Kaitlin Olson has always brought her distinct mix of high-energy humor and physicality to her roles, but her recent performance in the new series 'High Potential' takes her craft to a disarmingly smart level. On a recent morning in Manhattan, the 49-year-old actress stylishly showcased her charisma, albeit while sporting a black finger splint due to a kitchen accident that almost severed her pinkie. Ironically, the incident reflects her all-in attitude — whether cutting lemons or making audiences laugh, Olson taps into life with a full contact approach.

Having co-starred in the cult-hit 'It's Always Sunny in Philadelphia' for nearly two decades, Olson has a history of tackling both physical and spoken comedy, often at her own expense. She has been injured numerous times on set, but she embraces the challenges, stating, “Definitely worth it,” when recalling those humorous yet hazardous moments.

'High Potential', Olson's latest project, showcases her comedic talents once again. The series is a twist on the classic procedural format, similar to 'Columbo' or 'Murder, She Wrote,' and adapts a French series that puts Olson at the center as Morgan — a notably intelligent character with an I.Q. of 160. "It’s a challenging role because Morgan is not just scrappy; she’s incredibly smart and self-confident," Olson said, revealing a new side to her talent. The character required a deft balance of broad comedy and emotional depth, a challenge showrunner Drew Goddard knew Olson would fulfill brilliantly.

Olson’s comedic journey began in earnest during her childhood in Portland, Oregon. She discovered her knack for performing in elementary school but faced a difficult turning point when a severe bike accident left her feeling like an outsider. However, she reinvented herself through theater in high school, leading her to the University of Oregon and subsequently to Los Angeles, where her career began to take shape.

After landing minor roles in projects like 'Coyote Ugly' and 'The Drew Carey Show', Olson got her big break in 2004 when she auditioned for 'Sunny'. Initially, the character Sweet Dee was underwritten, and Olson challenged the creators to enrich the role. Her input not only shaped Dee into a more vibrant character but also helped shift industry perceptions about female roles in comedy.

As Olson navigated her career, she demonstrated her versatility in roles such as the titular character in 'The Mick', but it was her more nuanced performance in 'Hacks' that truly showcased her range. For this series, the creators crafted a role specifically for her, revealing Olson’s capacity to handle emotional gravity alongside her comedic chops. Her work in 'Hacks' earned her two Emmy nominations, raising her profile significantly in the industry.

As Olson steps into 'High Potential', she can finally blend her innate comedic style with a character that bears real depth and intelligence. She embraces this opportunity, sharing: "I know what it’s like to not be able to turn your brain off," indicating the familiarity she feels with Morgan’s character. Moreover, the addition of motherhood to her repertoire gives Olson a chance to reflect on her own experiences and highlight realistic struggles, making Morgan relatable and endearing.

In a world where women’s intelligence in comedy is often overlooked, Kaitlin Olson is breaking barriers. Her transition from physical comedy to depicting a brilliant character is not just a career move—it's a celebration of women asserting their strength and intellect in every form of storytelling. As 'High Potential' unfolds, audiences can anticipate a thrilling mix of laughter and profundity, with Olson at the helm guiding our hearts and minds through her exceptional talent.