High Potential Season 2’s First Roman Reveal Could Be A Nod To HPI

Warning: SPOILERS for High Potential season 2, episode 1.High Potential season 2 is finally making headway on its biggest mystery, but a new revelation could be a genius callback to the original French series. Kaitlin Olson’s work as Morgan Gillory has been so impressive, she was widely regarded as one of the biggest Emmy snubs of 2025. As such, it’s easy to forget she didn’t originate the role.

Granted, there are major differences between Morgan and the original Morgane (Audrey Fleurot), but Morgan’s backstory in High Potential is still too enigmatic to write off possible parallels. Nevertheless, the two women share one key plot: losing their first love, Roman/Romain. High Potential’s Roman twist, however, could further connect the genius protagonists through one detail in season 2, episode 1.

Roman’s Nevada Reveal Mirrors French Predecessor HPI’s Biggest Romain Twist

Since ABC’s hit procedural debuted, it was obvious High Potential would be an adaptation of HPI, not a direct translation. Every aspect of the drama is imbued with refreshing idiosyncrasies, including how ABC is tackling Roman’s disappearance. Building off the first finale’s cliffhanger ending, High Potential’s season 2 premiere revealed Roman is alive and hiding out in Nevada.

The location was never specified beyond the state, but it could be a subtle nod to HPI’s Romain plot. In the original series, Romain fled his life with Morgane after he was caught counting cards to hustle a casino. Given that Las Vegas, Nevada is the epicenter of American gambling, Roman’s hideout seems like a callback rather than pure coincidence.

Why ABC Is Likely Still Taking High Potential’s Roman In A New Direction

It’s possible High Potential could borrow from its French predecessor for key character details, but ABC has already set Roman apart from Romain. Furthermore, while the LAPD will find Morgan’s ex in Nevada, it’s highly unlikely he’ll be gambling like his French counterpart. Roman’s disappearance is still largely unsolved, but High Potential season 1 has already added a unique spin.

Unlike Romain, who was pulled into a scam by Morgane’s father, Roman was working as an undercover FBI informant prior to the events of High Potential. His handler, Lila Flynn, was murdered shortly before he vanished, setting up one of two plotlines for Roman: he was either an accomplice or an unlucky witness.

Whether Roman realized Lila was corrupt and killed her in self-defense or the pair were discovered by the criminal organization they were investigating, the unsolved murder was surely the catalyst for his disappearance. High Potential could still take a turn and make Roman leaving more of a choice than a conspiracy, but only time will tell why he’s in Nevada.

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