Scandal Season 5 wrapped last Thursday with the presidential candidates and their running mates announced; however, viewers likely find out what happens next until 2017. Season 6 of Scandal is now scheduled to premiere during the spring mid-season instead of the fall, in the wake of actress Kerry Washington's second pregnancy, Entertainment Weekly reported Tuesday.
Typically, Scandal premieres in late September. However, by the time the fall season comes, Washington may be heavily pregnant or may have just given birth, which may hinder the logistics of the show. Clearly, show creator Shonda Rhimes does not want to incorporate Washington’s pregnancy into Season 6. With the storyline of Scandal leaning toward a fierce political battle, it is likely not for time for Olivia Pope to be thinking about motherhood.
Washington was pregnant during the filming of Season 3 of Scandal with her daughter, Isabelle Amarachi. The pregnancy was incorporated into the storyline of the show. During Season 3, Washington’s pregnancy was hidden with large jackets and with the actress standing behind lamps and other objects. Season 3 of Scandal was also cut short from 22 episodes to 18. It is possible viewers may also see the coming Season 6 cut short, due to its late premiere.
Season 6 of Scandal will follow Olivia Pope in the midst of running Mellie Grant’s Republican presidential campaign after forcing Jake Ballard to be Mellie’s running mate. Meanwhile, Cyrus Beane has now signed on as the running mate for Francisco Vargas’ Democratic campaign for president.
Other popular ABC shows including Grey’s Anatomy and How To Get Away With Murder premiere in the fall in their respective 8 p.m. and 9 p.m. time slots. A new show called Notorious will take the place of Scandal at 9 p.m., according to EW . Scandal will premiere in the spring alongside The Catch, The Bachelor and American Crime.
