Warning: this article contains spoilers for High Potential.The first seven episodes of High Potential is the modern Psych. A significant portion of High Potential’s audience also came from It’s Sunny fans who tuned in just to see Kaitlin Olson. Her character Morgan Gillory, however, is the polar opposite of what those fans expected.

Olson has portrayed Deandra “Dee” Reynolds in It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia since 2005, with the actress only absent from a single episode in the near 20-year run. Acting alongside husband and show creator Rob McElhenney, Olson is a core member of the ensemble cast. However, the more time she spends away from Dee exponentially reveals how necessary High Potential’s change of pace is for Olson. The new ABC hit even argues that Olson’s breakout performance as Morgan in High Potential proves It’s Sunny should end.

High Potential Allows Olson To Flex Her Acting Muscles Beyond Comedy

Morgan Lets Olson Showcase A Range Of Emotions

Morgan offers Olson the room to develop a full-fledged character rather than a one-note caricature. With only the first half of its pilot season released, High Potential has already given Morgan more depth in a few months than It's Sunny gave Dee in decades. Olson's acting is at the forefront of High Potential, with her subtle facial expressions making just as much of an impact as her bold line delivery. She embraces different facets of Morgan, presenting her snarky fashionista persona just as authentically as her moments of pure maternal love or raw grief.

That's not to say Olson's work in High Potential is devoid of comedy. In fact, she portrays the hilarious genius, with High Potential's Morgan reminiscent of Suits' Mike Ross. The key difference is that Olson's High Potential work is grounded. Morgan doesn't make a spectacle for no reason. She can crack a joke while examining a crime scene and burst into tears when her daughter is held at gunpoint without feeling like a farce. Olson brings an extraordinary balance to Morgan's character that forever ensures the world re her vast acting range.

High Potential's Morgan Being Very Different From It's Sunny's Dee Makes Olson's Transition More Impressive

Olson Benefits From A Role Rooted In Reality

Whereas Morgan is a complex character with a strong internal moral com, Dee is chaos incarnate. The character is incompetent, volatile, and villainous at times. The difference between the two characters is as stark as night and day: Morgan solves crimes while Dee would likely be the criminal she brings to justice. Olson fully commits to the absurdity of Dee's character, but there's only so much she can do within the confines of the show's satirical comedy.

The character of Dee Reynolds was originally played by Jordan Reid, but Olson assumed the role following the unaired pilot.

While Olson has spent 16 seasons giving her all to Dee Reynolds, less than 16 weeks has been enough for the clamor for High Potential episode 8 to release. Ultimately, Kaitlin Olson is a phenomenal actress who has definitively proven she can entertain audiences at both ends of the drama-comedy spectrum.

High Potential returns on January 7 on ABC.