Changes Coming to the ‘High Potential’ Series: What the Season 2 Finale Means for Season 3 Guest Stars
SPOILER ALERT: The following article contains details about the Season 2 finale of ABC’s High Potential.
EXCLUSIVE: For the second consecutive year, ABC’s popular crime procedural High Potential concluded its season finale with a dramatic cliffhanger. This season, the plot thickened as main character Morgan, portrayed by Kaitlin Olson, discovered Captain Nick Wagner, played by Steve Howey, in a critical condition after suffering serious injuries.
As of now, Wagner’s fate and Howey’s future with the show remain uncertain. Sources indicate that Howey may appear as a guest star at the beginning of next season, potentially closing out his character’s storyline.
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Wagner has sparked mixed reactions among viewers, particularly following his introduction featuring a controversial mustache. The character’s appearance received such backlash that producers opted to remove it just a few episodes later. This change was prompted by another project Howey was involved in, which required him to have facial hair.
Steve Howey on ‘High Potential’
Throughout much of the season, Howey’s character was minimally featured and often seemed ambiguous, hinting at a potential villainous role while initially positioning himself as a love interest for Morgan. However, in the latter episodes, Wagner’s character developed significantly, culminating in a poignant moment in the penultimate episode where he shared a kiss with Morgan.
In the Season 2 finale, the tension escalated as Morgan and suspicious colleague Soto, played by Judy Reyes, confronted Wagner about his connections to a corrupt politician father. In a move that showcased his loyalty to Morgan, Wagner misled her about the timing of a meeting with an FBI informant regarding Morgan’s missing ex, a connection due to his father. This delay became pivotal as Wagner was subsequently shot during the encounter, and Morgan found him in a dire state.
(L-R): Kaitlin Olson, Steve Howey in ‘High Potential’
Meanwhile, Howey is maintaining an active schedule. Known for roles in Shameless and Reba, he has a recurring part in the highly anticipated Prime Video series Off Campus, based on Elle Kennedy’s best-selling book series, which has already been renewed for a second season. Additionally, Howey will return for the second season of Netflix’s Ransom Canyon and in Season 5 of The Lincoln Lawyer.
(L-R): Susan Kelechi Watson, Daniel Sunjata in ‘High Potential’
The season finale of High Potential also concluded the storyline for another major cast addition, Lucia, played by Susan Kelechi Watson, who was introduced to create tension between Morgan and Karadec, portrayed by Daniel Sunjata. Like Howey, Watson’s character saw limited screen time during the season, primarily appearing in brief moments with Sunjata. However, in the finale, Lucia assumed a significant role as she became embroiled in a pivotal murder case, with a distraught Karadec personally overseeing her arrest.
