Fans of High Potential will need to exercise patience a bit longer than expected. ABC has confirmed that the Kaitlin Olson-starring procedural drama won’t make its highly anticipated return until midseason 2027, following the network’s announcement of its fall 2026 television lineup on May 12.
ABC Delays High Potential Until 2027 Midseason as Network Reveals New Scheduling Strategy. The decision to hold the show—which wrapped its second season in April—marks a notable absence from ABC’s autumn slate, which includes returning favorites like Scrubs, Abbott Elementary, 9-1-1, and Grey’s Anatomy.
Strategic Scheduling to Minimize Interruption
The network’s choice to push the show’s third season into early 2027 reflects a deliberate strategy designed to maximize viewership continuity. Ari Goldman, SVP of Content Strategy and Scheduling at ABC, explained the reasoning during the May 12 presentation.
“What we’ve seen the last several years, and we’ve really proven this out with Will Trent and The Rookie back in midseason of ’24 and ’25,” Goldman stated, “is we want to give viewers a chance to watch these shows with as little interruption as possible across the season.”
High-Profile Events Set the Stage for a Powerful Return
The network has strategically loaded the early 2027 calendar with major tentpole events that position High Potential for a significant comeback. “I think when we get to the midseason plans, and you think about the opportunities that we have on the ABC schedule, going from New Year’s Rockin’ Eve to the College Football Playoff, the Grammys, the Oscars and obviously the Super Bowl. I think we have such amazing momentum at the start of ’27 to bring the show back in a big way,” Goldman explained.
ABC Delays High Potential Until 2027 Midseason as Network Reveals New Scheduling Strategy. The move underscores ABC’s confidence in the procedural’s future. Goldman highlighted the show’s growing viewership as evidence of its staying power: “Clearly, the show is resilient.” The series experienced notable audience growth between its first and second seasons, signaling strong fan engagement.
Fall 2026 Lineup Emphasizes Competition Shows and Procedural Dramas
While High Potential remains sidelined, ABC is filling the crime-solving void with R.J. Decker, ABC Delays High Potential Until 2027 Midseason as Network Reveals New Scheduling Strategy, a new series starring Scott Speedman as a former newspaper photographer and ex-con turned private investigator. The show will debut its second season in the Tuesday time slot following season 35 of Dancing With the Stars.
Other confirmed fall 2026 returns include Shark Tank, 9-1-1: Nashville, Celebrity Wheel of Fortune, and Celebrity Jeopardy!
Notably absent from the fall lineup is The Bachelorette, following the shelving of its season with Taylor Frankie Paul during a domestic violence case involving ex-partner Dakota Mortensen. When asked about the potential air date for the scrapped season, Goldman offered little clarity: “There are no plans that I’m currently ready to share.”
