‘Scandal’ Actor Cornelius Smith Jr. Bumped Up to Series Regular

A Scandal favorite will graduate from a recurring character to a series regular when the show returns for its fifth season.

Cornelius Smith Jr. will return to the show with a bigger role, although details surrounding his promotion and return to the show are being kept hush-hush, Variety confirmed.

Many fans remember Smith’s first appearance in the emotional episode “The Lawn Chair”, which revolved around the wrongful death of a young, black man at the hands of crooked police officers (sound familiar…). Smith’s character Marcus Walker was a community activist who helped Olivia Pope open her eyes and nail the case shut.

He returned needing Olivia’s help, having been framed for the murder of the mayor’s wife, with whom he was having an affair.

Although more details haven’t been revealed, Olivia’s firm Pope and Associates is still in need of a replacement Gladiator for Harrison…and Marcus is a smart cookie. We’re just saying!

If Smith’s face looks familiar but not from Scandal, it’s possible you’ve seen him in Agents of S.H.I.E.L.D., the Lifetime biopic Whitney or All My Children, among other appearances.

Scandal‘s fifth season premieres Thursday, Sept. 24 at 9/8c on ABC.

We’d love to hear your theories surrounding Smith’s return to Scandal in the comments below.

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