AceShowbiz - Steve Howey left fans of High Potential divided after his unexpected exit in the season 2 finale, which aired on Tuesday, April 7. The actor, who joined the series at the start of season 2, played Wagner, the new captain of Major Crimes.

Throughout the season, viewers and characters alike grappled with whether Wagner could be trusted. Initially introduced as a character who stirred the dynamics within the department, his storyline took a significant turn in the latter half of the season. Despite a shift in how Wagner was perceived, the finale ended with him being abruptly shot, leaving his fate uncertain.

Although Wagner’s ultimate outcome remained unclear at the episode’s close, it is confirmed that the season 2 finale was Howey’s last appearance as a series regular. Deadline reported that Steve Howey will not continue as a main cast member moving forward. This aligns with his existing one-year contract, which did not include a guaranteed return for subsequent seasons.

However, there remains a possibility that Howey could reprise his role in a guest capacity early in season 3 to conclude Wagner’s storyline. The production team has not ruled out this option, leaving open the door for a brief return to wrap up loose ends.

In addition to his role on High Potential, Howey has secured parts in the upcoming series Off Campus and Ransom Canyon, signaling a shift in his acting commitments. These new projects further suggest his departure from the show is intentional and planned rather than abrupt or unexpected.

Speaking to Us Weekly in September 2025, Howey shared insights into his character’s development. He explained that Wagner’s entrance was designed to challenge the existing team dynamics but emphasized that Wagner’s intentions were ultimately to help. Howey said, "Nick comes in and does ruffle some feathers. But his motives and his intentions are not to do that. He wants to help and we start seeing that in different episodes."

He acknowledged the risk of disrupting the established chemistry of the show's characters, stating, "When you have such a lightning in the bottle strong dynamic of these characters, throwing in another character can potentially throw that off." Nevertheless, Howey expressed optimism about the evolving relationship between Wagner and Morgan, hinting at a positive trajectory as trust builds within the department.

Steve Howey also revealed his enthusiasm for joining the cast of a show he admired, describing the experience as "fun" and rewarding to explore his character’s background and motivations. Wagner’s complex family ties to law enforcement and politics provided rich material for Howey to delve into the role.

The future direction of Wagner’s character and High Potential itself remains in flux following the departure of showrunner Todd Harthan in March. Harthan left to focus on a live-action adaptation of Christopher Paolini’s young adult book series The Inheritance Cycle, titled Eragon. This change in leadership means decisions about story arcs, including Wagner’s, will be made once a new showrunner is appointed.

Despite the shake-ups, High Potential has been renewed for a third season, with all episodes available for streaming on Hulu. Fans can expect the show to continue exploring the intense world of law enforcement and crime, even as familiar faces like Howey’s Wagner exit the scene.

Wagner’s departure fits into a broader trend of surprising television exits seen in 2026. Shows like Grey’s Anatomy and Virgin River have also experienced sudden cast changes, leaving fans to adjust to the evolving storylines and character lineups. These unexpected departures often reflect behind-the-scenes shifts or new creative directions for long-running series.

As the narrative of High Potential moves forward without Wagner as a regular character, viewers will watch closely to see how the series adapts and introduces new elements to maintain its gripping storytelling. For now, the mystery surrounding Wagner’s fate continues to generate discussion and anticipation among the show’s audience.