Why Is Steve Howey Departing from High Potential? Here’s What Happened.
Steve Howey‘s character has created a divide among High Potential viewers following his unexpected exit in the season 2 finale.
At 48, Howey was introduced as the new captain of Major Crimes at the onset of season 2. Viewers, alongside the show’s characters, were left questioning whether they could trust Wagner. His character’s journey took a turn in the latter half of the season, only for him to be abruptly shot in the finale that aired on Tuesday, April 7.
Although Wagner’s true fate remains uncertain, Howey has been cast in upcoming seasons of Off Campus and Ransom Canyon, suggesting a potential exit. Deadline has confirmed that the season 2 finale was the last episode featuring Howey as a series regular.
Initially, Howey was not slated to return due to a one-year contract. However, Wagner’s storyline is still evolving, leaving the door open for Howey to appear as a guest star in season 3 to conclude his character’s narrative.
Howey previously shared insights into his character’s arc with Us Weekly in September 2025, stating, “Nick comes in and ruffles some feathers. However, his intentions aren’t malicious; he genuinely wants to help, which begins to unfold in various episodes.”
He went on: “That was my initial concern. Introducing a new character can disrupt the strong dynamic of existing ones. I’m focused on ensuring that doesn’t happen. This arc will develop into something really exciting. We’re still discovering the chemistry between Nick and Morgan, but as Nick earns more trust from the department, I believe it will enhance.”
For Howey, joining one of his favorite shows was an exhilarating opportunity.
“The first season was fantastic. It wasn’t your typical production. I appreciate their style and the insert shots. I have friends who are real-life police officers, and they often joked with me about this role,” he recounted to Us. “I’m taking some creative liberties regarding his character, drawing from the writers’ concepts of his family background in law enforcement and politics. He has a point to prove to both the department and himself, making it an exciting endeavor to see how everything unfolds.”
The future of Wagner’s character will be decided once a new showrunner is appointed. Reports in March indicated that showrunner Todd Harthan departed to concentrate on the forthcoming live-action adaptation of Christopher Paolini’s young adult series, The Inheritance Cycle. This adaptation, titled Eragon, will be co-created with Paolini, with Harthan serving as co-showrunner alongside Todd Helbing.
High Potential has been renewed for a third season, and all episodes are currently available for streaming on Hulu.
