‘Scandal’ Star Kerry Washington and EP Shonda Rhimes on What’s Ahead for Olitz

When Scandal returns fans may be surprised to learn that Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) and her long-time married man-toy President Fitzgerald Grant (Tony Goldwyn) will be taking their relationship public.

The two make up the central forbidden romance in the show, but for the first time will try and be in a relationship the legit way, now that Fitz has kicked his wife Mellie (Bellamy Young) out of the White House (and will be asking for a divorce as seen in promos) and Olivia has allowed herself to get to a point where she accepts her feelings for the POTUS.

The trio involved in the love triangle, along with the woman responsible for creating it all talked to Entertainment Weekly about the change and what it means for everyone involved.

Shonda on deciding to let Olitz to happen

“I found myself really inspired by the idea of what would really happen if we let everything change for real. Now we’re in season 5 and I’m thinking, ‘why not?’. I think Olivia has come around. A lot of last season was about healing all of her damage and getting her to a place where she can see the two of them together. … When we last saw her, she was standing on the balcony, and Fitz says to her, ‘What happens now?’ and she says, ‘Whatever we want.’ It’s a big ‘whatever we want.’”

Kerry on Olivia allowing Olitz to happen

I’m excited to see what happens when Olivia follows her own rules and has to practice what she preaches. From season 1, she’s always said to clients, ‘You have to tell the truth, that’s the only thing I ask of you.’ But this relationship was always an exception to the rule, which meant there was always a disconnect in what she believed and how she behaved. And so for Olivia to say, ‘I’m done hiding, I’m done lying’ … I’m excited to see what that allows her to discover in her life.”

To see what Bellamy Young (Mellie Grant) and Tony Goldwyn (Fitz) had to say, head on over to EW for the rest of the interview now.

Scandal returns to AMC on Sept. 24 at 9 p.m. ET.

Photo Credit: ABC

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