Who plays Lucia on High Potential?
Lucia on High Potential is played by American actor Susan Kelechi Watson, best known for This Is Us. She steps into the ABC crime drama in Season 2 as the long‑teased ex‑fiancée from Detective Adam Karadec’s past, finally putting a face to the name viewers heard about back in Season 1.
Lucia properly arrives in Season 2 episode 11, titled “NPC,” which premiered on Tuesday, January 27, 2026, at 10 p.m. ET on ABC.
The episode uses her return as both a character twist and a quiet emotional jolt for Karadec, who is usually more comfortable with rules than with messy feelings.
Why Susan Kelechi Watson Was Cast as Lucia
Susan Kelechi Watson was cast as Lucia because the series wanted a performer who could bring warmth, wit, and emotional depth to a character described as “wry, open‑hearted, and independent.”
Early casting notes only called her “a woman from Karadec’s past,” which already hinted at a layered history and a need for someone who can say a lot with small glances rather than big speeches.
Her track record in character‑driven dramas made the choice feel almost inevitable; the role needed someone who could make an ex‑fiancée feel like more than a plot device and instead like a real person who once shared a life plan with Karadec.
There is also a practical side: a familiar face from a widely loved ensemble like This Is Us naturally draws extra attention to High Potential Season 2, especially for viewers who follow character‑centric television.
For a show that mixes case‑of‑the‑week storytelling with slow‑burn emotional arcs, adding an actor with proven chemistry skills is a straightforward way to raise the stakes without forcing the story into melodrama.
Susan Kelechi Watson’s Career Highlights Before High Potential
Before joining High Potential, Susan Kelechi Watson had already built a strong television and film résumé across drama, comedy, and voice work.
She became widely recognised for playing Beth Pearson on the NBC drama This Is Us from 2016 to 2022, a performance that earned critical praise and award nominations for bringing nuance to a character balancing family, identity, and ambition.
Her earlier career included recurring roles on series like Louie, NCIS, The Blacklist, and The Following, where she often played grounded, observant characters who anchored scenes even when they were not the loudest person in the room.
On the film side, she appeared as Andrea Vogel in A Beautiful Day in the Neighborhood alongside Tom Hanks, adding another thoughtful, emotionally steady figure to her list of roles.
In recent years, she has continued with major TV work, including a main role as Jasmine Haney in The Residence and voice roles in projects such as Ada Twist, Scientist, showing a consistent pattern of choosing character‑driven stories over pure spectacle.
How Lucia Impacts the Storyline in High Potential
Lucia changes the storyline in High Potential by forcing Karadec to confront the life he almost had and the one he actually chose.
In the “NPC” episode, a chance meeting on the street shows that she has been moving around, trying new things, and then circling back into his world just as he has finally settled into a strange but functional rhythm with Morgan and the Major Crimes team.
Their coffee catch‑up and later scenes underline how much of Karadec’s past decisions were driven by work, including the break‑up where Lucia walked away because his commitment to the job left little space for anything else.
Within the episode, colleagues like Selena quietly encourage him to consider a second chance, hinting that he has changed since partnering with Morgan and learning to occasionally step away from the office.
By the time Lucia appears at the station near the end of the case, there is a sense that her return is not just a nostalgic beat but a possible new chapter that might complicate the delicate balance between Karadec’s personal life and his evolving partnership with Morgan.
Fan Reactions to Lucia on High Potential
Fans have responded to Lucia’s introduction with a mix of curiosity, excitement, and a little nervousness about what it means for the show’s relationships.
Early discussions flagged Susan Kelechi Watson’s casting as a big win, with many viewers pleased to see a familiar face from character‑heavy drama join a procedural that already plays with emotional undercurrents.
On social platforms and discussion threads, several reactions fall into a few loose groups:
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Viewers who enjoy seeing more of Karadec’s backstory and appreciate that the ex‑fiancée actually appears on screen instead of staying an off‑screen anecdote.
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Fans who enjoy the added romantic tension but still want the show to keep the focus on cases and Morgan’s unconventional methods rather than turning everything into a love triangle.
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Long‑time supporters of Susan Kelechi Watson who simply welcome the chance to watch her in a new setting, treating Lucia as another grounded, emotionally layered character in a growing list of memorable roles.
Disclaimer: The Information about Lucia on High Potential and Susan Kelechi Watson is based on publicly available casting news, episode recaps, and recent entertainment coverage. Details such as episode titles, dates, and character descriptions may change as the season continues, so viewers should check the latest official updates before relying on them.
