What ‘High Potential’s Midseason Move Could Mean for Wagner’s Fate
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What To Know
- High Potential stars Javicia Leslie and Deniz Akdeniz discuss their hopes for Steve Howey’s return as Captain Wagner.
- Could the midseason move for the latest episodes indicate how his fate will unfold?
High Potential‘s third season may not arrive until 2027, but could the later arrival bode well for Captain Wagner’s (Steve Howey) potential return?
As viewers will recall, the end of Season 2 saw the LAPD’s new captain in jeopardy after being stabbed in a dark park late at night, leaving Morgan (Kaitlin Olson) to find him bloodied and gasping for breath. While fans will have to wait until Season 3 to learn his fate, could the midseason premiere move indicate that Wagner is more likely to make it out of the stabbing alive?
With more time for the newest showrunners to work on the story, and with extra time allotted for scheduling performers, perhaps the path to Wagner’s comeback is more likely than not. At least, Howey’s costars would love for that to be the case when we caught up with Javicia Leslie and Deniz Akdeniz, who play Daphne and Oz in the show, at Disney’s 2026 upfront presentation.

Disney
“Love Steve Howey, I want more Steve Howey,” Akdeniz said, before jokingly adding, “but depending on how the new angle of where that captain position goes… I’m still vying. If that means he has to leave and Oz gets to become captain, I’m there for it.”
Despite the unlikelihood of Oz becoming captain, Leslie chimed in, adding, “I think that we both feel this way… I’m gonna be heartbroken [if Wagner doesn’t come back]. Steve really became a part of our family, and he’s so genuine and just who he is, and it has been such a pleasure working with him, and I actually am low-key shipping Morgan and Wagner.”
Whether or not you ship Wagner and Morgan, Leslie and Akdeniz’s stance is definitely in favor of Howey’s return as Wagner. Whether he’ll live or die will be determined when Season 3 eventually returns, but let us know if you’d like to see the character back or if you think that stabbing was the end of the line for the captain in the comments section below.
High Potential, Season 3 Premiere, 2027, ABC
Conversation23 Comments
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N
I would love it as well. I think Howey is awesome as Wagner...bring him back!
14
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C
Love Steve ❤️ and yes I do ship wagner and Morgan . I’m not seeing anything with caradeck besides friendship.. I see heat with Morgan and Wagner 😉
9
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D
Personally...I don't care for Wagner....he's blah!
7
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H
I wasn’t too fond of Captain Wagner to be honest, but that was at the first and I believe it was meant to be that way and was the result of good writing and good acting combined. So now absolutely long live Captain Wagner and Steve Howey and the possibility of a love spark in the precinct between Morgan and the Captain…High Potential is definitely living up to its name. Best new show to come along in sometime. Being hot has always comes easy for Kaitlin Olsen, just watch It’s Always Sunny, but she really gets to prove she also a great actor in HP!
6
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T
Well theres goes that show. If they put it off till 2027 we will loose ratings and it will go bye bye like everything else does that's good
6
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G
I don't see any chemistry between Morgan and Wagner, however Karadac and Morgan is real. He called out her name when he was waking up.
4
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M
I would love to have Steve Howie return as a regular. He really fits as a member of the team. He adds a new dimension to the cast. Whether his character has a romantic relationship with Morgan is not necessary for the storyline. They do have an electric screen presence.
4
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D
I love this show and will wait patiently. I was hoping to have more shows this year though. If it drags on too long, it may do damage and the stars that we love might lose interest in working on the show
I’m not a big fan of the boys because it’s really gross but my son likes to watch it so we’ve been waiting a long time and that is not supposed to return till 2027 and it hasn’t been ongoing for quite some time now. I do hate that most of them are once a year.
I don’t watch that many shows but another one I love is next level chef and I have to wait a whole year each time. So many of the shows that I did watch early on I haven’t started up again and it’s definitely too long.
4
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G
I hope he comes back.
3
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S
I hope he comes back.
3
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C
Absolutely think Steve Howey should remain on the show as Wagner! He's one of my favorite actors, clear back to his Reba days. Plus, Morgan and him possibly becoming more involved is a great idea. Their chemistry is 🔥🔥🔥.
2
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C
I think he should come back. Now Morgan could potentially have three men as a potential love interest.
2
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Y
Get rid of that new captain. His character is creepy.
1
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K
I would like to see him come back, even if he moves on to something else later on.
1
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T
Definitely bring him back! He and Morgan will make a great couple . For once don’t have the partners be a couple. So many shows have done that story line .
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B
I absolutely love this show but don’t like you keeping it off so long or you bringing Wagner back. He has no chemistry whatsoever with Morgan. Now Karadac that’s whole other story. They have chemistry exploding everywhere!! Don’t understand why you people can’t see that?? Blind people can see it. Howey had nothing going for him in this field. Send him back to Reba. Not this show. Don’t keep us waiting until next year for this amazing season!! We did just fine without Wagner!!
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B
Please keep Steve Howey in the show, as Capt. Wagner, because his chemistry with Morgan is off the charts! His killer smile and physique are magnetic and he is a real asset to the show. Never could see Morgan and Karadec together except as a working pair - just too bland otherwise.
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B
Yes Would love to have Steve back! Great potential storyline with Morgan!
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B
High potential she come back in November 2026 because ABC air more show to make better I love this show
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K
I love the show! Hate how short the programs run! Just gets going and it's done!
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H
Please Bring Howey Back!!!!!!!
We Love All the characters.
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D
Late starts short seasons...HOW NETWORKS are KILLING PROGRAMS..When some shows have a 9month wait return time PEOPLE Loose interest .Shows used to run up to 30 episodes per season now your lucky if they hit 20 with a lot ending at 10 suggestion space seasons closer together
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D
Most seasons are 10-13 shows a season.
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