Jenna Bush Hager unveils new look at NBC drama Line of Fire

Jenna Bush Hager is expanding her television career while continuing her role on “Today.” She serves as an executive producer on NBC’s upcoming drama “Line of Fire,” which follows the Hollingsworth family as its members work across the FBI, U.S. Marshals Service, Secret Service, and Department of Justice.

Bush Hager has said the project draws in part on her experience growing up around Secret Service protection as the daughter of former President George W. Bush. The series premieres September 21 and stars Peter Krause, Hope Davis, Kat Cunning, Tommy O’Brien, Taylor Bloom and Charlie Barnett.

Jenna Bush Hager expands her television career

Bush Hager joined NBC News as a “Today” correspondent in 2009 and became a permanent co-host of the program’s fourth hour in 2019. After Hoda Kotb’s departure in January 2025, she worked with rotating guest co-hosts until Sheinelle Jones became her permanent partner in January 2026.

Bush Hager is now expanding further into scripted television as an executive producer of “Line of Fire.” NBC initially developed the project as a pilot under the working title “Protection,” and Bush Hager publicly discussed the completed pilot on “Today” on April 30.

NBC ordered the project to series in May. The move adds scripted drama to Bush Hager’s existing work in broadcasting, publishing and television production without replacing her “Today” role.

A new mystery drama heads to NBC

“Line of Fire” premieres Monday, September 21, at 10 p.m. ET on NBC following the season premiere of “The Voice.” Episodes will also be available on Peacock the following day.

The project was initially developed under the title “Protection” and was publicly discussed as either “Protection” or “In the Line of Fire” before NBC settled on “Line of Fire.” NBC ordered the pilot to series in May as part of its 2026-27 programming lineup.

Josh Safran created the series and serves as an executive producer alongside Jenna Bush Hager and Ben Spector. Rebecca Thomas is also an executive producer on the pilot. Universal Television, a division of Universal Studio Group, produces the series.

The show draws from Bush Hager’s Secret Service experience

Bush Hager has said her experience growing up around Secret Service protection helped inspire “Line of Fire.” As the daughter of President George W. Bush, she spent years around agents charged with protecting her family and said she brought a White House element to the drama.

The series follows the Hollingsworth family, whose members work for the Secret Service, U.S. Marshals, FBI and Department of Justice. Their professional responsibilities collide with their family relationships after they become targets of a mysterious assassin.

Bush Hager has said the premise made her think about people who dedicate their lives to protecting others and what that responsibility can mean for their own families. The series combines that theme with family drama, mystery and action.

TODAY colleagues support Bush Hager’s new project

Sheinelle Jones publicly celebrated the project when NBC ordered “Line of Fire” to series in May. On “Today,” Jones congratulated Bush Hager on the pickup, calling it “huge.” Bush Hager and Jones currently co-host the fourth hour together.

Savannah Guthrie also joined the conversation when Peter Krause appeared on “Today” to discuss the series. During the segment, Guthrie jokingly asked whether the show featured college-age daughters who get into trouble, prompting discussion of Bush Hager’s own experiences around the Secret Service.

Bush Hager drew renewed attention on August 5 when she shared a new trailer for the drama ahead of its September 21 premiere. Viewers responded enthusiastically to the footage on social media.

Fun fact: Jenna Bush Hager and her twin sister, Barbara Pierce Bush, have co-authored 5 books together, including a memoir and 4 picture books.

The Hollingsworth family faces a dangerous conspiracy

The story centers on the Hollingsworth family, whose careers span the FBI, the U.S. Marshals Service, the Secret Service, and the Department of Justice.

The plot begins when a U.S. Marshal falls in the line of duty. What initially appears to be a straightforward case develops into a deadly conspiracy, and members of the family become targets of a mysterious assassin.

The Hollingsworths must cross professional boundaries and use their experience protecting civilians and politicians to protect one another while trying to bring the killer to justice. The setup combines a family drama with an ongoing mystery and action-thriller elements.

Peter Krause and Hope Davis lead the cast

Peter Krause stars as Mike Hollingsworth, a Secret Service agent and member of the family at the center of “Line of Fire.” Krause is well known for series including “Six Feet Under,” “Parenthood,” and “9-1-1.”

Hope Davis plays Jane Hollingsworth, a U.S. Marshal and Mike’s wife. Kat Cunning plays their FBI-agent daughter Clare, Tommy O’Brien plays Secret Service agent Micah, and Taylor Bloom plays Department of Justice analyst Russ.

Charlie Barnett is also among the series’ principal cast members. NBC lists Barnett among the show’s stars but does not identify his character as a Hollingsworth in its current official series description.

Thousand Voices expands Bush Hager’s storytelling work

Bush Hager founded Thousand Voices as a media and production company focused on storytelling across television, film, and podcasts, while its publishing venture extends that work into books. “Line of Fire” is part of her expansion into scripted television production.

Thousand Voices has entered publishing through a partnership with Random House Publishing Group. The Thousand Voices publishing venture focuses on debut and emerging writers across genres including romance, suspense, historical fiction and memoir.

The NBC drama adds another medium to Bush Hager’s work alongside her “Today” role, Read With Jenna book club and publishing projects. The result reflects her expanding ambitions within the entertainment industry.

Fans get a new look at the drama

“Line of Fire” premieres September 21 at 10 p.m. ET on NBC and will stream on Peacock the following day, giving viewers both broadcast and streaming options.

The series combines family drama, action, and an ongoing mystery as the Hollingsworths attempt to identify the assassin targeting their family. Peter Krause has praised the show’s many twists and turns and its mix of personal and professional family tensions.

Bush Hager’s experience growing up around Secret Service protection helped shape part of the premise, giving her an unusual personal perspective as an executive producer.

Little-known fact: Bush Hager’s birth name is Jenna Welch Bush Hager. She was named Jenna after her maternal grandmother, Jenna Hawkins Welch.

TL;DR

• Jenna Bush Hager is an executive producer of NBC’s new scripted drama “Line of Fire.”
• The series premieres September 21 at 10 p.m. ET after “The Voice” and streams on Peacock the following day.
• Peter Krause and Hope Davis lead an ensemble cast that also includes Kat Cunning, Tommy O’Brien, Taylor Bloom, and Charlie Barnett.
• Bush Hager has said her experience growing up around Secret Service protection helped inspire part of the show’s premise.
• Current “Today” co-host Sheinelle Jones publicly congratulated Bush Hager when NBC ordered the project to series.

If you liked this story, don’t forget to follow us for more exclusive content.

This article was made with AI assistance and human editing.

If you liked this, you might also like:

• Craig Melvin unintentionally reveals Jenna Bush Hager’s surprise cameo on Today
• Why Jenna Bush Hager’s absence is changing the feel of Today
• Jenna Bush Hager breaks down in tears as she reads a statement about Savannah Guthrie’s mom