
High Potential challenges some familiar stereotypes. Morgan a very intelligent woman is often times underestimated because of the role she takes in life. Also how the approach to solving crimes was at times met with hesitancy but ultimately her insight was invaluable. She brings a perspective that the characters also recognize as being quite rare as she has a more clear focus.
Working alongside Daniel Sunjata, their character’s dynamic shows balance with his level headed personality versus her “frantic energy”. The dynamic also includes a possible romantic “will they won’t they” component. It also highlights different perspectives that make their characters well rounded individuals with growth shown throughout the story as they each explore themselves.