Captain Nick Wagner's 'High Potential' fate revealed

Steve Howey’s character Captain Nick Wagner will not return as a series regular for Season 3 of ABC’s “High Potential” after being gravely injured in the Season 2 finale, and the show has confirmed his departure despite the series’ renewal.

Spoiler alert! The following contains details from the Season 2 finale of ABC's "High Potential."

"High Potential" will say goodbye to a series regular after a major cliffhanger.

Captain Nick Wagner, who was gravely injured by the end of the Season 2 finale on Tuesday, April 7, will not be returning for Season 3, USA TODAY can confirm. While Captain Nick's fate has not been confirmed, Steve Howey will not return as a series regular.

Deadline was first to report the news. The outlet previously reported that Todd Harthan, an executive producer for "High Potential," is not returning, leaving how Captain Nick Wagner's character arc is wrapped to be determined.

Howey, known for roles in "Shameless" and "Reba," first joined the ABC series as the politically astute new precinct captain and a love interest of Morgan, a few episodes into Season 2.

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USA TODAY has reached out to ABC and Howey's rep for comment.

"High Potential," which returned after a midseason hiatus in January, has become a runaway hit for ABC, starring Kaitlin Olson as quirky single mom Morgan, who has such a knack for solving mysteries that she is hired as a police consultant. The police procedural was renewed for a third season in March.

Does Wagner die in 'High Potential'? Fans have mixed reactions to cliffhanger fate

"High Potential" viewers seemed at odds over Captain Nick Wagner, a derisive character due to his by-the-book attitude and disruption to Morgan's irreverent approach. But after the season finale, many fans came to the character's defense.

"Whatever happens Steve Howey please know that a lot of #highpotential fans love Nick Wagner & don't want him to leave & will be really sad if he's gone," wrote one user. "he's such a beautiful character & you did amazing playing him."

"I need Steve Howey to know that a lot of #highpotential fans love Nick Wagner & are rooting for him." another wrote. "it just makes me so sad how ridiculously hated his character is for no reason other than just existing, Nick is such a beautiful character & the best thing to happen to the show."

"You can't just introduce the most interesting & complex character on the show only to cut his screentime & then kill him off," another person wrote. "logically & story wise that makes no sense. Nick Wagner hasn't even completed his character arc there's still more about him to explore."