VIDEO: Katherine Heigl Explains Why She's Finally Ready to Return to TV

Katherine Heigl

Nearly five years after her contentious exit from ABC'sGrey's Anatomy, Katherine Heiglis returning to television for what she calls an extraordinary series: NBC's new political dramaState of Affairs.

"Why now? This project is an extraordinary opportunity for me," Heigl tells us in the video interview below. "I made a difficult decision [to leave Grey's], but it was the right decision for me at the time. I really just wanted to spend more time with my family and my new baby and extend my family and I'm really grateful to have been able to do that and I'm very grateful for these last couple of years."

Katherine Heigl: I quitGrey'sbecause "my priorities were messed up"

On the upcoming series, which premieresMondayat 10/9c, Heigl stars as top CIA analyst Charleston "Charlie" Tucker. But combating terrorism and managing international crises isn't just her job. When Charlie's fianc also the son of the president (Alfre Woodard) is killed during an attack, it becomes her life's mission to avenge his death and solve his murder.

Does Katherine Heigl regret leavingGrey's Anatomy?

"What we have is ... two women who are powerful and are not afraid of each other's power," Woodard says. "You don't want to be in the way of two women who need to avenge something."

Watch the video below for more from Heigl and Woodard:

State of Affairspremiereson Mondayat 10/9c on NBC.

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VIDEO: Katherine Heigl Explains Why She's Finally Ready to Return to TV