Warning: SPOILERS for the High Potential season 1 finale.High Potentialseason 1 ending means the show is on hiatus, but there are familiar and underrated shows alike to occupy viewers during the break. Kaitlin Olson leadsHigh Potentialas Morgan Gillory, a genius but eccentric mother who joins the LAPD’s Major Crimes Division alongside Detective Adam Karadec (Daniel Sunjata), Lieutenant Selena Soto (Judy Reyes), Daphne Forrester (Javicia Leslie), and Lev“Oz”Ozdil (Deniz Akdeniz). Morgan and Karadec may be partners in crime, but they also have a slow-burn romance foundation that will surely carry over toHigh Potentialseason 2.
Theending ofHigh Potentialseason 1left many storylines open to further development, like finding out the truth about what happened to Morgan’s first husband, Roman, who vanished 15 years prior to the series.High Potentialepisode 13additionally introduced“David”(David Giuntoli), a twisted criminal who abducts people and leaves riddles and puzzles for the police to solve.WhileHigh Potentialis off-air, many procedurals and crime dramas can fill the void, with quirky sleuth protagonists and similar character dynamics.
10Suits
2011-2019
One of the most iconic legal dramas of all time,Suitsfollowed Mike Ross (Patrick J. Adams) as he cons his way into a New York law firm under Harvey Specter (Gabriel Macht). Over9 seasons ofSuits, the dynamic duo solved countless cases as they tried to maintain their lies. Naturally, there are romances and tense conflicts, butSuits, at heart, is about finding the truth(even if the main character is living a lie).
Suits
Cast
Suits is a legal drama series that premiered in 2011, centering on Mike Ross, a college dropout with a photographic memory who lands a job at a top New York law firm despite lacking a law degree. Partnering with one of the city’s best legal closers, Harvey Specter, they navigate the challenges of high-stakes cases and firm dynamics.
Mike bears many similarities to Morgan, especially in the early seasonsas he struggles to deal with the titular“Suits”that suddenly have authority over him. Both characters are unassuming geniuses who feel a little too deeply for the people they work to help, with Mike often becoming overly invested in clients and Morgan obsessing over the victim or, in some cases, the culprit. Now would be the perfect time to tune in, since the spinoffSuits: LAis beginning its pilot season.Suitsis streaming on Netflix.
9White Collar
2009-2014
White Collarmight have one of the most unique detective protagonists of the 21st century: a convicted felon joining forces with the same agent who investigated him. Matt Bomer plays Neal Caffrey, a renowned forger and con artistwho strikes a deal with Special Agent Peter Burke (Tim DeKay).
Neal and Morgan’s storylines have obvious parallels, with both of them becoming standout consultants at law enforcement agencies for the express purpose of finding their loved ones.
In exchange for early release from prison to search for his missing girlfriend,Neal agrees to be a special consultant for the FBI. Neal and Morgan’s storylines have obvious parallels, with both of them becoming standout consultants at law enforcement agencies for the express purpose of finding their loved ones.
White Collar
White Collar is a crime drama television series featuring Neal Caffrey, a skilled con artist and art thief, portrayed by Matt Bomer. After being captured by FBI agent Peter Burke, Neal agrees to help the FBI catch elusive white-collar criminals as a consultant, leveraging his unique skills. The series explores the evolving partnership and mutual trust between Neal and Peter, blending elements of crime-solving and personal redemption.
Still,White Collaris original in that it offers relationship growth and character development that makes the audience root for a character who would be the villain in any other series. With a loomingWhite Collarrebootin the works, now would be prime time to watch the original run.White Collaris streaming on Netflix.
8Poker Face
2023-Present
One of the most recent projects in Natasha Lyonne’s illustrious career isPoker Face, a quirky and stylish crime procedural following Charlie Cale.Lyonne’s Charlie is a human lie detector trying to outrun troubles from her previous job, who travels the country and solves murder cases in her path.
10 Actors We’d Love To See In Poker Face Season 2
Poker Face season 1 had a huge cast full of great character actors and movie stars, and while it set a high bar, season 2’s cast can be even better.
Aside from her ability to tell when someone is lying, Charlie has an unmatched attention to detail that cracks cases wide open.Poker Faceseason 2has been confirmed, though the release date is unclear. Charlie and Morgan seem kindred in a sense, two characters who start at jobs where their unique skills aren’t utilized (Charlie as a casino waitress, Morgan as a night-shift cleaner) before realizing their affinity for crime-solving.
Poker Faceeven has a similar structure toHigh Potential, with each episode centering on a different case. From the aesthetic to the concept, the originality ofPoker Facemakes it a great contender forHigh Potential’s replacement during the hiatus.Poker Faceis streaming on Peacock.
7Murder, She Wrote
1984-1996
WhileMurder, She Wroteis an instantly recognizable title, far too many people have never actually seen the seminal mystery series. All 12 seasons ofMurder. She Wrotefollows Jessica Fletcher (Angela Lansbury), an author of mystery books who inserts herself in frequent murder investigations. From the quaint coastal setting to the episodic mysteries,each episode feels like a modern Agatha Christie novel(no coincidence, as the show’s title is a play on 1961’sMurder, She Said, an adaptation of a Miss Marple story).
Murder, She Wrote
Murder, She Wrote was a long-running Drama and Crime television series created by Richard Levinson, Peter S. Fischer, and William Link. Starring Angela Lansbury, the series chronicled a mystery writer that become involved in solving many of the murders that sparked in her fictional hometown of Cabot Cove.
Though at first glanceMurder, She Wrotemay not seem relevant,Jessica and Morgan are both skilled detectives in their own rightwho have to fight law enforcement’s skewed perception of them. Just like Morgan, Jessica often finds the missing puzzle piece that reveals the true culprit.Murder, She Wroteeven had iconic episodesthat help to preserve this classic’s legacy.Murder, She Wroteis streaming on Peacock.
6The Mentalist
2008-2015
The Mentalistis a more dramatic procedural, butPatrick Jane (Simon Baker) is an incredibly memorable character for better or worse. Prior to the series, Jane used his powers of perception to con hordes of people into believing he was a psychic medium. By the start ofThe Mentalist, Jane has abandoned his life as a con artist and shifted gears to help solve crimes as a special consultant.
Using analysis techniques associated with titular“mentalists,”Jane reads suspects, victims, and crime scenes in general to find key details that can break a case. Admittedly, Morgan would probably hate Patrick Jane. His attitude can be off-putting, butThe Mentalistdoesn’t try to convince the audience that he’s a hero.
The Mentalist
The Mentalist is centered on a famous psychic, Patrick Jane, who reveals to the world that he is a fake in order to start working for the California Bureau of Investigation. But the motive for his new job is simply to find the man responsible for the death of his wife and daughter.
The long-term villain of the series, a serial killer known as"Red John,“adds some intrigue to the first few seasons before becomingThe Mentalist’s main focus. Though Jane isn’t anywhere near as stylish as Morgan, his impressive deductive skills are still entertaining.The Mentalistis streaming on Hulu.
5Numb3rs
2005-2010
Numb3rsfollows the brothers of Don (Rob Morrow) and Charlie Eppes (David Krumholtz) after Don recruits Charlie to join him at the FBI. Charlie is a mathematical genius who brings his niche knowledge of a wide array of topics to each investigation, often teaching his high-profile coworkers something new in the process.
Aside from being an underrated show in general,Numb3rsincludes one ofDavid Krumholtz’s best rolesand deserves further consideration. While Charlie and Morgan may seem more different than alike,Charlie deals with the same skepticism within the FBI that Morgan does at the LAPD.
Numb3rs
Numb3rs is a crime drama series where FBI agent Don Eppes (Rob Morrow) teams up with his mathematician brother Charlie (David Krumholtz) to solve complex criminal cases using mathematical approaches. The show explores the synergy between law enforcement and mathematical theory.
Charlie might not have the exact experience of being ostracized that Morgan has, but his arrival as a special consultant isn’t without its own challenges. Aside from the main character,Numb3rsfollows increasingly eccentric cases that make for a great viewing experience.Numb3rsis streaming on Pluto TV.
4Monk
2002-2009
One of the earliest proponents of the eccentric police drama genre,Monkfollows the titular consultant Adrian Monk (Tony Shalhoub), a former homicide detective characterized by his intense phobias and Obsessive Compulsive Disorder (OCD). Though his symptoms are exacerbated after his wife is murdered, Monk remains a key member of the San Francisco Police Department. Despite the constant judgment and derision he faces, Monk is the most skilled detective in the series.
Monk
Starring Tony Shalhoub as Adrian Monk, Monk follows the titular detective, a private investigator with OCD who helps solve crimes with the San Francisco Police. On the side, he also investigates the death of his wife, who was killed by a car bomb. Bitty Schram, Traylor Howard, Ted Levine, and Jason Gray-Stanford also star.
Morgan’s HPI often presents with symptoms similar to OCD, with her admitting her obsessive need to seek answers prevents her from sleeping at times. Morgan and Monk are both overlooked by many until they display their unmatched detective work, not to mention that both are based in California. Thecast ofMonkhas branched out to other showsin recent decades, but the crime procedural is still regarded as a founding title in the genre.Monkis streaming on Peacock.
3Veronica Mars
2004-2019
Part-time high school student, part-time private investigator, Kristen Bell’s title character inVeronica Marshas regained a cult following in the years following the surprise 4th season.Veronica Marsoriginally aired a three-season run that concluded in 2007, but Hulu released the final chapter in 2019.
Though the quirky and borderline bizarre tone ofVeronica Marsis singular, watching Veronica almost feels like an alternate reality where Morgan’s father wasn’t so dismissive of her peers.
The neo-noir story follows Veronica,daughter of former Sheriff Keith Mars (Enrico Colantoni) who opens a private investigation firm. Veronica helps solve criminal cases as well as the more soapy conflicts between her high school classmates. The teen mystery/dramedy is the only show of its kind, andKristen Bell even staged aVeronica Marsreunionin her latest Netflix project,Nobody Wants This.
Veronica Mars
Veronica Mars is a drama mystery series that stars Kristen Bell as the titular teen detective who learns the ropes from her father, a California police sheriff. Following a “crime-of-the-week” episode format, each episode sees Veronica tackling new cases while carrying on her High School life, with a more significant, overarching plot carrying between episodes. Veronica’s side career begins following the death of her best friend, which sets off a chain of events leading to several smaller cases.
Though the quirky and borderline bizarre tone ofVeronica Marsis singular, watching Veronica almost feels like an alternate reality where Morgan’s father wasn’t so dismissive of her peers. Veronica may not have the HPI, but she certainly has the unique fashion sense to stand in for Morgan.Veronica Marsis streaming on Hulu.
2Psych
2006-2014
The similarities betweenPsych’s Shawn Spencer (James Roday Rodriguez) andHigh Potential’s Morgan have been pointed out time and time again, but both quirky detectives deserve their time in the sun.Psychfollows Shawn and best friend Burton“Gus”Guster (Dule Hill) as they join the Santa Barbara Police Department after Shawn convinces the Chief that he’s a psychic.
Shawn and Gus help solve case after case, always maintaining levityin the face of murder, kidnapping, and other high-stakes crimes.High Potentialwas originally regarded as a modernPsychreplacementdue to Morgan and Shawn’s similarly unique deductive skills and witty personalities.
Psych
Shawn Spencer happens to possess some uncanny powers of observation thanks to his father, Henry, a former police officer who taught his son to remember even the smallest details of his surroundings. When Shawn is accused of committing a crime that he actually solved, he convinces the cops that he’s a psychic – and with the reluctant help of his best friend, Gus, Shawn starts solving cases for a skeptical but increasingly impressed police force.
Shawn and Detective Carlton Lassiter (Timothy Omundson) have a love-hate working relationship, while Shawn and Juliet O’Hara (Maggie Lawson) have a slow-burn, will they/won’t they romance. Morgan and Karadec’s dynamic lands somewhere in between, butthe shows are undeniably comparable. James Roday Roriguez even directed theHigh Potentialseason 1 finale, embracing howHigh Potentialhas becomePsych’s spiritual successor.Psychis streaming on Peacock.
1HPI
2021-Present
Of course, there’s no better place to turn to duringHigh Potential’s hiatus thanthe show it was adapted from:HPI(Haut Potentiel Intellectuel).The French-Belgium procedural originated characters like Morgane (Audrey Fleurot) and Karadec (Mehdi Nebbou). Major plot points inHPIare the same asHigh Potentialseason 1, like the disappearance of Morgane’s first husband, her hectic family dynamics, and her tense relationship with authority figures.High Potential’s first episode was even a scene-by-scene recreation ofHPI’s pilot.
HIP - High Intellectual Potential
HPI Haut Potentiel Intellectuel follows Morgane, a 38-year-old with an IQ of 160 who balances life with three children and two exes. Her career takes a turn when the police recognize her extraordinary cognitive abilities and hire her as a consultant, shifting her trajectory from a cleaner to an investigative aide.
That’s not to sayHigh Potentialis a carbon copy ofHPI. In fact, though some worried watchingHPIcould spoilHigh Potential’s end-game romance, the ABC procedural hasn’t shied away from taking creative liberties.There are distinct differences between the two proceduralsthat ensure they maintain their unique identities, even though they will inevitably be compared.HPIis a wonderful crime drama, but watching it during theHigh Potentialhiatus won’t necessarily ruin the return of Kaitlin Olson’s procedural.
High Potential Needs To Break A Bad Habit With Morgan’s Children In Season 2
High Potential needs to change just one thing about how the show utilizes Morgan’s children moving into the next season.
It’s also worth noting that with such high viewership, ABC may have no choice but to deviate from HPI’s established storylines forHigh Potential. Assuming that the new series will be able to maintain its success in the next several years, it could surpass its predecessor’s run on the air. This means that eventually, it will have to craft its own future. For now, fans can check out Morgane’s story while waiting for what’s next for Morgan.
