High Potential’s Mustache Mystery Unveiled: Steve Howey’s Captain Nick Wagner Shaves It Off – Behind-the-Scenes Scoop, Character Secrets & Fan Frenzy! ✂️😲

The ABC hit High Potential continues to captivate audiences in its second season, and much of the buzz surrounds Steve Howey’s addition as Captain Nick Wagner. Announced in June 2025, Howey joined as a series regular alongside Kaitlin Olson’s executive producer promotion. Season 2 premiered on September 16, 2025, introducing Wagner as the precinct’s new captain – a “savvy political animal” who oozes charm, wears sharp suits, and dives headfirst into cases, wanted or not.

But one of the strangest talking points? Wagner’s vanishing mustache. Debuting with a thick, polarizing ‘stache that fans dubbed everything from “caterpillar” to “unsettling,” it disappeared just weeks later, sparking “Stachegate” on set. Showrunner Todd Harthan told TVLine the change stemmed from scheduling conflicts: Howey was filming another series (likely Prime Video’s Off Campus, where he plays a bearded character) requiring facial hair. Producers compromised on a mustache to avoid a full beard clashing with the show’s look – “It’s not quite Tom Selleck, but cool,” Harthan quipped. After feedback piled up (more talks about the ‘stache than the finale!), they decided it had to go. Harthan stressed it wasn’t Morgan’s elevator tease (“Trying to get that mustache to make sense?”) that prompted the shave. “I don’t think it had anything to do with what Morgan said… he’s probably had plenty of people comment, and at some point you’re like, ‘All right, enough is enough. This thing’s got to go.’”

In-universe, some fans speculate Morgan’s jabs pushed him over the edge, but the real reason was pure logistics. The brief mustache phase became a meme-worthy footnote in an otherwise intense season.

Wagner’s character runs deeper than facial hair drama. From a generational law enforcement family, he rose fast but chose Major Crimes for personal reasons. Steve Howey revealed in Parade interviews that Nick had “something to prove to Daddy and to himself,” driven to serve and do good – yet with a hidden agenda tied to a past wrong involving someone he cared about deeply. He inserts himself into investigations, clashing with Morgan’s unorthodox style while intriguing her intellect. Co-stars tease tension: Judy Reyes (Selena Soto) says Morgan and Nick “are going to clash,” but he builds a “powerful working relationship” with Karadec (Daniel Sunjata).

Fans remain divided – some see romance potential, others suspect betrayal. Wagner’s interest in Morgan’s ex-husband Roman’s disappearance (a 15-year mystery central to the show) raises red flags. Reddit theories link him or his family legacy to Roman’s fate, possibly covering corruption. Showrunner Harthan hinted post-midseason (October 2025) that Wagner’s influential family may appear after the January 2026 return, exploring reactions when challenged.

Howey, known for comedy in Reba and Shameless, brings magnetic depth to the enigmatic captain. His charm hides layers – ally or threat? As the season builds toward revelations about Roman and Wagner’s motives, one thing’s clear: this disruptor keeps everyone guessing.