Stars Share Hopes for Steve Howey’s Return (Exclusive)

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