Los Angeles, Feb. 21 -- Actor and director Peter Krause has secured a new leading role months after his shocking exit from the hit ABC series 9-1-1, where his character was unexpectedly killed off in the eighth season last April, according to E! News.

According to Deadline, the 60-year-old actor has joined NBC's upcoming crime drama 'Protection'. The series centers on a law enforcement family that "becomes the target of a mysterious assassin." Krause will star as Mike Thornhill, a former Secret Service agent and member of the targeted family, in the show's pilot episode. Further details about the character and additional cast members have not yet been revealed.

The series is being spearheaded by Josh Safran, known for Mean Girls, who wi...