Honestly, it’s about time. For nearly two decades, Kaitlin Olson was the "bird" in the background of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, the punchline for some of the most depraved jokes in sitcom history. But if you’ve been paying attention lately—specifically to the ratings juggernaut High Potential or her Emmy-nominated turns in Hacks—you know the narrative has shifted. She isn’t just a sidekick anymore. She’s the anchor.
Looking back at Kaitlin Olson movies and shows, you start to see a pattern. She doesn't just play "funny" women. She plays women who are perpetually one minor inconvenience away from a total psychological collapse, and she does it with more physical commitment than almost anyone else in Hollywood.
The "Sweet Dee" Era and Beyond
Most people first met Kaitlin in 2005 as Deandra "Sweet Dee" Reynolds. It’s wild to think she almost didn't get the part because the character was originally written as the "voice of reason." Olson basically told the creators she’d only do it if they let her be just as terrible as the guys. It worked. For 16 seasons (and counting), she has refined the art of the gag reflex and the "dry heave" into a literal comedy science.
But if you think that’s all she can do, you’re missing out.
Take The Mick, for example. It was a short-lived Fox sitcom that felt like Always Sunny’s spiritual cousin. Olson played Mickey, a degenerate who ends up raising her sister’s silver-spoon kids. It was unapologetically mean, physically demanding, and frankly, canceled too soon. If you haven’t seen the episode where she tries to give her niece "the talk" while high on LSD, you haven't lived.
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A Career Built on Range (and Pratfalls)
It isn't all just shouting and falling down. Look at her work in Hacks. As DJ, the neglected, jewelry-designing daughter of Deborah Vance (Jean Smart), she brings a vulnerability that is actually heart-wrenching. She’s needy. She’s desperate for approval. And she does it while wearing the most ridiculous outfits imaginable.
That role earned her two Emmy nominations. It proved that she could stand toe-to-toe with a legend like Jean Smart and hold her own.
High Potential: The Big Shift
Right now, everyone is talking about High Potential. It’s a bit of a departure. For the first time, she’s leading a network procedural on ABC, playing Morgan, a single mom with a 160 IQ who solves crimes while working as a cleaning lady.
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It sounds like a standard "genius-of-the-week" show. You know the vibe—Monk or The Mentalist. But Olson brings this "lived-in" chaotic energy to the role that makes it feel fresh. She’s not some polished Sherlock Holmes; she’s a woman who forgot to pay her electric bill and has three kids screaming in the backseat.
High Potential has been a massive hit. It was renewed for a second season almost immediately, and as of early 2026, it’s one of the most-watched shows on television. It’s the role that finally forced the general public to admit she’s a leading lady.
The Film Side of the Coin
While TV is her bread and butter, her movie credits are surprisingly varied.
- Finding Dory (2016): She voiced Destiny, the nearsighted whale shark. It’s a sweet, charming performance that proves she can do "wholesome" when Disney cuts the check.
- Champions (2023): She played opposite Woody Harrelson in this sports comedy. She brought a grounded, romantic-lead energy that we rarely see from her.
- The Heat (2013): A small but hilarious role as Tatiana. Even in a movie with Melissa McCarthy and Sandra Bullock, Olson found a way to be the weirdest person on screen.
- Leap Year (2010): Remember this rom-com? She played the sister. It’s a very "early 2010s" role, but you can see her comedic timing peaking through the standard script.
The Secret Weapon: Curb Your Enthusiasm
If you want to go way back, check out her early appearances on Curb Your Enthusiasm. She played Becky, Cheryl’s sister. Most notably, she’s the one at the center of the "Beloved Aunt" obituary typo disaster. Watching a young Kaitlin Olson react to Larry David’s social incompetence is like watching a masterclass in the "slow burn" reaction shot.
She’s always been there. In the background of The Drew Carey Show, guesting on New Girl, or voicing characters on Bob’s Burgers and The Simpsons.
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What’s Next for Kaitlin?
The schedule is looking crowded. Between filming High Potential Season 2 and the ongoing (and seemingly eternal) production of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia, she’s reportedly working "literally every day non-stop."
There was even that massive crossover event in early 2025 where the Always Sunny gang showed up on Abbott Elementary. Seeing Dee Reynolds interact with Janine Teagues was a fever dream for TV fans. It also highlighted just how much of a staple she has become in the Disney/ABC ecosystem.
Why It Matters
We’ve seen a lot of comedic actors try to "go serious" and fail because they lose what made them special. Olson hasn't done that. Even in a drama-procedural like High Potential, she keeps that sharp, jagged edge. She’s a physical comedian who learned how to be a dramatic lead without losing her sense of humor.
She is the rare performer who can make you laugh at a disgusting pratfall in one scene and make you feel for her character’s struggle with motherhood in the next.
Next Steps for the Fan:
If you’re caught up on High Potential, go back and watch The Mick on Hulu. It’s the bridge between her Always Sunny chaos and her new status as a TV powerhouse. Also, keep an eye out for the Hacks Season 4 premiere, where her character DJ is expected to have an even larger arc now that she’s navigating parenthood herself.
Whether it's as a "bird," a genius janitor, or a neglected daughter, she is consistently the best thing on the screen.