Kerry Washington: Olivia Pope Role Was 'Divinely Mine' Despite Competition
The acclaimed actress opens up about landing her career-defining role in Scandal, revealing how she knew the part was meant for her even as she competed against numerous other talented performers for the coveted position.
Some television characters become so deeply connected to their actors that imagining anyone else in the role feels impossible. Just as Bryan Cranston became inseparable from Walter White in Breaking Bad, or James Gandolfini defined Tony Soprano, Kerry Washington's portrayal of Olivia Pope in Scandal created that same unbreakable bond between performer and character.
A Network Drama That Defied the Odds
Scandal premiered during a period when network television was struggling to compete with premium cable and streaming platforms. While HBO delivered Game of Thrones and FX produced The Americans, ABC's political thriller managed to capture massive audiences despite traditional broadcast limitations. The show followed Washington as a crisis management expert whose past relationship with President Fitzgerald Grant III, portrayed by Tony Goldwyn, creates dangerous complications across seven compelling seasons.
The series earned critical recognition, including two Emmy nominations for Washington's powerful performance. Her character navigated White House scandals and personal crises, creating appointment television that kept viewers engaged week after week.
Divine Connection to the Character
In a candid interview with The Guardian, Washington revealed her immediate connection to the script. "I read the Scandal script, and I was like, 'Oh, I'm screwed, this is so good'," she explained. "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 casting process proved intensely competitive, particularly given Shonda Rhimes' involvement as executive producer. Rhimes had already established herself through hits like Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice, making this opportunity especially coveted. "Shonda auditioned everyone and their mother," Washington noted. "For African-American actresses, this was the glass slipper, so she let everyone try it on."
Career-Defining Success
Washington's instinct about the role proved correct, and her dedication showed throughout the series' run. Unlike many long-running shows that decline in quality, Scandal maintained its strength through its final season, testament to Washington's evolving performance.
The show's success launched Washington into new opportunities, including acclaimed work in the television film Confirmation and another Emmy nomination for Little Fires Everywhere on Hulu. She recently joined the cast of Wake Up Dead Man: A Knives Out Mystery, continuing to build on her post-Scandal career.