Scandal (TV series)

Scandal is an American political thriller television series created by Shonda Rhimes and starring Kerry Washington as crisis manager Olivia Pope.

Scandal is an American political thriller television series created by Shonda Rhimes and starring Kerry Washington as crisis manager Olivia Pope. It aired on ABC from 2012 to 2018 and follows Pope and her team as they handle scandals, political crises, and personal conflicts in Washington, D.C. The character of Olivia Pope was partially based on Judy Smith, a former George H. W. Bush administration press aide and co-executive producer.

Premise

Scandal follows Olivia Pope and her team as they manage high-profile crises, protect reputations, and navigate political power in Washington, D.C. The series also tracks their personal relationships and conflicts, especially Olivia’s connection to President Fitzgerald Grant III.

Production

The series was created by Shonda Rhimes, with Judy Smith serving as a co-executive producer and partial inspiration for Olivia Pope. It was produced for ABC and became one of Rhimes’s best-known network dramas.

Broadcast and release

Scandal premiered on ABC on April 5, 2012, and ended on April 19, 2018. It ran for 124 episodes across seven seasons.

Reception and themes

The series is widely described as a political drama or thriller focused on scandal management, secrecy, and power. Coverage highlights its mature tone and its blend of political storylines with soap-operatic personal drama.