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OAKLEY, Summit County — Promos of NBC's new drama, "State of Affairs,” premieres Monday night and stars Utah resident, Katherine Heigl.
Heigl credits her family and faith for helping her juggle motherhood with the demands of Hollywood.
Heigl's parents converted to the LDS Church when she was a child and many of their beliefs have stayed with her.
Kathryn Heigl has called the small Utah town of Oakley home for the past seven years.
“Maybe I am biased, but I really think there is no more beautiful place in America,” said Heigl. “The people are really kind and gracious and down to earth and normal.”
Heigl and her husband, musician Josh Kelley, moved to Utah the year they adopted their oldest daughter Naleigh.
“I got to go there and decompress and disappear from Hollywood for a little while and just be her mom and get to know this little girl,” Heigl said.
Heigl and her family live in Hollywood part-time while filming her new show.
As star and executive producer, Heigl said waiting for State of Affairs to premiere is more stressful than any of her movie premiers.
Utah will always be, for me, my safe haven.
–Katherine Heigl
“The level of anticipation is killing me. Like, I need a vacation from this anticipation,” said Heigl.
She plays a CIA analyst who briefs the President daily.
With Alfrie Woodward playing the role of President, State of Affairs emphasizes women in leadership roles.
Off screen, Heigl credits her mother and co-executive producer for helping her get this project off the ground.
“I think my mother has really great insights and instincts about storytelling,” Heigl said.
This mother-daughter team has always been close, and together, have endured many trials. Heigl's brother died in a car accident and Nancy Heigl's battled against breast cancer.
Heigl credits her family's faith for carrying them through those difficult times.
"I’ve suffered loss. We've gone through a lot in my family and in my personal life, but I’ve never blamed God that he somehow let me down,” said Heigl. “I was always just grateful there was someone there, something there to help me.”
Though Heigl is no longer a practicing member of the church, she is grateful for the impact it had on her.
“I just feel the connection my parents and the church helped foster for me as a child stays in me. Having faith and feeling like there is a higher being on my side who cares,” Heigl said.
Heigl feels getting back to Utah helps her juggle the demands of Hollywood with family life.
“Utah will always be, for me, my safe haven.”
