During a panel at the Television Critics Association to discuss NBC’s new drama “State of Affairs,” star Katherine Heigl found herself on the hot seat, being asked to respond to claims that she’s “difficult,” The Hollywood Reporter’s Live Feed reports.

Heigl drew criticism for her behavior after her exit from ABC’s “Grey’s Anatomy” in 2010, and when she called her box-office hit “Knocked Up” “sexist.”

“I certainly don't see myself as being difficult; I would never intend to be difficult. I don't think my mother sees herself as being difficult," Heigl said, referring to her producer-manager mother, Nancy.

The actress added: “It's always important to everybody to conduct themselves professionally and respectfully and kindly, so if I have ever disappointed somebody, it was never intentional."

She said she decided to return to TV “because it's an extraordinary role, an extraordinary opportunity and story, and an opportunity for me to flex some different muscles and show a different side of myself as actor and performer and storyteller that I hope my audience will be excited about and love."

Katherine Heigl