Kaitlin Olson faces a demanding workload this year, balancing her role on ABC’s High Potential alongside her longtime part in FXX’s It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. As production for the 18th season of It’s Always Sunny begins, concerns arise about whether Olson’s commitments will affect how much she appears as Sweet Dee in the upcoming season.
The Current Outlook for It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia Season 18
Fans of It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia have voiced frustration over the past few seasons, noting longer gaps between releases and reduced episode counts compared to earlier years. Seasons 15 through 17 each contained only eight episodes, whereas earlier seasons generally offered ten or more. Season 18 promises to address these issues, aiming to deliver more episodes and return to a steadier schedule.
Rob McElhenney, co-creator and star of the show, announced on Instagram that production for Season 18 began just before last weekend. By comparison, Season 17’s filming started in October 2024, about nine months before the second half of the Abbott Elementary crossover aired the following July. If production timelines stay consistent, audiences can expect a premiere around November or December 2026.
Importantly, when a fan expressed a wish for more than eight episodes this time, Rob McElhenney replied simply with “yep :)”, confirming that Season 18 will have a larger episode order. Although no exact number was revealed, this news has excited long-time viewers who hope to see more of the series’ trademark wild antics and sharp character moments, including memorable crossovers like Frank’s appearance on The Golden Bachelor or Dennis’s morally questionable exploits.
How Kaitlin Olson’s Workload Could Affect Her Role on It’s Always Sunny
Kaitlin Olson’s commitments have expanded significantly in recent years, notably due to her leading role in the ABC series High Potential. In 2024, she balanced filming High Potential’s first season with the 17th season of It’s Always Sunny. To accommodate this, High Potential’s original showrunner, Rob Thomas, stepped down and Todd Harthan took over, with the initial season capped at 13 episodes to prevent schedule conflicts.
However, it remains uncertain how well this balance will hold for the upcoming seasons. High Potential’s second season supposedly includes 18 episodes, but as of now, there are no announcements confirming completion of filming. This uncertainty reflects the mid-season hiatus caused by events like the Olympics and the State of the Union address, which may have delayed production schedules. The lack of social media posts celebrating a wrap suggests filming might still be ongoing.
Given this, it is plausible that Olson will not immediately return to full participation as Sweet Dee at the start of It’s Always Sunny’s 18th season. Her responsibilities on High Potential may limit her availability early on, though this does not necessarily mean the character will be absent from the entire season.
Rob McElhenney, who is also Olson’s husband, likely has a clear understanding of scheduling constraints and creative flexibility. This personal connection means he can plan sequences around Olson’s availability, ensuring Sweet Dee’s presence when feasible. The show has previously featured episodes concentrating on a limited number of characters, such as the single-character episode “Charlie’s Home Alone” from Season 13, which could serve as a model for handling Olson’s limited time.
Production Sensitivity and What Fans Might Expect
Interestingly, High Potential has included subtle nods to It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia. For example, the character Morgan Gillory sports fingernail designs referencing Olson’s other role. Such details demonstrate awareness and respect for Olson’s commitments across both series, suggesting cooperation between production teams to accommodate her busy schedule.
This thoughtful coordination gives hope that the ABC dramedy will not detract heavily from Olson’s work on It’s Always Sunny, so audiences might avoid any significant absence of Sweet Dee when the FXX show returns.
High Potential currently airs Tuesday nights at 9:00 p.m. on ABC, with episodes available to stream the following day on Hulu. Hulu subscribers also have access to all 17 seasons of It’s Always Sunny, allowing fans to catch up across both shows.
Looking Ahead: What Kaitlin Olson’s Dual Roles Mean for the Series
Kaitlin Olson’s continuing involvement in two major series underscores her versatile talent but also poses challenges for scheduling and storyline development. It is clear from Rob McElhenney’s remarks and the production approach that efforts are underway to expand the 18th season of It’s Always Sunny while accommodating Olson’s commitments to High Potential.
Fans can anticipate a more substantial season with additional episodes that may include creative storytelling adjustments to balance cast availability. As production progresses and more information is released, viewers will get a clearer picture of how Sweet Dee’s character arc will evolve in light of Olson’s busy schedule.
