Peter Krause returns to television as Secret Service veteran Mike Hollingsworth in NBC’s new drama series “Line of Fire,” which premiered on Monday at 10 p.m. ET/PT. The show, produced by Jenna Bush Hager, the daughter of former President George W. Bush, delves into the lives of a Washington, D.C. family deeply embedded in federal law enforcement, spanning the Secret Service, FBI, U.S. Marshals, and the Department of Justice.
Krause, 61, leads the cast as the head of the Hollingsworth family, whose members work in various branches of federal agencies. The series explores their interwoven professional and personal dynamics, with one particular storyline involving a potential romantic relationship between Mike Hollingsworth’s son, Micah (played by Tommy O’Brien), and the fictional president’s daughter, a plot element that sparked notable attention. Krause clarified that while the show includes this affair, it does not mirror Bush Hager’s real-life experiences, ensuring that the fictional narrative does not reflect the producer’s personal history.
The series is the brainchild of Joshua Safran, known for his work on “Gossip Girl.” Safran pitched the concept to Bush Hager through her sister Barbara Pierce Bush, who studied with him at New York University. Although the show touches on the world of politics and presidential security, Safran emphasized that “Line of Fire” is a fictional drama rather than a political commentary, blending thriller elements and family tension.
To bolster authenticity, Bush Hager connected the production team with Steve Hughes, a 25-year Secret Service veteran familiar with the presidential details of both George W. Bush and Bill Clinton. Hughes advised on details ranging from protocols for boarding and exiting presidential vehicles to the accurate recreation of Secret Service workplaces, including a set modeled after the Eisenhower Executive Office Building. Krause noted that while the show is dramatized for television, the level of detail contributed to its realism.
The family at the center of “Line of Fire” includes Mike Hollingsworth Jr., along with his siblings Clare (Kat Cunning), an FBI agent, and Russ (Taylor Bloom), a new Justice Department employee. Their parents, Mike Hollingsworth Sr. and Jane (Hope Davis), a U.S. Marshal, are long separated, adding to the domestic complexity underpinning the federal law enforcement backdrop.
Krause, who previously portrayed fire captain Bobby Nash on “9-1-1” until the character’s death in April 2025, described “Line of Fire” as a departure from his earlier roles, blending suspense and comedy within an intricate family drama. He highlighted the show’s ability to offer viewers respite from the current political climate, providing “a different version” of Washington life that focuses on personal and professional conflicts rather than partisan battles.