Scandal (2012)
Shonda Rhimes' electrifying political drama follows crisis fixer Olivia Pope as she battles Washington's darkest secrets — and her own.
Scandal - Series Information
- Original Title: Scandal
- First Air Year: 2012
- Last Air Year: 2018
- Created by: Shonda Rhimes
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Drama
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Number of Seasons: 7
- Number of Episodes: 124
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: April 5, 2012 (United States - TV-14), April 5, 2012 (United Kingdom - 18), April 5, 2012 (Germany - 18), April 5, 2012 (France - 12), April 5, 2012 (India - U), April 5, 2012 (Australia - MA 15+), April 5, 2012 (Brazil - 16), April 5, 2012 (Spain - 7), April 5, 2012 (South Korea - 15)
- Networks: ABC
- Alternative Titles: Skandalas (LT), სკანდალი (GE), Escândalos: Os Bastidores do Poder (BR), Scandal (US) (US), The Fixer (ZA), 스캔들 (KR)
- Production Companies: ABC Studios, shondaland
- Production Countries: United States of America
Scandal - Plot
Everyone has secrets and Olivia Pope has dedicated her life to protecting and defending the public images of the elite by keeping those secrets under wraps. Pope and her team are at the top of their game when it comes to getting the job done for their clients, but it becomes apparent that these "gladiators in suits," who specialize in fixing the lives of other people, have trouble fixing those closest at hand -- their own.
Scandal - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see what makes Olivia Pope's world so dangerously compelling:
Dirty little secrets always come out.
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Scandal - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Shonda Rhimes
Main Cast
- Kerry Washington
- Darby Stanchfield
- Katie Lowes
- Guillermo Díaz
- Jeff Perry
- Tony Goldwyn
- Joshua Malina
- Bellamy Young
- Scott Foley
- Joe Morton
Writers
- Paul William Davies
- Severiano Canales
- Johanna Lee
- Matt Byrne
- Raamla Mohamed
Executive Producers
- Shonda Rhimes
Scandal - FAQs
Where can you stream Scandal online?
Scandal is available to stream on Netflix and Hulu with a subscription, including Netflix Standard with Ads. It can also be purchased or rented through Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home. Availability may vary by region.
Is Scandal based on a real person or true story?
Yes, Scandal is loosely inspired by Judy Smith, a real-life Washington DC crisis manager and former George H.W. Bush White House press aide. Creator Shonda Rhimes drew on Smith's career as the foundation for Olivia Pope, though the show's storylines are entirely fictional.
Who are the main actors in Scandal?
Scandal stars Kerry Washington as crisis manager Olivia Pope, Tony Goldwyn as President Fitzgerald Grant, and Jeff Perry as Cyrus Beene. The ensemble cast also includes Darby Stanchfield, Katie Lowes, Guillermo Díaz, Joshua Malina, Bellamy Young, Scott Foley, and Joe Morton.
How many seasons and episodes does Scandal have?
Scandal ran for 7 seasons and 124 episodes in total, airing on ABC from April 2012 to April 2018. Season lengths varied, ranging from 7 episodes in Season 1 to 22 episodes in Seasons 2 and 4. A specials collection is also available.
Did Scandal win any major awards?
Scandal earned significant recognition throughout its run. Kerry Washington received Golden Globe and Emmy nominations for her role as Olivia Pope. The show also made history when Washington became the first Black woman in nearly 40 years to lead a network drama series, earning widespread critical praise.
What is the ending of Scandal explained?
In the series finale, Olivia Pope exposes the corrupt B613 operation and brings down Cyrus Beene's presidency. Mellie Grant remains president, Jake Ballard is imprisoned, and Olivia ultimately steps away from Washington to reclaim her identity — choosing herself over power in a widely discussed conclusion.
What content rating does Scandal carry?
Scandal is rated TV-14 in the United States, indicating content that may be unsuitable for children under 14. The series contains mature themes including political corruption, violence, sexual content, and morally complex storylines. Parental guidance is recommended for younger viewers.
Who created Scandal and what network aired it?
Scandal was created by Shonda Rhimes and produced by her company Shondaland in partnership with ABC Studios. It aired exclusively on ABC from April 5, 2012, through April 19, 2018, becoming one of the network's most-watched and culturally influential dramas of the decade.
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