Kaitlin Olson and costume designer Sandra Burns have revealed how the distinctive wardrobe of the lead character in ABC's crime procedural High Potential plays a key role in storytelling.
The series follows a single mother working with the LAPD.
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Her character, Morgan Gillory, is known for wearing bold combinations like short skirts, graphic tees, and chunky boots.
Wardrobe as a Performance Tool
Olson explained that Morgan's style is vastly different from her own, which helps her transition into the role during filming.
"Morgan's wardrobe is a huge part of the character, so the outfits are extremely important.
Because it's so different from how I dress, the clothes really inform how I stand and move and carry myself," Olson said.
Costume designer Sandra Burns noted that the creative strategy behind the wardrobe choices aligns with the character's unique intellect.
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"It shows us a little bit of the way that she thinks, the way she puts things together.
She likes to take risks, and she doesn't care what other people think," Burns said.
"She loves things that are bold and different. She's unapologetically herself, and that's how she wants to move about the world, wearing what she loves.
Maybe the way she layers or combines things is a bit like the way her high potential intelligence works."
The unconventional outfits mirror a character with a fast-processing brain and a chaotic personal life, subverting traditional expectations for TV crime dramas.
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ABC recently announced that High Potential will return in 2027 due to scheduling adjustments.
