Steve Howey suits up to play the new police captain on ABC's 'High Potential'

LOS ANGELES -- Steve Howey got into acting in the late 1990s.

After a handful of roles, he landed the sitcom, "Reba." Then he struck TV gold again, starring on the long-running series, "Shameless."

Now, he's taken on a new role on the hit show, "High Potential," playing Nick Wagner, the unexpected new police captain. For Howey, it's a great new challenge.

"In real life, I don't wear a suit that often, but in this I do, and it's nice," he said.

His character comes from a powerful family, and Howey notes that may be how his character got the job.

"There's probably some nepotism involved, maybe a lot of it," Howey said with a smile.

He's hopeful that "Nick Wagner can redeem himself."

"I think that will happen later on," he said.

He said he wanted this role for three reasons: He loves the show. He thinks highly of the cast. And then there's this: "To play a captain of the LAPD? I mean, are you kidding? What a great opportunity, right? Yeah, I was, like, 'Captain? Do I get a badge? They give me a badge?'" he laughed.

In real life, the role Howey cherishes the most is being a dad.

"I have three kids, and they remind me every day how much I love to be alive, and they are the reason why I do what I do. And so any struggles that come now with them, they're easy because it's all for them. I've never loved anything more in life," he said.

"High Potential" airs Tuesday nights on ABC.