High Potential Honors Its Creator: Nicolas Jean’s Legacy Lives On
ABC’s hit crime drama High Potential took a moment this week to honor Nicolas Jean, the creative mind behind the original French series that inspired the American adaptation. The October 28 episode concluded with a touching tribute card reading “In Memory of Nicolas Jean,” leaving many viewers wondering about the man whose vision brought this beloved show to life.
Who Was Nicolas Jean?
Nicolas Jean was a French screenwriter and one of the co-creators of HPI: Haut Potential Intellectuel (High Intellectual Potential), the critically acclaimed series that premiered in France in 2021. Working alongside Stéphane Carrié and Alice Chegaray-Breugnot, Jean crafted a show that would eventually captivate audiences across Europe and inspire the American remake starring Kaitlin Olson.
Jean’s death on September 29, 2025, at age 63, came as a shock to the television community. The French writers’ guild SACD announced his passing, with no cause of death provided.
A Meteoric Rise in Television
What made Nicolas Jean’s career particularly remarkable was his unconventional path to success. Self-taught and entering the industry just 13 years before his death, Jean quickly established himself as an essential voice in French television.
“Nicolas Jean entered the industry 13 years ago and had a meteoric rise,” wrote Florence Philipponnat, a screenwriter and SACD administrator, in a tribute posted on Instagram. “Self-taught, with an atypical background that enriched his fictional stories, he quickly established himself as a talented and essential screenwriter on television.”
Philipponnat continued: “He had a gift for freely inventing original concepts, freeing himself from imposed constraints. And he knew how to intelligently surround himself with creative writers to develop them with him, because he was passionate about sharing and generosity.”
From France to America: The HPI Legacy
HPI has been a phenomenon in Europe, airing 38 episodes across five seasons. The show’s premise—a cleaning woman with an exceptionally high IQ who becomes a police consultant—proved universally appealing. American audiences can stream the original French series on Hulu under the title HIP: High Intellectual Potential.
ABC’s adaptation, High Potential, premiered in September 2024 and quickly became the network’s most-watched new series in six years. The show stars Kaitlin Olson as Morgan Gillroy, bringing Jean’s original concept to life for American audiences alongside Daniel Sunjata, Javicia Leslie, Deniz Akdeniz, and Judy Reyes.
The success was immediate and undeniable. Season 2 premiered on September 16, 2025, with Shameless alum Steve Howey joining the cast as LAPD Captain Nick Wagner.
Beyond High Potential
While HPI remains his most internationally recognized work, Nicolas Jean’s creative output extended to several other notable French productions. His credits include:
- Tomorrow is Ours, a popular soap opera
- The Mantis, a gripping serial killer thriller
- Impatients, a prison drama
- Promethea, a crime series
Each project showcased Jean’s ability to craft compelling narratives that resonated with audiences and critics alike.
A Tribute That Resonates
The dedication card that appeared at the end of High Potential Episode 7, titled “The One That Got Away,” served as a poignant reminder of the creative lineage behind the show. For viewers who may not have been familiar with the French original, it was an introduction to the man whose imagination sparked a transatlantic television success story.
The timing of the tribute, coming just weeks after Jean’s passing, demonstrates the respect and gratitude the American production team holds for the original creator’s vision.
Explore the Best: Inspired Product Recommendations
When we celebrate creative visionaries like Nicolas Jean, it’s also a great moment to spotlight other creations—this time, standout beauty and skincare products that are making waves, much like High Potential. For fans seeking top picks and curated essentials, here are some carefully chosen recommendations to explore:
- LANEIGE Lip Sleeping Mask EX – Berry
- Charlotte Tilbury Airbrush Flawless Finish Setting Powder
- NARS Afterglow Liquid Blush
- Hourglass® Vanish Airbrush Pressed Powder
- Hourglass® Vanish™ Airbrush Concealer
- rhode Peptide Lip Shape
Let your curiosity—or your self-care routine—lead you to explore these standout products.
The Show Goes On
High Potential is currently on a mid-season break and will return with new episodes on Tuesday, January 6, 2026. As the show continues to captivate audiences with its blend of procedural drama and character-driven storytelling, Nicolas Jean’s influence remains woven into every episode.
His gift for creating original concepts and his passion for collaboration have left an indelible mark on television on both sides of the Atlantic. While Jean may no longer be with us, his creative spirit lives on through the stories that continue to entertain millions of viewers worldwide.
The tribute card was simple—just a few words on a black screen—but its message carried profound weight. Nicolas Jean’s legacy isn’t just in the credits of a television show; it’s in every clever twist, every compelling character, and every moment that keeps audiences coming back for more.