Note: This story contains spoilers from “High Potential” Episode 3.

On ABC's “High Potential,” Kaitlin Olson's Morgan is doubted by nearly everyone in the LAPD as she rises from janitor to police consultant, except for Lieutenant Selena Soto, played by Judy Reyes.

Instead of judging Morgan's unconventional style, Reyes' Soto becomes Morgan's greatest ally, accepting her ultimatum for a raise and childcare while Morgan juggles multiple gigs as a single mother. As Morgan counteracts Detective Karadec's (Daniel Sunjata) suspicions, Soto becomes a safe place for Morgan, which Reyes says reflects her character's empathy.

“That's one of my favorite things… to convey some empathy… where Selena connects with Morgan, reacts to it, or understands whatever is going on with Morgan,” Reyes told TheWrap, adding that Soto sees that Morgan is “something has to offer.” “Selena probably comes from a background…as a woman of color where her skills, her expertise, or what she needs to bring to the table in order for us to be able to bring her in and recruit her as someone who understands…” has been doubted really refreshing.”

In fact, creator Drew Goddard's script never included a version of Soto and Morgan's relationship that pitted the women against each other, and Reyes believes the strength of their relationship makes “High Potential” “more of a women's show.” “That said, most of my girlfriends have really responded to it and really value that relationship,” Reyes added.

It was easy for Reyes to develop an on-screen relationship with Olson, whom she praises as a “great leader” and “outstanding” actress and says the pair felt an “immediate connection.”

“We bonded like women, like grown women, like mothers as actresses, and it was really, really effortless,” Reyes said. “We actually take risks and chances on everything from jokes to drama and respond to each other – those are the things you live for as an actor, especially coming from the theater, so it all seemed to fit together, not only with her, but with the rest of the cast.”

The same connection between Reyes and Olson as women and mothers easily translated to the on-screen relationship between Soto and Morgan, with Reyes pointing out that Soto understands what Morgan has to offer as a parent: “Mothers are the best detectives.” Soto trusts her instincts as a leader and takes a chance with Morgan after seeing that “what Morgan set out to do has resulted in a result,” according to Reyes.

Soto's compassion for Morgan stems from her own rise to the top of the LAPD, which Reyes said was somewhat fraught. “(She) is someone who has worked really hard to prove herself and had difficulty finding fulfillment in … a conventional world, and in a conventional cop world,” Reyes said, adding that Soto probably has adult children and is a single person. “(She's had to) work really, really hard to get where she is so she can have access to these things…she's totally dedicated to her job.”

As Soto directs her team, which now includes Morgan, Reyes holds the top spot in the LAPD in “High Potential” as a woman of color, which Reyes feels is “an absolute honor and (a) responsibility.” “, to accept it.

“You don't necessarily feel burdened, but you know you're serving a purpose… and especially because I've been lucky enough to have worked so much over the years, I think it's a great opportunity to represent something Reyes said.

In addition to assisting Morgan as an advisor, Soto dedicates herself to investigating the disappearance of Morgan's ex Roman, which takes a turn in Episode 2 when Soto arrives at Morgan's door and reveals that Roman's car was found in a police lockup three days later was missing, in diapers in the back seat of the car. While Soto may have suspected that Roman had abandoned the family and Morgan didn't want to face that reality, the discovery flips the switch for Soto, according to Reyes, who said. “There’s a story here, something to be found.”

“Soto knows that a person like her, who figures everything out faster than anyone else but doesn't know what happened to Roman, torments her,” Reyes said, referencing Soto's commitment to helping Morgan find Roman. “Something about what Selena is experiencing, Selena finally understands and dedicates himself to helping her find him.”

Episode 3 also gives a glimpse of Soto's playful back-and-forth with Lieutenant Melon (Garret Dillahunt), although Reyes cautioned that their interaction was more a reflection of their history than any sparks, saying, “He's more competitive with Lieutenant Soto than anything else.” .” .”

“There's more of a history of partnership and resentment depending on where she is that he feels he's entitled to and he's always going to compete with that and tell her off,” Reyes said. “Maybe he'll find out he'll do whatever the ladies tell him too.”

Looking ahead to the rest of the season, Reyes teased that Soto is “making an investment in really figuring out where Roman is and how to get to him,” which she said “reveals really interesting storylines for everyone else, especially her and Morgan.” and the relationship she builds with Morgan to find out what happened.”

New episodes of “High Potential” premiere Tuesdays at 10:00-11:00 p.m. ET on ABC and stream the next day on Hulu.