Kaitlin Olson as Morgan and Judy Reyes as Lieutenant Soto in "High Potential."
Judy Reyes admits she "underestimated" the impact of the medical comedy "Scrubs" until a number of young medical professionals began to approach her about the show after the pandemic and Hollywood strikes. "I met a lot of medical students, particularly nurses, that say, 'Your show is the most realistic depiction of what actually happens in the hospital.'"
Judy Reyes

NEW YORK − Judy Reyes currently stars as Lieutenant Selena Soto in the ABC cop-and-consultant show "High Potential" and is preparing to reprise her role as Carla Espinosa in the revival of medical comedy "Scrubs." The actress has a different relationship with each series.

"'High Potential' is my boo," Reyes, 57, tells USA TODAY while joking "('Scrubs') is my side piece."

Sure, Reyes' run on "Scrubs" lasted for eight seasons compared to "High Potential" only being in Season 2 (currently airing Tuesdays, 10 ET/PT). But the actress says the reaction to the ABC drama has been "surreal," from seeing billboards on Sunset Boulevard in Hollywood to the subway ads for the show that she spotted outside her New York hotel room.

"It doesn't really feel real because it's so unexpected," Reyes admits. "People are still so passionate about the show. I'm grateful."

"High Potential" follows Morgan (Kaitlin Olson), a single mom of three with a "high intellectual potential." She was a janitor at the police station before helping detectives solve a murder. That led to a partnership with Lieutenant Soto, who sees Morgan's genius even when others at the police department do not.

"There's something about whatever (Morgan has) got to offer, this high intellect will yield results," Reyes says of her character's thinking. "I feel like Soto being a woman can relate to being either dismissed or disregarded or not taken seriously because of a quirk, because of being unconventional and all of those things. So I really feel that everybody continues to respond and connect to all of that."

The shocking Season 2 premiere also briefly introduced Mekhi Phifer's character, who may be Roman, the father of Morgan's eldest daughter or somehow connected to Roman. Reyes, who, like Phifer, is from New York, has yet to film any scenes with him but did get a chance to meet in the show's hair-and-makeup room.

"I'm pissed about that, by the way," she says with a laugh about not working with him. "He's the sweetest guy and I felt like I was related to him. I'm anxious to see where they're going to take his character."

Judy Reyes reflects on 'Scrubs' ahead of reboot

"Scrubs," the medical comedy that ran for nine seasons between NBC and ABC, will get a Season 10 in 2026 on ABC. Since the show left TV, Reyes' appreciation for it has grown.

"It was a cult classic," she says. "People quote it, people rewatch it all the time. It's like a comfort show for people. I didn't really realize that's what I was part of until it was over."

Reyes isn't quite sure if hopping back into her role of Carla will be like "hopping on a bike," but she's anticipating that it'll feel familiar because show creator Bill Lawrence is on board along with lead actors Zach Braff, Donald Faison and Sarah Chalke. Reyes says she mistakenly thought Braff had sent a group text with a link to the script, but it was actually a map of the set, which was built to exactly replicate the original.

Reyes reveals that filming will begin next month in Vancouver; she'll film four episodes with her "side piece," return to LA to continue with her "boo" "High Potential," and hopefully get a bit of a break after the new year.

This article originally appeared on USA TODAY: Judy Reyes dishes on a 'High Potential' actor and Zach Braff's 'Scrubs' group text

Reporting by Ralphie Aversa, USA TODAY / USA TODAY

USA TODAY Network via Reuters Connect