Jennifer Lopez sees all the diverse characters now making their way on TV screens across America as an episode that's been long in coming.

"I think it's been coming for many years," the star of the new NBC drama series "Shades of Blue" recently told Deadline. "And it's not just race, but all different types of diversity."

In Lopez's mind the turning point came with Shonda Rhimes and her work on ABC's series "Grey's Anatomy."

"That's where TV got interesting again," she said. "I remember watching that and what was so interesting was where she placed different characters. Since then it feels like the norm. There's no getting away from it."

Lopez insists that's just the way she now likes it, adding she's convinced the best projects and characters these days are on TV. It's part of the reason why the "American Idol" judge couldn't say no when the network came calling about "Shades of Blue."

"It had enough of a base for me to grow, and grow into something that doesn't get worn," Lopez said about her decision to join the cast.

In the series, Lopez star as Harlee Santos, a single-parent Brooklyn detective collared by the FBI for dirty dealing while in uniform. Ultimately, she is forced to turn informant against her police unit or face jail time.

The series also stars Ray Liotta as Lt. Matt Wozniak and "Shades of Blue," along with "Telenovela," has been among the new NBC shows receiving the most praise this season.

"I'm thrilled about our diversity throughout the whole network," NBC Entertainment Chairman Robert Greenblatt recently told reporters. "GLAAD documented us as the most diverse network. I think our casts are 41% diverse. And we just happen to get into business with Jennifer and Eva (Longoria). We cast America Ferrera in 'Superstore;' it wasn't even designed for her, but it's a great coincidence."

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