Kaitlin Olson is becoming one of the biggest TV stars, especially after she pulled double duty during the second week of January 2025 when she starred in new episodes of two big shows. After graduating with a bachelor’s degree in theater from the University of Oregon, Olson moved to Los Angeles to pursue an acting career in the late 1990s. At first, the actress did sketchy comedy and booked small parts in TV series here and there. However, Olson’s breakout came in 2005 when she began playing Dee Reynolds in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia.
Olson has starred in various other substantial projects over the years, ranging from her first TV appearance as Cheryl Hines’ sister in Curb Your Enthusiasm to voicing a whale shark in a billion-dollar Pixar film. She has also been nominated for three Emmy Awards — one for Outstanding Actress in a Short Form Comedy or Drama Series (for Flipped) and two for Outstanding Guest Actress in a Comedy Series (for Hacks). Many will always see Olson as Dee, though. But, her performance in a new network procedural drama might change how some view Olson.
Kaitlin Olson Returns in High Potential & It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia Episodes This Week
Olson Cameos With Her It’s Always Sunny Costars In Abbott Elementary
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The week of January 6, 2025, is the week of Kaitlin Olson on network TV. First, following a two-month hiatus, Olson reprised her leading role as Morgan Gillory in High Potential season 1, episode 8, on Tuesday, January 7. The new ABC crime drama series has been a ratings and critical hit since its premiere in September 2024. High Potential’s midseason return continued breaking records, suggesting a renewal is inevitable (and Olson won’t be leaving our screens anytime soon).
Abbott Elementary Season 4, Episode 9 Cast Role Quinta Brunson Janine Teagues Tyler James Williams Gregory Eddie Janelle James Ava Coleman Sheryl Lee Ralph Barbara Howard Lisa Ann Walter Melissa Schemmenti Chris Perfetti Jacob Hill William Stanford Davis Mr. Johnson Rob McElhenney Ronald “Mac” McDonald Kaitlin Olson Dee Reynolds Charlie Day Charlie Kelly Glenn Howerton Dennis Reynolds Danny DeVito Frank Reynolds
One day after High Potential, season 1, episode 8, Olson made a cameo as Dee alongside her It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia castmates in the show’s crossover with the ABC sitcom Abbott Elementary. The first part of the highly anticipated event premiered on Wednesday, January 8. To no one’s surprise, the It’s Always Sunny and Abbott Elementary crossover was well-received, continuing Olson’s dominance on network TV.
Related Why The It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia Gang Was Sent To Volunteer At Abbott Elementary The highly anticipated crossover between Abbott Elementary and It’s Always Sunny started in the ABC sitcom, with the Sunny crew coming to the school.
High Potential’s Morgan & It’s Always Sunny In Philadelphia’s Dee Couldn’t Be Any More Different
Olson Is Great In Both
Part of what makes Kaitlin Olson’s network TV takeover so fun is that the character she plays in the It’s Always Sunny/Abbott Elementary crossover and Olson’s role in High Potential completely clash. Dee is nothing like Morgan, and Morgan’s personality is a far cry from Dee’s. Dee is egotistical, shallow, desperate for attention, and, of course, hilarious. Meanwhile, Morgan is a genius, bold, caring, unconventional, and stubborn.
Part 2 of the Abbott Elementary and It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia crossover (an episode in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia season 17) will premiere in mid-2025, according to TODAY.
Since Dee and Morgan are so different, Kaitlin Olson’s ability to convincingly play them both is impressive, to say the least. The contrasting characters highlight Olson’s acting skills, making her talent all the more obvious when she stars as Morgan in High Potential one night and Dee in the Abbott Elementary and It’s Always Sunny crossover the next.
Your Rating close 10 stars 9 stars 8 stars 7 stars 6 stars 5 stars 4 stars 3 stars 2 stars 1 star 0/10 Leave a Review Your changes have been saved My List My Favorite TV Shows My Watchlist Success! 115 9.4/10 High Potential Morgan, a single mother of three with a brilliant but unconventional mind, partners with a methodical detective after solving a crime during her job as a cleaner. Together, they form an unlikely but effective duo, blending her unique problem-solving skills with his by-the-book approach to tackle challenging cases. Where to Watch stream
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buy Not available *Availability in US Release Date September 17, 2024 Network ABC Cast Javicia Leslie , Kaitlin Olson , Deniz Akdeniz , Amirah J , Matthew Lamb , Judy Reyes , Daniel Sunjata , Garret Dillahunt , TJ Lee , Kayvon Esmaili , Ariella Amar , Michelle C. Bonilla , Kerry O’Malley , Graham Rogers , Maia Jae Bastidas , Pamela Roylance , Rosslyn Luke , Sebastien Roberts Creator(s) Drew Goddard Seasons 1 Expand
Source: TODAY