AceShowbiz - Steve Howey is departing from the popular ABC series High Potential, leaving fans wondering if his character, Captain Wagner, died following a shocking Season 2 finale.

In the finale of Season 2, Captain Wagner, portrayed by Howey, was critically wounded after being shot and left bleeding while first responders rushed to his aid. The episode ended on a cliffhanger, leaving his survival uncertain. Shortly after, news emerged that Howey, 48, would be exiting the show as a series regular.

Reports indicate that Howey signed a one-year contract and was not expected to return as a regular cast member for Season 3. Deadline later confirmed that the Season 2 finale was Howey’s final episode in a regular capacity. However, there remains a possibility that he could return in a guest role early in the upcoming season to provide closure to his character’s storyline.

High Potential is set to return for a third season, but not all main cast members are confirmed to come back following unexpected departures like Howey’s. The show, which premiered in September 2024, centers on Morgan, played by Kaitlin Olson, a talented intellectual who collaborates with the LAPD to solve complex murder cases. Morgan partners with a key detective named Karadec as part of the crime-solving team.

Before his departure, Howey spoke with Us Weekly in September 2025 about his character’s impact on the series. He described Wagner as a disruptive yet well-meaning figure, saying, “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.”

Howey expressed concern about integrating a new character into an established dynamic, adding, “That was my fear and my concern. When you have such a lightning in the bottle strong dynamic of these characters, throwing in another character can potentially throw that off. I'm still working on not doing that.” He remained optimistic about the evolving chemistry between his character and Morgan, noting that as Wagner gains trust within the department, their relationship would improve.

Joining High Potential was a thrilling opportunity for Howey, who considered it one of his favorite shows to work on. He shared insights on the character’s background, which includes a family history in law enforcement and politics, giving Wagner a complex motivation and a personal stake in proving himself to the department and to himself.

Decisions regarding Wagner’s future on the series remain pending, as the show searches for a new showrunner. In March, it was announced that Todd Harthan, the original showrunner, left High Potential to focus on the live-action adaptation of Christopher Paolini’s young adult book series The Inheritance Cycle. The new adaptation, titled Eragon, will be co-created by Paolini and Harthan, who will serve as co-showrunner alongside Todd Helbing.

Meanwhile, all episodes of High Potential are currently available for streaming on Hulu, and anticipation builds for the upcoming third season. Fans continue to speculate about the fate of Captain Wagner and whether Howey might return to provide answers.

Howey reflected on the unique style of High Potential, praising its innovative approach. He mentioned that friends who are real-life law enforcement officers teased him about his portrayal, yet he appreciated the creative freedom the writers gave him to shape Wagner’s personality and backstory.

As High Potential moves forward, the show’s future will be shaped by new leadership behind the scenes and evolving storylines. While Howey’s departure marks the end of an era for Captain Wagner, the possibility remains that his character’s narrative will be revisited, at least briefly, in Season 3 to provide resolution.

For now, fans can revisit past episodes on Hulu and stay tuned for official announcements regarding cast updates and plot developments as High Potential prepares for its next chapter.