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Heigl moves to a new 'State' By Jay Bobbin © Zap2it From the corridors of a Seattle hospital to the inner circle of the White House, Katherine Heigl is making a big move as she returns to series work. The "Grey's Anatomy" alum also is an executive producer of "State of Affairs," an NBC drama series premiering Monday, Nov. 17 (replacing "The Blacklist," which will move to Thursdays when it resumes in February). Heigl plays CIA analyst Charleston "Charlie" Tucker, whose ties to President Constance Payton (four-time Emmy winner Alfre Woodard) aren't only professional: She was engaged to the chief executive's son, killed by terrorists she remains determined to catch. Heigl admits the biggest challenge she faces with "State of Affairs" is "just trying to get people to believe I could actually be a CIA analyst. I think that was what was so compelling to me is that this is an actual job, and I had never realized that. I'm not sure why, but a lot of people have asked me, 'Does this really happen? Does the President have a briefer?' "I thought the opportunity to delve into that and show this side of the CIA was really compelling," adds Heigl, "and to play such an intelligent woman who is a real patriot, who really believes that she can make a difference and help protect her country and help her president do her job. And the idea that this is ripe with all kinds of fascinating stories about this country and this world Katherine Heigl stars in the drama series "State of Affairs," premiering Monday on NBC. and what goes on that we don't really know much about." Woodard will be helping to convey that information as said president. "I think the gorilla in the room is we all know that the world will not spin off its axis if there's an African American as president," the veteran actress says, "so the gorilla in the room is that I'm a woman. And hopefully, everybody will get accustomed to saying 'Madam President' in their homes, and so we won't freak out when there is a Madam President." In returning to television with "State of Affairs," on which her mother Nancy also is an executive producer, Heigl — the wife of singer-songwriter Josh Kelley ("Amazing") — explains that her break from the home screen over the past several years was what she needed at the time. "I took a couple of years off to just really be with my family and be with my new child, my new daughter, and expand that family. And I needed that time. I needed to be a mom and be a wife and be a friend and really revel in that, and remember what it is I feel so passionate about in this industry." 2 The Goshen News • TV Spotlight • November 17 - 23, 2014 On or Off-Site Catering All Occasions Dine under the glow of gas lanterns Breakfast and Lunch Meals also available Open Tuesday through Saturday www.goshennews.com

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