Kerry Washington recently reflected on how her role in the political thriller series Scandal sparked a crucial conversation about opportunities in Hollywood, or lack thereof, for Black women in particular, and how it was the first in nearly 40 years after Teresa Graves. She spoke about how the show helped create more opportunities for Black actresses in television. Now, the lack of representation in Hollywood is no secret. 

Many talented actors and artists have spent years waiting for opportunities. Washington, who landed the role in Scandal in 2012 and went on to lead the acclaimed series, addressed this issue while revealing a promise she made to herself when the show first began.

During Variety and CNN’s Actors on Actors series, Kerry Washington recalled an interview she gave to Essence, where she spoke about her role in Scandal. The actress remembered that several other Black actresses in the room showed their support for her, even though they also had hoped to land the role. She spoke about how they wanted her to succeed and open up the door to opportunities for the rest.

“It had been, at the time, 40 years since a Black woman had led a network drama, I made a promise to myself that if this show works, I was going to try to create more opportunities for more people,” she told her former co-star Tony Goldwyn. She profoundly noted how the narrow representation was not due to the absence of talent but the absence of opportunity for these women in itself. 

Washington played the role of political crisis manager Olivia Pope in Scandal. The series, which ran for seven seasons from 2012 to 2018, was a massive success. Just as the actress had hoped, her role helped transform representation on television. 

The show followed Olivia Pope as she launched an elite crisis management firm in Washington, D.C. Alongside her team of "gladiators in suits," she tackled scandals and political crises, doing whatever it took to secure a win for her clients. Meanwhile, her character became involved in a forbidden romantic affair with the President of the United States, Fitzgerald Grant, played by Tony Goldwyn. 

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Apart from talking about the show's impact on representation, Washington and Goldwyn also reflected on their characters and their relationship throughout the series.

Scandal ended on a hopeful note for Olivia Pope and Fitzgerald "Fitz" Grant, played by Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn. Years after the series finale, the two actors reflected on their characters and shared their thoughts on whether the couple is still together. Goldwyn said he believes Olivia and Fitz have remained together, explaining his reason behind the thought.

"I feel that what we had at the root of it was very real, and it’s why we could never get away from it — as opposed to being something that was ultimately dysfunctional. I thought ultimately these two people were their answer to each other," he said during the same Variety and CNN’s Actors on Actors series.

Meanwhile, Washington, who is set to star in Innocent Girl, suggested that Olivia and Fitz might be in couples therapy by now. Goldwyn agreed and further went on to discuss Fitz's unwavering support for Olivia. Clearly, the show and the character had a massive impact both on and off the screen.

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What do you think about Kerry Washington's comment on her role in Scandal? Let us know in the comments.