Peter Krause, whose performances in “Parenthood” and “Six Feet Under” cemented his reputation as one of television’s most reliable leading men, has signed on to NBC’s drama pilot “Protection.” The casting reunites the actor with the network that aired his family drama for six seasons and immediately raises the project’s profile.
Peter Krause’s Triumphant Return to NBC
Krause’s last NBC series, “Parenthood,” ran from 2010 to 2015 and earned him a Television Critics Association nomination for Individual Achievement in Drama. As Adam Braverman, he balanced comic timing with raw vulnerability, turning a middle-class father into one of the decade’s most fully realized characters. In “Protection,” he will play Mike Thornhill, a veteran federal protection officer whose personal and professional loyalties collide when he is assigned to guard a polarizing public figure. Early scripts position Thornhill as a divorced father of two teenagers, a setup that should give Krause room to explore the same emotional terrain that made Adam Braverman memorable.
The Creative Team Behind “Protection”
Josh Safran created the pilot and will serve as show-runner. Safran’s previous credits include “Quantico” and “Smash,” series known for brisk pacing and layered character work. Executive producers Jenna Bush Hager and Ben Spector bring nonfiction storytelling credentials: Hager’s “Today with Hoda & Jenna” segments routinely draw more than two million daily viewers, while Spector’s work on “The Bold Type” helped that dramedy earn a GLAAD Media Award nomination. Universal Television, the studio behind “The Bear” and “Only Murders in the Building,” is financing the hour.
What’s Next for “Protection”?
NBC has ordered the pilot straight to series consideration, skipping the traditional filming stage. If executives like the finished product, “Protection” could land on the 2025–26 schedule. The network has already slotted a writers’ room to begin breaking a potential ten-episode first season, a sign of confidence rare for a project that has not yet shot a single scene. Casting directors are now searching for actors to play Thornhill’s ex-wife, his teenage daughter and the high-profile client whose safety rests in his hands.
A New Chapter in Peter Krause’s Career
Krause spent the past three years away from scripted television, guest-starring on “The Catch” and directing an episode of “Station 19.” In interviews he has said he waited for a role that felt “urgent and morally messy.” Thornhill appears to fit that brief: the character must decide whether to follow protocol or protect a source who once saved his life. The part could return Krause to Emmy consideration; he has been nominated three times, most recently in 2015 for “Parenthood.”
At 58, Krause remains selective, averaging one series per decade. His filmography shows a pattern: he gravitates toward ensemble dramas that examine duty—whether to family, as in “Parenthood,” or to society, as in “Six Feet Under.” “Protection” continues that through-line, placing Thornhill at the intersection of personal obligation and public service.
The Themes and Tone of “Protection”
Safran has described the show as “a character thriller about the price of keeping people safe.” Expect serialized storytelling that peels back layers of Thornhill’s past while delivering weekly stakes: armored convoys, safe-house breaches and courtroom showdowns. The writers’ room includes veterans of “The Americans” and “Homeland,” suggesting a grounded approach rather than procedural formula.
The Production Team’s Vision for “Protection”
| Production Team Member | Role |
|---|---|
| Josh Safran | Creator and Executive Producer |
| Jenna Bush Hager | Executive Producer |
| Ben Spector | Executive Producer |
Safran’s pilot script landed on the 2023 Black List, an annual survey of Hollywood’s most-liked unproduced screenplays. Industry readers praised its “tight moral engine” and “relentless momentum.” Universal Television bought the property within 24 hours, triggering a competitive bidding war among streaming services and broadcast networks. NBC won by promising an on-air commitment and a marketing budget normally reserved for established franchises.
Production begins in Vancouver this August, taking advantage of British Columbia tax credits and sound stages that recently housed “The Night Agent.” Directors attached so far include Charlotte Brandström (“The Witcher”) and Ramsey Nickell (“Reacher”), a sign that NBC wants cinematic scope on a broadcast schedule. If “Protection” secures a series order, expect a launch tied to either the Winter Olympics or the next NFL playoffs—NBC’s two biggest promotional platforms.
Krause’s involvement guarantees instant credibility, but the show’s long-term success will hinge on whether Safran can sustain tension beyond the pilot. History favors him: every broadcast series he has created has lasted at least two seasons. With Krause leading the call sheet and Universal’s muscle behind the marketing, “Protection” has the raw material to become NBC’s next signature drama.