The American remake of one of France’s biggest hits has finally made its way to streaming in the U.S., and now it’s hitting screens in France. Tune into Disney+ to check out the U.S. version of the most popular French series of recent years.
Since its debut in 2021 on TF1, this French series has become a phenomenal success, consistently drawing an audience of 9 million viewers each broadcast evening, cementing its status as a blockbuster for France’s premier channel.
Conceived by Stéphane Carrié, Alice Chegaray-Breugnot, and Nicolas Jean, the series HPI stars Audrey Fleurot in a dynamic lead role. She plays Morgane Alvaro, a 38-year-old with three kids, two exes, five loans, an IQ of 160, and a defiant streak.
Her life as a cleaning lady takes a dramatic turn when her extraordinary abilities are noticed by the police, who offer her a job as a consultant. The catch? Morgane has a deep-seated dislike for cops! Nevertheless, she teams up with Commander Adam Karadec (Mehdi Nebbou) to form an unmatched crime-solving duo.
“HPI” Gets an American Remake
HPI has been sold in over 100 countries, but the United States decided to make it their own with a remake. The rights were acquired and the American adaptation was born.
Drew Goddard, known for his work on Buffy, Lost, and as the creator of Marvel’s Daredevil, not to mention his roles as writer and director for The Cabin in the Woods and Bad Times at the El Royale, is the mastermind behind this American version of HPI.
Titled High Potential, this Americanized version follows the same storyline. It features Morgan, a single mother of three with a quirky yet brilliant mind, boasting an IQ of 160.
Working as a cleaner at a Los Angeles police station, Morgan’s unique abilities elevate her to a top-notch consulting detective, despite clashing with Karadec, a seasoned detective who is her polar opposite.
After U.S. Success, HPI’s American Remake Comes to France
In the American version of HPI, the main roles of Morgan and Karadec are portrayed by Kaitlin Olson, known for her roles in It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia and The Mick, and Daniel Sunjata, recognized for his work in The Devil Wears Prada and TV shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Manifest.
Commissioned in 2023, the series High Potential premiered on ABC in September 2024 and has received positive feedback, averaging 3.6 million viewers per episode.
According to Variety, viewership for the pilot episode spiked by 220%, reaching 11.5 million viewers across all platforms including Hulu and Hulu on Disney+. Currently rated 7.7 out of 10 on IMDb, High Potential has become the most-watched new show on ABC in six years.
Morgan, a cleaning lady with an unexpected genius, revolutionizes investigations just like her French counterpart!
High Potential premieres January 23 on #DisneyPlus pic.twitter.com/iQ8noJ3JUP
— Disney+ FR (@DisneyPlusFR) December 9, 2024
Will it achieve the same success in France? Yes, High Potential is landing in France on Disney+. French audiences can start watching this American version, which concluded its airing in the U.S. just a few weeks ago, starting January 23 on the platform.