ABC's High Potential has become a ratings juggernaut, with its Season 2 finale drawing a staggering 12.69 million viewers. The Kaitlin Olson-led procedural has proven that audiences still crave smart, character-driven detective stories. But while you wait for Season 3, there's another series that scratches the same itch—with a much darker edge.
Enter The Mentalist, a seven-season CBS drama that shares High Potential's core premise: a brilliant outsider uses extraordinary observational skills to help police solve baffling crimes. But where High Potential leans into comedy and warmth, The Mentalist is a moody, psychological thriller that will keep you on the edge of your seat.
The Same Thrill, a Different Vibe
Both shows follow a similar formula. In High Potential, Morgan (Olson) joins the police as a consultant, using her encyclopedic knowledge and sharp eye to crack cases. In The Mentalist, Patrick Jane (Simon Baker) serves as a consultant to the California Bureau of Investigation, reading people and manipulating them to uncover the truth. The structure is nearly identical: a crime occurs, the team investigates, and the consultant sees what everyone else misses.
But the characters couldn't be more different. Morgan works closely with her partner, Detective Karadec (Daniel Sunjata), and follows—mostly—the rules. Jane, on the other hand, is a lone wolf who disregards protocol entirely. He'll seduce a grieving widow, run an illegal poker game, or stage a fake seance to catch a suspect. Both are geniuses, but Jane's methods are far more reckless.
A Darker, Bleaker Backstory
What truly sets The Mentalist apart is Jane's tragic past. Before the series begins, he was a TV mentalist and fake psychic. After boasting on air about helping catch a serial killer known as Red John, he returned home to find his wife and young daughter murdered—with Red John's signature red smiley face left behind. Haunted by guilt, Jane abandoned his showbiz life and now uses his skills to hunt the killer while solving other cases.
This backstory gives the series a fundamentally darker tone than High Potential's often chipper, comedic spin. Jane is a man scarred by loss, and his quest for vengeance adds a gripping emotional weight to every episode. Creator Bruno Heller weaves the Red John mystery throughout the series, making it a must-binge for fans of serialized storytelling.
If you're looking for more detective dramas to fill the void, check out our list of Prime Video Shows That Demand a Binge-Watch or explore other Forgotten Gems: 5 Near-Perfect Thrillers That Deserve a Second Look.
Why You Should Binge It Now
Though The Mentalist ended in 2015, it remains one of the best procedurals ever made. Its seven seasons are a perfect weekend binge, offering a complete story with a satisfying conclusion. For fans of High Potential, it's the ideal next watch—familiar enough to feel comfortable, but dark enough to offer something new.
So, while you wait for Morgan's next adventure, let Patrick Jane show you how a genius consultant operates when he has nothing left to lose. You won't regret it.
