State of Affairs Preview: Series Premiere
Katherine Heigl (Grey’s Anatomy) returns to television this Monday in the new NBC drama, State of Affairs. From the director of The Blacklist, this political drama centers around CIA analysis, Charleston Tucker, and the first black female president, Constance Payton, played by Alfre Woodard (Desperate Housewives, The Last Ship).
But in addition to the working relationship in which Charleston briefs the president on security issues, the two also have a unique personal relationship. Charleston’s fiance, who was attacked and murdered, was the president’s son.
As for how Charleston deals with her loss, she buries herself in her work, and in her personal time, distracts herself with alcohol and men. Heigl describes her character as someone who is “tough” and “strong-minded,” and who “doesn’t take a lot of crap.”
The show seems to combine elements of The Blacklist, Scandal, and Homeland for what looks to be a promising new show. But what’s special about it, according to Heigl, is that it shows “intelligence that’s never been portrayed on television before.” Executive Producer Rodney Faraon once served on the president’s daily briefing team, and has helped to make sure the story and dialogue are realistic.
State of Affairs will air Mondays at 10/9c on NBC.
Ashley Bissette Sumerel
Ashley Bissette Sumerel is a television and film critic living in Wilmington, North Carolina. She is editor-in-chief of Tell-Tale TV as well as Eulalie Magazine. Ashley has also written for outlets such as Rolling Stone, Paste Magazine, and Insider. Ashley has been a member of the Critics Choice Association since 2017 and is a Rotten Tomatoes-approved critic. In addition to her work as an editor and critic, Ashley teaches Entertainment Journalism, Composition, and Literature at the University of North Carolina Wilmington.