At a Glance
- Jenna Bush Hager is producing her first scripted TV drama, “Protection,” for NBC
- The show centers on law-enforcement layers, including Secret Service agents
- She partners with “Quantico” creator Josh Safran and producer Ben Spector
- Why it matters: The former first daughter turns personal White House experience into primetime storytelling
Jenna Bush Hager is expanding her role at NBC from morning host to television producer, unveiling plans for a new drama titled “Protection” that draws on her unique upbringing. The 44-year-old revealed the project during the Jan. 14 broadcast of “TODAY With Jenna & Sheinelle,” telling new co-host Sheinelle Jones that cameras could roll as early as this spring.
From First Daughter to Show Creator
Bush Hager described the premise as “different levels of law enforcement, some based on Secret Service,” adding with a grin, “So, y’all know I know about that.” The former first daughter-whose parents are former President George W. Bush and former First Lady Laura Bush-said the twist-filled pilot already stunned network executives.
“I joined all the pitches because every time, to watch these sometimes jaded executives’-not all of you, not all of you-faces drop with the twist,” she said. “The twist is so good.”
Production Team and Timeline
The hour-long drama marks the first project under her recently signed first-look deal with NBC-owned Universal Studio Group. Her producing partners are:
- Josh Safran, creator and show-runner of ABC’s “Quantico”
- Ben Spector, executive producer of CNN’s “Eva Longoria: Searching for Mexico”
Bush Hager told viewers, “We’re hopefully going to start shooting this spring, cross your fingers, y’all. I’m so excited.”
A 15-Year NBC Journey
Bush Hager’s NBC tenure began in 2009 as a TODAY correspondent after four years teaching in Washington, D.C., public schools. Key milestones include:
- 2019: took over the fourth-hour co-host chair alongside Hoda Kotb
- 2019: launched the Read With Jenna book club
- 2024: signed first-look producing pact with Universal Studio Group
“Who knew I would ever do something like this, ladies and gentlemen?” she marveled on air.
Balancing Career and Motherhood
The Daytime Emmy winner juggles producing duties with parenting three children-Mila, 12, Poppy, 10, and Hal, 6-with husband Henry Hager. She told Jones that staying closely involved during the pitch phase kept her energized about the project’s potential.
Key Takeaways
- Bush Hager’s production company, formed under her Universal deal, makes its debut with “Protection”
- The Secret Service angle capitalizes on firsthand childhood memories of life inside the presidential protective bubble
- If the project stays on schedule, cameras will roll in spring, positioning the drama for a potential 2025-26 season launch
