Kerry Washington on Landing Her Defining Role in Scandal
Kerry Washington opens up about her journey to becoming Olivia Pope in Scandal, sharing why she felt uniquely connected to the role and how the series changed her career.
Some television characters are so closely tied to the actors who play them, it’s hard to picture anyone else stepping into their shoes. Think of Bryan Cranston as Walter White, James Gandolfini as Tony Soprano, or Jon Hamm as Don Draper. In the same way, Scandal owes much of its success to Kerry Washington’s portrayal of Olivia Pope.
When Scandal hit screens, network TV was starting to look a bit tired, with most of the buzz shifting to cable and streaming platforms. Despite the limitations of its time slot and content rules, the show quickly became a hit, earning plenty of praise and a couple of Emmy nods for Washington. She played a sharp crisis manager, constantly dodging trouble as secrets about her past with the US President, played by Tony Goldwyn, threatened to surface. The series, packed with political intrigue and personal drama, kept punters hooked for seven seasons.
Finding the Perfect Fit
Washington told The Guardian she felt an instant connection to the script.
“I read the Scandal script, and I was like, ‘Oh, I’m screwed, this is so good’,”
she recalled.
“I got really scared, because I did feel like it was written for me. You know, in some divine way, this was mine, but there were 15 other actresses who felt the same.”
The competition was fierce, with plenty of talented actors keen for a shot at the role.
One of the big draws for Washington was the chance to work with Shonda Rhimes, the powerhouse behind Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice. Rhimes’s reputation meant the casting process was no walk in the park.
“Shonda auditioned everyone and their mother,”
Washington said.
“For African-American actresses, this was the glass slipper, so she let everyone try it on”.
Making the Role Her Own
Washington’s passion for the project helped her stand out, and she threw herself into the part. As the series went on, her performance grew and changed, keeping the character fresh and the story engaging. Unlike many shows that lose steam towards the end, Scandal’s final season was just as well received as its debut.
The show’s popularity gave Washington’s career a real boost. After Scandal, she picked up strong reviews for her work in the TV film Confirmation, scored another Emmy nomination for Little Fires Everywhere, and joined the cast of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. Still, Scandal remains the project most closely linked to her name, and for many, she’ll always be remembered as Olivia Pope.