Honestly, if you watched the first season of ABC's High Potential, you probably had a visceral reaction to Ronnie Oliver. You know the type. He walks into a room, immediately sucks the air out of it with a level of confidence that borders on toxic, and acts like his FBI badge is a license to ignore everyone else's intelligence.
But there is a lot more to Ronnie Oliver than just being the "annoying Fed" who shows up to make Detective Adam Karadec’s life a living nightmare.
Played by Jocko Sims (who most of us still associate with the much softer Dr. Floyd Reynolds from New Amsterdam), Ronnie is the ghost of Karadec’s past. He’s the physical manifestation of why Karadec was so stiff and untrusting when Morgan first stumbled into the LAPD precinct. When we finally met Ronnie in the episode "Partners," the tension wasn't just professional. It was deeply, messy-to-the-bone personal.
The Secret History of Karadec and Ronnie Oliver
We’ve all had that one coworker. The one who makes a mistake, sees the ship sinking, and manages to jump onto a luxury speedboat while you’re left holding a bucket and trying to bail out the ocean. That is basically the backstory here.
Years ago, before the events of the show, Ronnie and Karadec were a legendary duo. A "superstar crime-solving tag team," as some fans put it. Then, a huge sum of money went missing or, more accurately, was misfiled. It looked like they were both on the take. Instead of sticking it out to clear their names together, Ronnie Oliver took a promotion at the FBI and vanished.
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He left Karadec to deal with the internal investigations and the reputational fallout alone.
When Ronnie resurfaces to take over a high-profile murder case involving a tech mogul, he doesn't come back with an apology. He comes back with an ego. He talks past Morgan. He calls Karadec "Adam"—a name no one else uses. He treats the LAPD like they’re playing with Duplo blocks while he’s doing 4D chess.
Why Ronnie Oliver Matters for Season 2
A lot of people think guest stars like Sims are just there for a "case of the week" fluff piece. Not this time. Ronnie serves a very specific purpose in the narrative architecture of High Potential.
- He validates Morgan's value: By being a "traditionally" smart guy who dismisses Morgan, he forces Karadec to defend her.
- He humanizes Karadec: We finally see why the guy is so guarded. He was burned by the person he trusted most.
- He bridges the gap to the FBI: With the ongoing mystery of Morgan’s missing ex, Roman, having a "friend" (or frenemy) in the Bureau is a massive plot lever.
Actually, by the end of their reunion, Ronnie tries to make amends. He offers Karadec a job at the FBI. It was a tempting moment. Karadec turned it down, of course, because he’s finally found a partner he can actually rely on in Morgan. But that bridge isn't burned. In fact, Jocko Sims has hinted in recent interviews that "conversations are happening" about a return in the second half of Season 2, which kicked back off in January 2026.
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Jocko Sims and the Art of Being Likable-Ish
It takes a specific kind of actor to play someone as condescending as Ronnie Oliver without making the audience turn off the TV. Sims leans into the arrogance. He uses his height and that polished "Bureau" cadence to create a character that feels like he belongs in a different, more serious show.
This creates a brilliant contrast with Kaitlin Olson’s Morgan.
While Morgan is chaotic, colorful, and hyper-observant, Ronnie is rigid and relies on "terabytes of data." He represents the old way of doing things—big resources, big ego, slow results. Morgan, with her 160 IQ and penchant for noticing the specific brand of a victim's shirt, represents the future. Ronnie isn't a villain, he's just a guy who thinks he’s the protagonist of a movie that Morgan is currently rewriting.
What Most Fans Miss About the "Partners" Dynamic
If you look closely at the episode "Partners," the resolution between the two men is actually quite subtle. They don't have a big "hug it out" moment. Instead, Ronnie gives Morgan and Karadec access to the FBI’s intel. He stops gatekeeping.
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This is a huge growth arc compressed into forty minutes.
The real takeaway? Ronnie Oliver is a mirror. He shows us what Karadec could have become if he hadn't met Morgan: a cynical, career-focused loner who prioritizes the "win" over the people involved.
Actionable Takeaways for High Potential Fans
If you're keeping track of the lore as we head deeper into the 2026 season, here is what you need to keep an eye on regarding Ronnie:
- Watch the Roman Investigation: If the LAPD hits a dead end with Morgan's ex, expect Ronnie Oliver to be the one "leaking" FBI files to Karadec under the table.
- The Job Offer is Still There: Just because Karadec said no once doesn't mean the FBI is done with him. If the LAPD politics get too hairy under the new Captain, Nick Wagner, that FBI badge might start looking a lot more attractive.
- Sims' Availability: Since Jocko Sims is busy with Grosse Pointe Garden Society, don't expect him in every episode. He's a "break glass in case of emergency" character.
The presence of Ronnie Oliver changed the chemistry of the show. He turned a quirky procedural into something with real history and stakes. Whether you love him or want to see Karadec finally punch him in the nose, you can't deny that the show is better when he's around to stir the pot.
Keep an eye on the Tuesday night slots on ABC. With the midseason premiere now behind us, the ripple effects of Ronnie’s "apology" offer are likely to define Karadec's loyalty for the rest of the year.