ABC’s Scandal will draw you in hook, line and sinker. If you think we’re lying, we’re not. Even the cast is obsessed with it.
The ensemble show created by Shonda Rhimes is an addictive drama about a crisis management team (“gladiators in suits”) who can fix any scandal that comes their way. While Scandal’s first season was only seven episodes, it was packed with tons of information about the secrets of Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) and Associates. Not to mention the crazy jaw-dropping cliffhanger that new employee Quinn (Katie Lowes) is not who she says she is.
To give you a sneak peek into Season 2 of the sexy show, Rhimes, executive producer Betsy Beers and the entire cast minus Joshua Malina were in attendance at the Paley Center for Media’s Fall TV Preview panel where the lucky audience was treated to an exclusive screening of this season’s premiere.
So what scoop was dished on the upcoming season of the show?
With Quinn set to stand trial in Episode 1 of Season 2, Rhimes told the audience, “I think it’s going to be interesting for Quinn.”
As Pope and Associates are set to represent her, much to the chagrin of some of her co-workers, things are bound to get fascinating. Usually she says, “Olivia Pope tells everyone what to do and everyone at Pope and Associates does it but that’s sort of no longer true.”
Rhimes continued, “There’s a hole left by Steven (Henry Ian Cusick) who I think was the translator for Olivia to everybody and while there are people with blind loyalty. Some people are not going to take it so well.”
To put it more succinctly, Dary Stanchfield who plays gladiator-in-a-suit Abby Whelan said Season 2 is about, “two words: office politics.”
What about Olivia and her relationship with President Grant (Tony Goldwyn)?
While we know they share a sweet moment on this season’s premiere, we’re not going to spoil you here. All we can tell you is that during the panel Rhimes revealed that after seeing the scene, ”I actually said out loud ‘They love each other but they can’t be together.’”
She went on to say that “they clearly have this relationship that is very permanent. It’s not going to go anywhere. And yet the obstacles that keep them apart are huge and fairly insurmountable.” Enter Mellie (Bellamy Young), the President’s wife.
As the fast-paced show has typically integrated an overarching serialized element with a case of the week procedural, the show requires some heavy-hitting actors for guest roles.
“Last season we had a roster of guest cast that filled things out,” shared Rhimes. “This season there are guest cast that sort of move through that play pivotal roles. It’s hard for me to tell you what those roles will be until the season is done, but yes we have people coming on for pivotal roles.”
Pressed for more information, the Grey’s Anatomy creator would only say that these guests are human.
The casts’ self proclaimed obsession with the show has even led some of the actors to read scripts while driving. So, it was really no surprise that when Rhimes revealed to them and us the just-in-the-works plan for a full flashback episode, each one let out a gasp.
What can we say? We did too.
The second season of Scandal premieres Thursday, Sept. 27 at 10 PM. To catch up on the first season, head on over to Netflix where you can watch all seven episodes.
Will you be watching Scandal when it returns? Who do you think Quinn is? Sound off in the comments below!
