Peter Krause opens up about Nate Fisher’s lasting impact 25 years later

Peter Krause is reflecting on the role that helped define his career, revealing that he saw parts of himself in Nate Fisher while starring in HBO’s acclaimed drama Six Feet Under.

Speaking with TV Insider ahead of the show's 25th anniversary, the 60-year-old actor opened up about why he connected so deeply with Nate, the conflicted eldest son at the center of the Fisher family's funeral home business.

Krause explained that Nate’s struggle to balance personal authenticity with family obligations resonated with him during the years he portrayed the character.

“[Nate] was leading this compromised life where he really couldn't be himself, and I think we can all relate to that at different times,” Krause said.

The Emmy-winning series, which premiered in 2001 and ran for five seasons, followed the Fisher family as they navigated grief, relationships, and the challenges of operating a family-run funeral home.

Nate's journey often centered on his desire to forge his own path while managing the expectations placed upon him.

Looking back, Krause said conversations with series creator Alan Ball helped him better understand the character's internal conflict.

“I could see that the character was concerned with leading an authentic life, and these other demands from his family members were going to prevent him from leading this authentic life,” he explained.

According to the actor, that tension became one of the defining themes of Nate's story throughout the series.

“I think we can all relate to that at different times, when there are pressures from the outside that make us, out of a sense of responsibility or obligation, make decisions that take us away from our genuine self,” Krause said.

The actor added that the emotional complexity of the role mirrored aspects of his own life at the time.

“That particular grind in Nate was something that, at that time in my life, I responded to,” he noted.

As he reflects on Six Feet Under more than two decades after its debut, Krause remains drawn to projects that explore family dynamics.

The actor is currently preparing for his next television role in NBC’s Line of Fire, which is expected to premiere later this year.

Krause said family-centered stories continue to appeal to him because of the evolving relationships both on-screen and behind the scenes.

“I think the work gets better because you get to know them,” he said. “What's fun about Parenthood or family shows like Six Feet Under is that you get to push each other's buttons.”