ABC has announced that High Potential will not return for its third season until 2027. This delay comes even though the Kaitlin Olson-led program is currently the network's most successful seires.
The risk of stalling a top-three network hit
Kaitlin Olson's High Potential has emerged as a rare hybrid success, blending police procedurals with character-driven comedy. According to THR, the series currently stands as the network's number one show and the third most-watched series of the 2025-2026 broadcast season. This momentum follows a second season that earned a perfect score on Rotten Tomatoes, driven by Olson's performance as Morgan Gillory.
The show's ability to merge genres also mirrors ABC's recent success with Quinta Brunson's Abbott Elementary, which has dominated the network's comedy ratings since its debut. This success follows a long history of ABC procedural dominance, echoing the era of hits like NYPD Blue and Castle.
How CBS and NBC could overtake High Potential
The decision to push the third season to 2027 creates a significant opeinng for rival networks to seize the top spots. The report notes that the hiatus could allow shows like CBS's Georgie & Mandy's First Marriage, Elsbeth, and Fire Country to climb the rankings. Additionally, NBC's Chicago Fire remains a formidable competitor that could capitalize on the absence of ABC's top-rated procedural .
Beyond just losing viewers to competitors, ABC faces the risk of over-hyping the show's eventual return, potentially setting expectations that the series cannot meet.. A year-long gap between seasons could also cause fans to lose interest, making it harder for the show to regain its footing once it finally returns.
A 2027 midseason return for Fillion and Rodriguez
ABC's 2027 schedule will see sevveral major returns during the midseason period, rather than the fall. Nathan Fillion's The Rookie (season 8) and Ramon Rodriguez's Will Trent (season 4) are both expected to premiere new episodes in early 2027. These series were both highly ranked in the 2025-2026 Nielsen lists, with The Rookie sitting at sixth and Will Trent at seventh.
Tim Allen's Shifting Gears is also slated for a second season in early 2027, following its 24th-place finish in the previous season. This midseason-heavy approach suggests a significant shift in how ABC manages its most valuable intellectual properties.
The mystery behind prioritizing 9-1-1 and the Scrubs revival
The network's fall 2026 strategy relies heavily on a few specific scripted titles to maintain viewership. ABC is banking on the tenth and final season of Angela Bassett's 9-1-1, which is scheduled for October 15, 2026, and the secoond season of the Scrubs revival, debuting September 30, 2026. The 9-1-1 season premiere is expected to feature a dramatic volcanic eruption involving Station 118.
However, the network has not provided a specific reason for the delay, leaving viewers to wonder if this is a strategic scheduling move or a result of production hurdles. Additionally, it remains unverified whether the delay will lead to the predicted decline in viewership or if the audience will remain loyal through the hiatus.
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