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‘Line of Fire’ Creator Explains Premiere’s Shocking Reveal and What’s Next
TV & Film

'Line of Fire' Creator Explains Premiere's Killer Twist and What Lies Ahead

Creator Joshua Safran breaks down the shocking pilot ending and why that massive family reveal changes everything for the Hollingsworths.

By Dee AlvarezPublished Updated 1 min read

NBC's newest family drama *Line of Fire* did not waste any time delivering huge surprises in its debut episode. The high-stakes premiere wrapped up with a jaw-dropping revelation that turns the Hollingsworth family upside down. Just as the episode reached its final moments, patriarch Mike Hollingsworth and his wife Jane made a horrifying discovery about the assassin targeting their household. The dramatic setup unfolds after Clare Hollingsworth brings her boyfriend, Logan, to meet her parents. Following a chaotic first interaction, Logan finds himself completely alone inside the Hollingsworth home. That is when Joel, initially presented to viewers as a friendly neighbor, suddenly corners Logan. After hinting that Logan is harboring a dangerous secret, Joel stabs and kills him on the spot.

What happened at the end of the Line of Fire premiere?

Taylor Bloom, Tommy O’Brien, Kat Cunning, Hope Davis and Peter Krause in “Line of Fire.” (Spencer Pazer/NBC)
Taylor Bloom, Tommy O’Brien, Kat Cunning, Hope Davis and Peter Krause in “Line of Fire.” (Spencer Pazer/NBC)

The true bombshell drops when Mike and Jane piece together who committed the homicide right under their roof. Joel is actually Mike's son from a prior marriage, making the trained assassin one of their very own family members. Rather than instantly alerting law enforcement, Mike and Jane choose to stay quiet about their son's connection to the murder for now. According to reports, series creator Joshua Safran knew this game-changing twist would close out the pilot from the moment he first conceived the show. Safran explained that the shocking reveal was baked directly into his initial pitch for the series.

Tommy O’Brien, Kat Cunning and Taylor Bloom in “Line of Fire.” (Scott Gries/NBC)
Tommy O’Brien, Kat Cunning and Taylor Bloom in “Line of Fire.” (Scott Gries/NBC)

What is coming next on Line of Fire?

Hope Davis and Kat Cunning in “Line of Fire.” (Scott Gries/NBC)
Hope Davis and Kat Cunning in “Line of Fire.” (Scott Gries/NBC)

Safran teased that there is significantly more to Joel's role than what audiences witnessed in the opening chapter. He warned that not everything on the series is what it appears to be, hinting at deeper layers surrounding the murder and the family's secrets. The heavy-hitting ensemble cast features Peter Krause as Mike, Hope Davis as Jane, and Charlie Barnett as the deadly Joel. Kat Cunning stars as Clare, while Pico Alexander plays the ill-fated Logan, whose sudden death sets the entire season in motion.

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The photos · 5

‘Line of Fire’ Creator Explains Premiere’s Shocking Reveal and What’s Next
Taylor Bloom, Tommy O’Brien, Kat Cunning, Hope Davis and Peter Krause in “Line of Fire.” (Spencer Pazer/NBC)
Tommy O’Brien, Kat Cunning and Taylor Bloom in “Line of Fire.” (Scott Gries/NBC)
Hope Davis and Kat Cunning in “Line of Fire.” (Scott Gries/NBC)
Joshua Safran and Hope Davis in the story: 'Line of Fire' Creator Explains Premiere's Killer Twist and What Lies Ahead

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People also ask

Who plays the assassin in the Line of Fire premiere?
Charlie Barnett portrays Joel, who is revealed to be Mike Hollingsworth's son from a previous marriage and the assassin targeting the family.
Did the creator of Line of Fire plan the pilot twist in advance?
Yes, creator Joshua Safran stated that the twist ending was baked into his original pitch for the show.