Harry Smith is returning to NBC News as a contributor, with plans to report on feature stories called Common Good.

Smith’s return is official as of Monday, when he will appear at a Common Ground live event hosted by the network. The network confirmed his return, first reported by People. He told the publication, “I have long believed that there is more that unites us than divides us. It’s in our bones. It’s part of America’s DNA.”

Smith departed the network in March, 2024 after 12 years, with a send off on NBC’s Today. “I have nothing but gratitude,” he said. “Every time I would always come on this show, I was always welcomed so generously. I’ve had just this unbelievable array of phenomenal experiences since coming to NBC, and so I’m really full of nothing but gratitude. Every time I’ve come on, everyone would drop their phones, pay attention to the story and then respond.”

Smith previously hosted CBS This Morning and its predecessor, The Early Show, for 17 years. After departing NBC News in 2024, he has been teaching at Central College in Iowa.

Netflix has found its leads for Icebreaker, its series adaptation of Hannah Grace‘s bestselling novel. Daisy Jelley (Poser, How To Have Sex) will play Anastasia “Stassie” Allen and Connor Simos (Subversion) will portray Nate Hawkins in the college hockey romance drama series.

In Icebreaker, she is the transfer gunning for Olympic gold. He is the campus star chasing the NHL. But when an accident forces their teams to share one rink, Anastasia Allen and Nate Hawkins collide—and discipline gives way to obsession, because the only thing more dangerous than wanting to win is wanting each other.

The book, the first in a trilogy, titled Maple Hills, spent 70 weeks atop the New York Times bestseller list. Originally published in November 2022 with a wide release in 2023, the blockbuster novel has surpassed nearly 5 million copies sold worldwide. Total sales for the three-book series have surpassed 7.5 million copies globally.

Icebreaker is created and executive produced by Jade Halley Bartlett (Road House, Doctor Strange in the Multiverse of Madness, Miller’s Girl). Amanda Lasher (Gossip Girl, The Bold Type, Togetherness) serves as showrunner, writer and excutive producer. Grace also executive produces along with Alex Cooper, Matt Kaplan and Mina Lefevre for Cooper’s Unwell Productions.

Icebreaker joins a lineup of Netflix adaptations, including I Will Find You, Little House on the Prairie, and the breakout series His & Hers Upcoming adaptations include East of Eden, Pride and Prejudice, The Corrections, and Lonesome Dove.

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