Kerry Washington’s Defining Turn as Olivia Pope in Scandal

Some television performances are so closely tied to their actors that it’s difficult to picture anyone else in the part. Think of Bryan Cranston’s Walter White, James Gandolfini’s Tony Soprano, or Jon Hamm’s Don Draper. In a similar vein, the ABC drama Scandal owes much of its success to Kerry Washington’s portrayal of Olivia Pope, a role that would come to define her career.

Scandal arrived on screens during a period when traditional broadcasters were losing ground to cable and streaming platforms, which were producing more daring and sophisticated dramas. Despite the constraints of network television—stricter content rules and fixed schedules—the series quickly became a sensation. Washington’s character, a sharp-witted crisis manager entangled in political intrigue and personal secrets, captivated viewers for seven series. Her performance earned her two Primetime Emmy nominations, as she led a team navigating scandals at the highest levels of government, with Tony Goldwyn playing the US President, Fitzgerald Grant III.

Landing the Role

In an interview with The Guardian, Washington described her immediate 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, as the opportunity to work with Shonda Rhimes—already renowned for Grey’s Anatomy and Private Practice—was highly sought after. Washington noted,

Shonda auditioned everyone and their mother. For African-American actresses, this was the glass slipper, so she let everyone try it on

.

Shaping a Television Icon

Washington’s determination and enthusiasm ultimately secured her the part. She dedicated herself to ensuring her character evolved throughout the series, maintaining a high standard even as many long-running dramas tend to falter in later years. Remarkably, Scandal’s final series was as well received as its debut, a testament to both the writing and Washington’s commitment to the role.

The show’s popularity propelled Washington to new heights. She went on to earn critical acclaim for her work in the television film Confirmation, received another Emmy nomination for the miniseries Little Fires Everywhere, and joined the ensemble cast of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery. Yet, for many, she will always be remembered as Olivia Pope—a role that, for better or worse, has become inseparable from her name.