Scandal is arguably the most popular political drama on television right now. Starring Kerry Washington as the lead character, Olivia Pope, who’s now become one of the most iconic TV characters due to her impeccable fashion, diet of red wine and popcorn, and of course, being a boss lady who runs a crisis management firm in Washington, D.C. The series is another successful product of show creator Shonda Rhimes, but after over 100 episodes, Scandal is currently in its seventh and final season seventh and final. Before our favorite show comes to an end, here’s a look at 15 behind the scenes secrets!
15. ABC’s Casting Decisions
In an interview with Hollywood Reporter, Shonda Rhimes revealed that the ABC network originally envisioned the leading lady to be white. Casting director Linda Lowy said, “The network was reading us their top choices, and it was Connie [Britton] and all white women. I panicked. Somebody finally pipped up, ‘We’re going to have to redo this list.” Since the show was inspired by famed Washington, D.C. crisis manager Judy Smith, Rhimes really felt the need to stay true to the story behind it all. “When the show got picked up [to pilot], I got a phone call from somebody who said, ‘This would be the perfect show for Connie Britton.’ I said, ‘It would be, except Olivia Pope is black,'” said Rhimes.
Danny Feld / © ABC / Courtesy: Everett Collection