Kerry Washington, who made television history with her portrayal of Olivia Pope in Scandal, recently reflected on the groundbreaking nature of her role and its lasting impact on representation in network dramas.
During a recent interview, Washington acknowledged the cultural significance of her casting, noting that when Scandal premiered in 2012, it marked the first time in nearly 40 years that a Black woman led a network drama.
“In my early 30s, it hadn’t happened in my lifetime,” she said, adding that the network and studio initially labeled the decision as a “risk.”
Washington stated that the character of Olivia Pope, inspired by real-life crisis manager Judy Smith, could not have been whitewashed because of its real-world inspiration:
“When they first read the script, executives were like, ‘This is a great role for Connie Britton.’ I love Connie, but Judy Smith is a Black woman. They didn’t have the option to say, ‘Let’s make her white.’”
Reflecting on today’s entertainment landscape, Washington expressed doubt that Scandal would be greenlit under current conditions.
“The environment right now is so risk-averse. I don’t know that it would have happened with a Black woman at the center,” she explained.
The success of Scandal, created by Shonda Rhimes, reshaped perceptions in Hollywood, proving that authentic representation is not a gamble but a necessity.
It also paved the way for more diverse storytelling and leading roles for Black women in television.
