Is Steve Howey Leaving 'High Potential'?

Season 2 ended on a major cliffhanger that left the fate of Howey's Captain Wagner in the balance.

Apr. 8, 2026 at 8:06pm

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An abstract close-up photograph of a shattered glass surface reflecting a faint red light, conveying a sense of dramatic tension and uncertainty.The dramatic cliffhanger ending of High Potential's season finale has left fans wondering about the fate of a key character.Los Angeles Today

High Potential could be losing a major character after Season 2. The Season 2 finale saw Captain Nick Wagner (Steve Howey) meet privately with an FBI informant, where he was stabbed multiple times. This has left many fans wondering if Howey is exiting the show.

Why it matters

Captain Wagner has been a key character on High Potential, portrayed as both the show's protagonist's foil and a potential love interest. His fate being left uncertain at the end of Season 2 sets up major changes for the show going into Season 3.

The details

In the Season 2 finale, Captain Wagner purposely gave Morgan Guillory (Kaitlin Olson) the wrong time for the meeting with the FBI informant in order to protect her. However, when Morgan arrived, she found Wagner bleeding out from multiple stab wounds. Olson has teased that the cliffhanger leaves many possibilities for where the show can go in Season 3, including whether or not Wagner survives.

  • The Season 2 finale of High Potential aired this week.

The players

Steve Howey

An actor who joined the cast of High Potential as a series regular at the start of Season 2, playing the role of Captain Nick Wagner.

Kaitlin Olson

The lead actress on High Potential, playing the role of LAPD consultant Morgan Guillory.

Captain Nick Wagner

A character on High Potential, portrayed by Steve Howey, who was transferred to the precinct at the start of Season 2 and had a complex relationship with Olson's character.

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What they’re saying

“So many cliffhangers, I know. There are so many places that we can go with this next season. It's very exciting and it definitely starts with, does Wagner make it or not?”

— Kaitlin Olson, Actress

What’s next

Sources say there is a chance Howey could return at the beginning of Season 3 to wrap up his character's storyline.

The takeaway

The uncertain fate of Captain Wagner at the end of High Potential's second season sets up major changes and narrative possibilities for the show going into its third season, including the potential departure of a key cast member.