Katherine Heigl Talks NBC's 'State of Affairs' Plus Her Most Important Role

Katherine Heigl has been making the media rounds lately promoting her new NBC television show, State of Affairs, and in her interview with Utah’s Deseret News she made it clear that even with all her success, and her upcoming TV show, that being a mother is the most important thing she’s done in her life.

“…I knew it would be. Even before I had children, I had such strong instincts to be a mom. And, I knew that having children would put my life in perspective in a way that I couldn’t without them. I know that sounds odd, but the world had become so, sort of, singularly focused for me on my career and success and getting that next role and getting that next part, that I just needed my life to be bigger than just my career. I wanted to have an impact and do something more than just perform, and being a mother is that for me.”

Photo by: Nino Munoz/NBC

Heigl has two adopted daughters, Naleigh, 5, and Adalaide, 2 with musician-husband Josh Kelley, and four years ago, she and her family moved to a 25-acre ranch in Utah so they could escape the hustle and bustle of Hollywood. “I had almost dreamt of mountain properties… I just find Utah to be so beautiful,” Heigl said. “The weather is so perfect. There are no real extremes in summer or in winter. The people are really kind and gracious and down-to-earth and normal. We really kind of found this little place of heaven.”

Heigl and her mom, Nancy, are also executive producers on her new show, and the actress confessed that she’s a bit nervous about tonight’s premiere. “The level of anticipation is killing me. I need a vacation from this anticipation. It’s too intense… I’m hoping that everyone sees in it what I see…”

The series stars Heigl as CIA analyst Charleston Tucker, who is tasked with assembling and presenting the President’s Daily Briefing on the most vital security issues facing the country. Alfre Woodard co-stars as the first black female President, Constance Payton, who, in a different world, would have been Tucker’s mother-in-law.

Be sure to check out State of Affairs tonight at 10/9c on NBC right after The Voice.