Which ‘High Potential’ Stars Are — And Aren’t — Returning for Season 3 After Cast Exit?
The ABC procedural will add a new showrunner after Todd Harthan’s exit, and Steve Howey will not return as a series regular.
- Series regular Steve Howey will not return to ABC's High Potential after the Season 2 finale on Tuesday, April 7, 2026, ending his role as Captain Nick Wagner.
- Howey joined the series in Season 2 on a one-year deal, which made his departure expected; Wagner's character was shot during the finale, leaving his fate uncertain.
- Fans expressed disappointment on social media, with one user writing, "He's such a beautiful character & you did amazing playing him." Another viewer questioned the narrative logic of killing off such a complex character.
- While Howey will not return as a series regular, producers suggest he could appear as a guest star in Season 3 to wrap up Wagner's arc. Showrunner Todd Harthan also recently exited the show.
- ABC has renewed High Potential for a third season, with all episodes currently streaming on Hulu. The production progresses despite recent cast and creative leadership changes.
11 Articles
11 Articles
Why Is Steve Howey Leaving ‘High Potential’ After Season 2? Surprise Departure Explained
Steve Howey‘s character has left High Potential viewers divided before his surprise departure in the season 2 finale. Howey, 48, was introduced at the start of season 2 as the new captain of Major Crimes. As the characters on the show figured out if they could trust Wagner, so did the audience. His arc turned around in the second half of the season but he was then abruptly shot in the finale, which aired on Tuesday, April 7. While Wagner’s exact…
'High Potential' Series Regular Leaving
High Potential‘s Season 2 finale cliffhanger may mean the end for one series regular character. Spoiler Alert: Details of the High Potential Season 2 finale are included below. After Morgan (Kaitlin Olson) discovered a gravely injured Captain Nick Wagner (Steve Howey) at the end of the Season 2 finale of the ABC hit crime procedural, […]
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