ABC’s hit crime dramedy High Potential has quickly won over audiences with its mix of quirky charm, clever cases, and a leading lady you can’t help but root for. Kaitlin Olson stars as Morgan, a single mom with a knack for solving crimes who surprises the LAPD by cracking open their toughest investigations. But while the show is set in Los Angeles, you might be surprised to learn that High Potential isn’t actually filmed there. So… where is High Potential filmed?
A Touch of France, A Whole Lot of California
High Potential is based on the French series HPI: Haut Potentiel Intellectuel, which was originally set and filmed in Lille, France. And although ABC’s version has been fully adapted to American culture and law enforcement, the production team still wanted to keep that offbeat, colorful energy alive.
While the story takes place in Los Angeles, most of the actual filming is done in and around Southern California, including Los Angeles County itself. The series uses a mix of studio soundstages and real urban locations to give it that L.A. feel, but with more visual punch than your typical cop show.
The production leans into vibrant color palettes, outdoor scenes, and eclectic interiors that help reflect Morgan’s unconventional personality. If you’ve noticed High Potential feels a little brighter and more playful than other procedurals, that’s no accident—it’s a visual signature borrowed from the original French series.
MORE: ‘High Potential’ Season 2 Adds Steve Howey And Promotes Kaitlin Olson
Studio Work and Iconic L.A. Backdrops
Some scenes are shot at established studios in Los Angeles, such as Warner Bros. Studios or CBS Studio Center, which provide controlled environments for intricate crime scene recreations and lab setups.
Outdoor scenes have featured locations like Downtown Los Angeles, Silver Lake, and Pasadena, giving the show a mix of polished and gritty energy. With Morgan’s family life being such a big part of the story, residential neighborhoods in Burbank and Eagle Rock have also made appearances.
MORE: Every Version of HPI You Can Watch While We Wait for High Potential Season 2
The Visual Style is a Star, Too
What sets High Potential apart is how the filming locations help tell Morgan’s story. She doesn’t live in a sterile police procedural world—she lives in a colorful, chaotic, very human one. Whether she’s chasing down leads in strip malls or talking suspects into a confession in donut shops, the locations ground the show in a reality that’s uniquely her own.
So while High Potential may wear the badge of an LAPD-set crime show, its real star is the way the production team transforms familiar parts of L.A. into something more imaginative and full of life.
And honestly? We’re high-key obsessed.
High Potential Season 1 aired on ABC.
