The Ultimate Guide To The 'High Potential' Cast: 15+ Stars, New Faces (Like Steve Howey's Nick Wagner), And Their Must-See Past Roles

The ABC crime drama *High Potential* has exploded back onto the scene with its highly anticipated second season, and fans are buzzing about the dynamic cast that brings the fast-paced, witty procedural to life. As of December 2025, the series is a must-watch, blending the cerebral thrill of a detective show with the unique comedic timing of its lead, Kaitlin Olson. This season promises even more complex cases and, crucially, introduces a major new character that is already shaking up the precinct's hierarchy and adding tension to the core team's dynamic. We break down the full list of stars, their iconic past roles, and the latest updates on their characters for the current season.

The success of *High Potential* lies not just in its clever premise—a single mother with an exceptionally high IQ who helps solve cold cases—but in the chemistry of its ensemble cast. The show, which premiered its second season on September 16, 2025, continues to build topical authority by featuring a diverse and acclaimed group of actors, including a notable newcomer whose presence is a game-changer for the team.

The Main Cast: Full Biography and Character Profiles

The core of *High Potential* is its trio of main investigators, now joined by a powerful new captain. Here is a detailed look at the actors and the roles they play in the high-stakes world of the precinct.

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• Kaitlin Olson as Morgan Gillory:
  • Born: August 18, 1975 (Portland, Oregon)
  • Career Highlights: Best known for her iconic role as Deandra "Sweet Dee" Reynolds on the long-running FX comedy series *It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia*. Also received critical acclaim for her role as the chaotic, wealthy matriarch in the HBO Max series *Hacks*.
  • Role in *High Potential*: Morgan is a single mother of three with a genius-level IQ (160) who works as a consultant for the police department, using her unique ability to process crime scenes and draw connections others miss.
• Daniel Sunjata as Detective Adam Karadec:
  • Born: December 30, 1971 (Staten Island, New York)
  • Career Highlights: A Tony-nominated actor, Sunjata is famous for his dramatic roles, including Franco Rivera on *Rescue Me*, Paul Briggs on *Graceland*, and appearances on *Law & Order: SVU* and *Grey's Anatomy*.
  • Role in *High Potential*: Karadec is Morgan's skeptical, by-the-book partner who is constantly exasperated by her unconventional methods but relies on her genius to crack impossible cases.
• Judy Reyes as Lieutenant Selena Soto:
  • Born: November 4, 1967 (The Bronx, New York)
  • Career Highlights: Widely recognized as Carla Espinosa on the hit medical comedy *Scrubs* and as Zoila Diaz in the dramedy *Devious Maids*. She also received an Independent Spirit Award nomination for her 2023 film *Birth/Rebirth*.
  • Role in *High Potential*: Soto is the head of the unit and the direct superior to Morgan and Karadec. She is a pragmatic leader who tries to balance Morgan’s chaos with the department’s rules.
• Steve Howey as Captain Nick Wagner:
  • Born: July 12, 1977 (San Antonio, Texas)
  • Career Highlights: Most famous for playing Kevin Ball on the critically acclaimed Showtime series *Shameless* for all 11 seasons. He also starred in the sitcom *Reba*.
  • Role in *High Potential* (Season 2): Captain Nick Wagner is the major new player in Season 2. He is described as a "savvy political animal" and a mysterious figure who takes the captain position that Selena Soto was passed over for, immediately spelling trouble and tension for the team.

The Expanding Ensemble: Supporting Cast and Key Entities

The depth of the procedural is enhanced by its talented supporting cast, who provide crucial technical and emotional support to the main characters. Season 2 has expanded this ensemble, adding more layers to the precinct's dynamics and the overall topical authority of the show.

The Investigative Team

The main detectives and analysts are the backbone of the series, handling the day-to-day grind of the high-stakes cases:

• Javicia Leslie as Daphne Forrester: A key detective whose background and skills often complement the team's work. Leslie is known for her role as Ryan Wilder/Batwoman in the CW series *Batwoman*.
• Deniz Akdeniz as Lev "Oz" Özdil: The team's tech expert and analyst, providing the critical digital evidence and data that Morgan often uses in her deductions.
• Garret Dillahunt as Lieutenant Melon: A notable addition or recurring character in Season 2, adding another layer to the precinct's leadership structure.
• Taran Killam as Ludo Radovic: Known for his comedic work on *Saturday Night Live*, Killam's role as Ludo Radovic suggests a character who might bring a lighter or more eccentric energy to the procedural.

The introduction of Steve Howey’s Captain Nick Wagner is one of the most significant cast updates for the current season. His character is positioned as an immediate source of conflict, especially for Lieutenant Soto, who was expecting the promotion. This narrative shift signals a more politically charged atmosphere within the precinct, moving beyond just solving crimes to navigating internal power struggles. Wagner's presence is a major LSI keyword for Season 2 plot discussions, driving fan curiosity about his true intentions and whether he is a friend or foe to Morgan and Karadec.

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Recurring and Guest Stars (LSI Entities)

To achieve high topical authority, an article must cover the broader universe of the show. *High Potential* utilizes a strong bench of recurring and guest stars who contribute to the complex case-of-the-week format and Morgan's personal life:

• Christopher Cousins as John Ashford: Cousins is a veteran TV actor who brings a familiar, authoritative presence to the cast, likely in a high-ranking or recurring guest role.
• Addison Timlin as Brooke Kirkman: A character whose role is integral to the overall narrative, potentially connecting to one of the season’s long-running mysteries or the personal lives of the main characters.
• Amirah J.: A rising star whose character details are often kept under wraps but who adds to the diverse talent pool.
• Matthew Lamb as Elliot Radovic: Likely related to Taran Killam's Ludo Radovic, suggesting a family or personal connection that will tie into the season's storylines.
• The Game Maker: A key antagonist entity for Season 2. The plot involves a mysterious "Game Maker" who sets up elaborate and often deadly scenarios targeting wealthy individuals, and who eventually sets their sights on Morgan herself. This is a major plot entity that drives the season's tension.
• The Art-Recovery Expert: Another key entity linked to a major Season 2 plotline involving a priceless painting stolen in a museum heist. This character's introduction allows for new professional dynamics and a fresh type of criminal investigation.

Season 2 Plot Dynamics and The Power of the High-IQ Detective

The core theme of *High Potential* revolves around the collision of chaos and order. Morgan Gillory (Kaitlin Olson) represents the chaos—a brilliant, messy, and impulsive figure who relies on her extraordinary cognitive abilities to solve crimes. Detective Karadec (Daniel Sunjata) is the order, the grounded professional who must constantly manage the fallout of Morgan's genius-driven recklessness.

Season 2, which is currently airing, has significantly raised the stakes by introducing two major plot threads that challenge both Morgan's professional and personal life. The first is the aforementioned "Game Maker" storyline, which is a classic procedural device that allows the show to explore high-concept crimes with a personal threat to the protagonist. This cat-and-mouse game is a major LSI focus for the season, generating intense discussion among fans.

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The second, and perhaps more enduring, dynamic is the internal power struggle. Lieutenant Soto's disappointment at being passed over for Captain, coupled with the arrival of the politically motivated Captain Nick Wagner, creates a tense work environment. The *High Potential* cast, particularly Judy Reyes and Steve Howey, are tasked with bringing this nuanced workplace drama to life, adding a layer of sophisticated political maneuvering that was less present in the first season. This shift ensures the show remains fresh and unpredictable, proving that the series has truly found its stride in its second outing.