Things are going to be a little different when the ABC series returns for season 3.
Key Points
- The High Potential season 2 finale aired on April 7 on ABC.
- Fans were shocked to learn that Steve Howey had exited the show as Captain Nick Wagner after season 2.
- The actor teased the true reason behind his TV exit.
High Potential has officially wrapped airing season 2—and wow, was there quite a cliffhanger!
The final episode of the installment aired on April 7, and fans were highly invested in what appeared to be a love connection between Morgan Gillory (Kaitlin Olson) and LAPD captain Nick Wagner (Steve Howey). While the show has continuously teased the two’s romantic tension alongside Morgan’s working dynamic with detective Adam Karadec (Daniel Sunjata), the season 2 finale saw Morgan and Nick finally take the next step in their relationship with a heart-pumping kiss.
Unfortunately, that wasn’t the only heart-stopping moment that occurred between them. In the final minutes of the episode, viewers were shocked to find Nick bleeding out after being stabbed by a mysterious assassin. And if that’s not enough, news broke on April 7 that Steve will exit High Potential as a series regular, with only the potential of him popping back up in the future.
With all of this in mind, fans are so curious why is Steve Howey leaving High Potential? Turns out, there’s actually a good reason behind his exit.
When the news broke of Steve leaving High Potential season 2 back in June 2025, Deadline had noted that it came as part of a one-year deal he made with the show. Meaning: It was always planned out that Nick Wagner would only be a major character on for just one season.
Here’s the caveat, though. Despite Steve’s exit from High Potential in a more regular appearance, the outlet also noted that there’s always a chance for him to pop up in season 3, depending on how the show gets written.
While we don’t know what Nick’s—or Steve’s, for that matter—future will be like on High Potential, Steve did give a hint about his exit earlier than expected. As he shared on Instagram on February 27, he was grateful for the time he spent on the hit series.
“Wrapped Season 2 High Potential,” he wrote at the time. “Too many people to thank, but nothing but love for them all!”
And unsurprisingly, shortly after fans learned of Steve’s fate, they begged him to return for season 3.
“YOU BETTER BE COMING BACK FOR SEASON 3 OR ILL RIOT 😭,” one person cried in the comments. “Why does this look like you’re leaving? I hope not. Getting to love Wagner,” another wrote. “Please don’t leave us Captain Wagner 😢,” a different follower lamented.
Now, we still have a lot of time before High Potential season 3 premieres on ABC. But for now, we can only hope we’ll get to see Steve back on our TVs soon!