The political drama series “Scandal,” produced by Shonda Rhimes, rocked the TV world. It made a powerful, tangible impact during its seven-season run from 2012–2018. The series focused on the drama-filled life of Olivia Pope, played by Kerry Washington. It developed a passionate cult following and was met with rave reviews. Through its complex storylines and nuanced characters, “Scandal” emerged as a cultural touchstone that captured the imaginations of audiences across the globe. After the series finale, many of the cast members celebrated the success of The Wire by continuing to work on other successful projects. The rest stepped into fresh, innovative endeavors.
Kerry Washington’s groundbreaking portrayal of Olivia Pope surely had something to do with it. She imbued strength and vulnerability into a woman who walked the sharp edge of political scandal. The character was loosely based on the real-life Judy Smith, a crisis management specialist. Washington’s work really did make her an undeniable force as a leading actress. Her talent as a performer was highlighted often with her amazing ensemble cast. Incredible talents like Tony Goldwyn, Bellamy Young, and Joshua Malina all contributed their indelible mark in shaping the show’s success.
Even today, “Scandal” is still streaming on Netflix, thrilling fans all over again. Today, they are revisiting the series, sharing how its server storylines and deep character development impacted their lives. Here’s what your favorites from the iconic show have been up to since its finale. More importantly, it spotlights their ongoing positive impact within the entertainment space.
Kerry Washington and Olivia Pope’s Impact
Kerry Washington’s character Olivia Pope had an undeniable impact on the course of her career. The character became an indelible representation of strength, intelligence, and resilience in what remains to this day a male-dominated political landscape. Washington’s outstanding performance was met with wide praise, garnering her multiple Primetime Emmy nominations.
In interviews after the series’ end, Washington said she was thankful for all she had learned about playing Olivia. She commented that portraying such an intense character was at once a challenge and a privilege. Her groundbreaking work on the show “Scandal” paved the way for Davis to continue playing a wide array of complex characters in both movies and television.
“It’s really weird, I’ve never played a role for seven years, and I was walking to the table read really nervous.” – Katie Lowes
Washington has moved into producing and directing projects that not only speak to her values, but help redefine them. She has deeply engaged with stories that focus on social justice issues and women’s empowerment. Her journey is a testament to her commitment to shattering ceilings in Tinseltown. In doing so, she remains powerfully in touch with the role that made her a household name.
The Supporting Cast’s Continued Success
Even the ensemble cast of “Scandal” found Hollywood success after the show was canceled. Tony Goldwyn, who played President Fitzgerald Grant, has taken on various roles in film and theater while continuing to advocate for social issues. All that experience has shaped the way he approaches acting and storytelling, honing his craft for exploring darker and more complex characters.
Bellamy Young played Mellie Grant, who, over the course of the series, went from First Lady to presidential competitor. Young has continued to be involved in the entertainment business. He’s a regular on hit, guest-starred on dozens of series. In many ways, she looks back on her years spent as Mellie with fondness and appreciation.
“It’s a lot of fun to come home at night and watch a Republican debate and go [to work] the next day and figure out how to be a Republican candidate.” – Bellamy Young
Joshua Malina, who played David Rosen, is a performer who’s done it all. Aside from his creative endeavors, he lends his voice to civic conversations around politics and social justice. Through his character David, he had the opportunity to address ideas of right and wrong, good and bad within the political space.
“Everywhere we’ve gone, people are constantly asking me, trying to get me to stay stuff.” – Joshua Malina
Malina’s continued involvement in politically charged conversations reflects the show’s lasting influence on both him and its audience.
Reflecting on Character Journeys
As audiences continue to binge-watch “Scandal,” they too find themselves pondering the complicated arcs of some of our favorite characters. Characters like Huck, played by Guillermo Diaz, went through some darkness over the life of the show. As Diaz said, Huck’s arc was pretty much the definitive story of resilience and redemption.
“What I love that I took away from the [finale], and what people will take away from it is that the truth will set you free and the truth will prevail.” – Guillermo Diaz
Katie Lowes, who portrayed Quinn Perkins, took to Instagram to share her shock at the way her character’s storyline ended. She expressed just how special it was for her character to achieve happiness after suffering many horrors from the beginning of the show until now.
Columbus Short, who portrayed Harrison Wright, shared his thoughts on how he envisioned his character’s potential relationships evolving throughout the series. He highlighted the fact that he would personally have preferred to see Harrison with Quinn.
“I would have liked Harrison to eventually have been with Katie, how we started.” – Columbus Short
These complex players relationships revelations are what made “Scandal” so impactful and relatable, immersing us in their struggles, evolution, and ultimate victory. As cast members reflect on their experiences, they appreciate how their characters contributed to broader discussions about politics and personal integrity.
The Influence of Shonda Rhimes
At the center of what made “Scandal” so essential, though, is Shonda Rhimes’ vision—a fiery cocktail of ambition, drama, and sharp social commentary. So Rhimes introduced rich characters who dealt with ethical questions in a cutthroat world. Her artistry in weaving personal conflict with political drama intrigued viewers and quickly raised the bar for television dramas.
“Shonda creates the pressure of simultaneous, dichotomous truths of what is amoral strategy meets an idealism and a real belief.” – Jeff Perry
Rhimes’ impact went further than specific characters. She changed the way stories of women in power are portrayed on-screen. Her dedication to increasing the diversity of casting and storytelling on-screen opened up doors for those often left out of Hollywood narratives.
Her work with actors, especially Jeff Perry, reinforced the understanding that great performances are key to tackling challenging narratives. Perry’s portrayal of Cyrus Beene was a great example of this dynamic.
“It’s always so much fun to write for Cyrus Beene because you know that anything you write is going to be delivered and glib.” – Shonda Rhimes
The trailblazing effects of “Scandal” can still be felt in today’s television storylines. It challenges new storytellers to explore questions of privilege, agency and the consequences of our decisions.
