The ABC crime comedy drama High Potential ended its second season on April 7, 2026, with a major twist that left fans with questions about the future of a main character. The season finale showed Captain Nick Wagner, played by Steve Howey, getting seriously injured after being shot. Now, new information confirms that Howey will not return as a full-time cast member for the third season.
The show, which stars Kaitlin Olson as Morgan Gillory, a cleaning woman with a high IQ who helps the Los Angeles Police Department solve murders, has become a big hit for ABC. The second season grew its audience with nearly 13 million viewers for some episodes. But the news about Howey leaving has become the main topic of discussion among people who watch the show.
Steve Howey’s Exit Confirmed After One-Year Deal Ends
Steve Howey joined High Potential at the start of season two as Captain Nick Wagner, the new boss of the Major Crimes unit. According to reports, Howey signed a one-year contract to be a series regular. The season two finale was his last episode as a main cast member.
Howey is known for his roles on Shameless and Reba. His schedule is very full with other acting work. He has a major recurring role on the Prime Video series Off Campus, which has already been renewed for a second season. He will also appear in season two of Ransom Canyon on Netflix and season five of The Lincoln Lawyer.
“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.” – Steve Howey speaking to Us Weekly in September 2025
The actor shared his excitement about joining the show when he first got the role. He said the first season was amazing and that the show is not like other crime procedurals. He also talked about talking to his real-life police officer friends to understand his character better.
How the Season 2 Finale Left Nick Wagner’s Fate Unclear
The season two finale put Captain Nick Wagner in serious danger. The episode showed the character getting shot during a meeting with an FBI source. Morgan arrived at the scene and found Wagner bleeding on the ground. The show did not confirm whether Wagner survives the shooting.
This cliffhanger ending is similar to what the show did at the end of season one. For the second year in a row, High Potential ended with a main character’s life hanging in the balance.
The finale also gave viewers more of Wagner’s backstory. In the episode before the finale, Wagner shared emotional details about his past. He also shared a kiss with Morgan, which was the first and only romantic moment between the two characters.
The character of Wagner had a difficult start on the show. When he first appeared, he had a mustache that got a strong negative reaction from viewers. The producers decided to shave it off after a few episodes. Howey explained that the mustache was required because he was filming another show at the same time where his character needed to have a full beard.
Chance for Steve Howey to Return as Guest Star in Season 3
Even though Steve Howey is leaving as a regular cast member, there is still a chance he could appear on the show again. Sources say Howey could come back as a guest star at the beginning of season three to finish his character’s story. The final decision will be made by the new showrunner and the writing team.
Todd Harthan, who ran the show for the first two seasons, left after season two ended. He is working on a live-action adaptation of the book series The Inheritance Cycle called Eragon. ABC is currently searching for a new showrunner to take over for season three.
The show received a season three renewal from ABC in March 2026. This means fans will get more episodes, even though some cast members are leaving.
Other Cast Changes in High Potential Season 2 Finale
Steve Howey is not the only actor who finished his time on the show. Susan Kelechi Watson, who played Lucia, Karadec’s ex-fiancée, also left after the season two finale. Watson is best known for her role as Beth Pearson on This Is Us. She joined High Potential earlier in season two.
Lucia became an important part of the finale’s murder case. She was suspected of being involved in a crime, and a heartbroken Karadec had to handle her arrest himself.
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Fan Reactions to the Casting News and Finale
Viewers of High Potential have shared mixed feelings about the season two finale and the news of Steve Howey leaving. Some fans were unhappy with how the show used his character throughout the season. Wagner only appeared occasionally and was missing from several episodes. Many viewers thought he might be a villain or someone not to be trusted.
One fan on Reddit wrote about their frustration with the show’s schedule, saying, “Why is the finale SO early in the spring? Shouldn’t it be in May? I hate that we’ll have to wait for October for more episodes!” The second season ended earlier than other ABC shows like Grey’s Anatomy and 9-1-1, which usually finish in May.
Another viewer expressed confusion about the timing of episodes, noting that the show aired a Mother’s Day themed episode in March, about six weeks before the actual holiday.
Where to Watch High Potential Season 2
All episodes of High Potential season two are available for streaming on Hulu in the United States. The show aired on ABC on Tuesday nights at 9 p.m. Eastern Time. For viewers in other countries, streaming availability varies. In Canada, the show is available on CTV and streaming on Crave. UK viewers can watch on Disney+. Australian audiences can find the show on Disney+ as well. Indian viewers can stream High Potential on Disney+ Hotstar.
The first season is also available on the same platforms for those who want to catch up before season three arrives. ABC has not yet announced a release date for High Potential season three.
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