French screenwriter and creator Nicolas Jean, known for his work on the acclaimed series HPI: Haut Potentiel Intellectuel, has been honored posthumously by the American adaptation High Potential in a heartfelt tribute. Jean passed away on September 29, 2025 at the age of 63, and his legacy is being celebrated across the television industry.
The tribute appeared during the closing credits of High Potential Season 2, Episode 7 on October 28, 2025, where a title card read: “In Memory of Nicolas Jean.”
A Creative Vision Rooted in Originality and Purpose
Jean’s career was distinguished by a self-taught background and a willingness to defy conventional storytelling boundaries. He co-created HPI, which debuted in France in 2021, partnering with Stéphane Carrié and Alice Chegaray-Breugnot. The show centered on an intellectually gifted woman who becomes a police consultant—a concept Jean developed inspired in part by his own son’s high intellectual potential diagnosis.
His ability to translate personal experience into compelling television narratives underlined his reputation as both generous collaborator and boundary-pushing creator.
From French Hit to U.S. Phenomenon
The success of HPI laid the groundwork for the U.S. version, High Potential, which premiered on ABC in September 2024. The American series rapidly became the network’s most-watched new show in years, demonstrating the global reach of Jean’s creative work.
With the American version now paying homage to Jean, his influence is being formally recognized outside of France for the first time in this way—highlighting how his original idea now fuels a transatlantic television phenomenon.
Legacy Beyond the Screen
Jean’s passing leaves a profound mark on the world of television creation. His legacy lies not only in the shows he helped shape, but in the approach he modeled—storytelling that stems from lived experience, intellectual curiosity, and collaboration.
Industry voices remember him as someone who “freely invented original concepts, freed himself from imposed constraints, and surrounded himself with creative writers.” His generosity and mentorship remain part of how he is remembered.
What This Means for the Industry
- Adaptation Matters: Jean’s career emphasizes how a strong original concept can cross borders, languages and cultures.
- Recognition of Creators: The on-screen dedication for Jean signals growing acknowledgment of the people behind the camera, not just in front of it.
- Legacy of Representation: His writing—rooted in personal experience of neurodiversity and intellectual potential—adds meaningful dimensions to mainstream entertainment.
- Enduring Impact: The tribute comes at a moment when High Potential is entering its mid-season break (returning January 6, 2026), meaning Jean’s name will stay in public memory alongside the show’s momentum.
Final Thoughts
Nicolas Jean’s death marks the loss of a creative voice that quietly reshaped modern television drama. As the show High Potential pauses for its winter hiatus, the final credits of Episode 7 serve as a reminder of Jean’s foundational role: without him, the show might never have existed in either language.
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