Peter Krause Returns to Network TV in NBC's 'Line of Fire'—Here's What to Expect

Peter Krause, best known for his Emmy-nominated roles in Six Feet Under and Parenthood, is making a notable return to network television with NBC's Line of Fire. The new drama pairs him with Hope Davis and positions itself squarely in the tradition of the American primetime procedural—while folding in enough serialized drama to keep audiences coming back week after week.

What 'Line of Fire' Is About

Line of Fire follows a high-stakes investigative unit navigating crimes that intersect with personal and institutional power. Rather than a pure case-of-the-week format, the show layers an ongoing character drama underneath each episode's central conflict—something critics have described as what happens when you cross a procedural with a soap opera.

• Peter Krause plays a seasoned, morally complex figure at the center of the unit.
• Hope Davis co-stars, bringing her signature understated intensity to a role that serves as a compelling counterweight to Krause's character.
• The tone balances procedural momentum—satisfying, self-contained plots—with longer emotional arcs that reward loyal viewers.

What Critics Are Saying

Variety called Line of Fire "promising and engaging," noting that it succeeds where many network dramas stumble by giving its leads room to breathe. The review highlights the chemistry between Krause and Davis as a key driver, suggesting the show's interpersonal dynamics are as compelling as its crime plots.

Both stars have spoken in interviews about the deliberate creative decision to blend genres—acknowledging that modern audiences expect procedurals to carry emotional weight, not just plot mechanics. The result, they suggest, is a show built for both casual viewers who tune in for a single episode and dedicated fans who track the larger story.

Why Krause's Casting Matters

Krause has spent much of the past decade in prestige cable and streaming projects, making his return to NBC a genuine event for fans of character-driven network drama. His track record—Six Feet Under, Dirty Sexy Money, Parenthood—signals a comfort with material that asks audiences to sit with complicated, flawed protagonists.

For NBC, landing Krause is a statement of intent. Broadcast networks have faced growing pressure to compete with streaming on quality, and attaching recognizable dramatic talent to new procedurals is one of the clearest ways they're fighting back.

The Bottom Line

Line of Fire arrives as a well-cast, smartly structured drama that respects the procedural format while modernizing it. Whether it earns a long run will depend on how well it sustains its serialized threads—but the foundation, built around Krause and Davis, is as solid as network TV gets right now.