In the ABC crime drama series High Potential, Matthew Lamb plays the regular character Elliot Radovic alongside his on-screen mother Kaitlin Olson, who stars as lead character Morgan Gillory, with Series 1 premiering last year and released in the UK on Disney+, and Series 2 will be releasing this September. Last year, Matthew played Claude Herdman in the screen adaptation of Barbara Robinson’s novel The Best Christmas Pageant Ever and Benji in the romantic comedy-horror film Your Monster. Further screen roles for Matthew include playing Raymond in drama thriller film Manodrome alongside Jesse Eisenberg, Jackson in Smile for his first feature film, and he made his television debut with a guest role in Series 2 of Only Murders in the Building, in which he played Little Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin). As a voice actor, Matthew voices Young Billy in Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld, Harry Haphazard in Firebuds, Andy in Spidey and His Amazing Friends, and Rocky in the PAW Patrol World video game. Also a stage actor, Matthew most recently played The Little Boy in Ragtime, originally at Signature Theatre, reprising his role in the New York City production at the end of last year, and he worked alongside Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez when he played Frank Jr. in the off-Broadway production of Merrily We Roll Along. Matthew chatted to us about his regular role of Elliot Radovic in High Potential, playing Claude Herdman in the 2024 film The Best Christmas Pageant Ever, his guest role of Little Charles-Haden Savage (Steve Martin) in Only Murders in the Building, his voiceover work and performing with Tony Award-winners Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez in Merrily We Roll Along as Frank Jr.

On screen, you can be seen as regular character Elliot Radovic in the ABC crime drama series High Potential (which streams in the UK on Disney+); can you tell us about the show and your character?

High Potential is about a single mom with an IQ of 160, who lands a job helping the L.A. police solve crimes. Elliot is Morgan’s son so has inherited his mom’s intellect. He is a fun-loving, witty kid, who loves his family but struggles to make friends and wants to be accepted by his classmates.

What do you enjoy most about filming for High Potential and what is it like on set of the show?

I love being on set! All of the directors have been fantastic! It’s so great to work with such experienced and talented actors. The cast and crew are all fun, friendly, and supportive.

Was there anything that originally drew you to the role of Elliot and how is it reading the High Potential scripts for the first time?

I love Elliot because he is so smart but doesn’t feel the need to show it off. He’s very humble in that way. I also related to Elliot and his relationship with Ava (Amira J) because I also have older sisters who I adore. The biggest challenge with each new script is learning some of the words and fun facts that Elliot has in his head thanks to his high IQ.

What is Elliot like to play and how is it filming with your on-screen mother Kaitlin Olson (who stars as lead character Morgan Gillory) and with the rest of the cast?

It’s a joy to play Elliot. I love getting to learn all of the things that he knows. Working with Kaitlin is a masterclass in acting. She’s so caring and funny on and off set. The entire cast is simply amazing to work with.

How was it attending the premiere for Series 1 last year and what can viewers expect from the upcoming release of Series 2 in September (without giving spoilers)?

The premiere was so much fun. The entrance was so detailed and immersive that it was like being in a scene from the show. It was my first premiere and I was so happy to be there and have a chance to walk the carpet and talk about High Potential. Season 2 will ramp up the intensity of the cases while sharing more about the family and our characters.

What are some of your stand-out memories from taking on the role of Claude Herdman in the 2024 Christmas film The Best Christmas Pageant Ever?

It was a great experience making such a classic book come to life. But it was really cold filming in Winnipeg in the winter!

Did you have a favourite scene to film, and how did you prepare for the project?

My favourite scene was getting to pretend to curse out my entire classroom.

How was it being part of a Christmas film and seeing the fan response to the screen adaptation of Barbara Robinson’s novel?

The film had such a great message about acceptance and finding the true meaning of Christmas. I hope it will become a Christmas classic.

You played Raymond in the drama thriller film Manodrome (alongside Jesse Eisenberg) and Benji in the romantic comedy-horror film Your Monster; can you tell us about your time filming for both?

Filming Your Monster was lots of fun because I got special effects makeup and got to do my own stunts.

Manodrome was cool shooting my scene in a car in a studio with a video screen that made it look like Jesse Eisenberg was driving me down the road.

What do you remember from being on set of your first feature film – Smile, in which you played Jackson?

I was surprised by how heavy the fake cat was, and it was cool to see Sosie Bacon’s stunt double crash through a coffee table. My dad got to be an extra in my scene so it was fun to share that moment with him.

For your television debut, you had a guest role in Series 2 of Only Murders in the Building as Little Charles-Haden Savage; what was it like working on an episode of the series and playing the younger version of Steve Martin’s character?

Even though I did not get to meet Steve Martin, it was an honour to play him as a kid. I loved filming on the streets of New York City.

Also a voiceover actor, your roles have included Young Billy in Jentry Chau vs. The Underworld, Harry Haphazard in Firebuds, Rocky in the PAW Patrol World video game and Andy in Spidey and His Amazing Friends, what were these projects like to record for?

I enjoy doing voiceover work and bringing animated characters to life. It’s fun to go in the booth and do this work. My dad appreciates not having to do the recording work like he does for most of my VO auditions. It’s great to be able to turn it over to professionals!

Most recently on stage, you played The Little Boy in Ragtime – originally with Signature Theatre, before reprising your role for New York City Center’s production at the end of 2024; how did you find the experience performing in the musical and how was it returning to the show for a second run?

I absolutely love this musical and this role. Both the Signature and NY City Center casts were amazing, and I was so blessed to be able to play The Little Boy twice. I’m so excited to see the Broadway revival coming this fall!

How familiar were you with Merrily We Roll Along before auditioning for the off-Broadway production, and do you remember how you felt finding out you’d booked the role of Frank Jr.?

I was actually not familiar with Merrily We Roll Along. I was originally cast to fill in as Frank Jr. for two weeks when one of the original cast members got sick. I was thrilled to be able to extend my time in New York and be a part of the full run at New York Theatre Workshop.

How was it getting into character as Frank Jr. and performing alongside Daniel Radcliffe, Jonathan Groff and Lindsay Mendez?

What an all-star cast of Tony Award winners! I could not have been more fortunate to be part of the off-Broadway cast alongside these legends.

How different do you find on-screen acting, performing on stage and recording as a voiceover artist, and what do you enjoy about each?

I feel fortunate to have opportunities to do all three. In TV/film I like to look back and see how I’ve evolved and grown as an actor. I started in musical theatre and love to sing. It’s so energising to perform in front of a live audience. The voiceover work I have done is fun to bring an animated character to life and see the technology that’s involved in producing this type of show.

Where does your love of acting come from and how did you get into it?

I always loved singing and musical theatre. My parents found opportunities for me to get started in youth and community theatre. My professional work started after I did a program with Broadway Artists Alliance in the summer of 2020. Because it was still during COVID, I did the program virtually. This provided an opportunity for my now manager and agent to see me and started me down this incredible path.

What are some of your favourite films, TV and theatre shows to watch, and are there any theatre shows you’d like to see that you haven’t done so as yet?

I like horror and thriller type movies. My favourite TV show is Young Sheldon. I have watched all seven seasons multiple times. Last year I saw Suffs on Broadway four times. I love the music, message, and cast! I discovered the show when I had the opportunity to perform with its creator, Shaina Taub, in New York City Center’s Ragtime.

Have you been given any advice over your time as an actor so far that has stuck with you?

It’s important to recognise that just getting the audition opportunity is a chance to learn and improve. It’s hard, but people say, “submit and forget” every audition because you can’t stress about the roles you don’t get. Just celebrate the bookings you do.

How do you like to spend your free time?

I enjoy going to and creating my own escape rooms. I don’t get to see my two older sisters very often because we are all busy and live in different states. So anytime we get to spend together is always the best way to spend free time.

How is it being a guest at premieres and events such as ZOMBIES 4: Dawn of the Vampires and Descendants/ZOMBIES: Worlds Collide Tour?

I’m grateful to ABC and Disney for inviting me to these types of events. Since there are not a lot of other kids on High Potential, it’s fun to meet and hang out with other kids in the business and make new friends.

What are you hoping the rest of the year brings for you and do you have any projects coming up that you can talk about?

I know audiences will enjoy Season 2 of High Potential. I’m excited to see the stories and characters evolve. Tune in on September 16th on ABC and steaming on Hulu.

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