Scandal Season 6 Rumors of Kerry Washington Leaving the Show Sound Absurd from All Angles, Critics Note, And More

Kerry Washington, the actress who plays the lead character Olivia Pope in the American political thriller drama TV series “Scandal” on ABC, just gave birth recently to a healthy baby boy, which she and husband Nnamdi Asomugha named as Caleb Kelechi.

Her pregnancy and subsequent baby delivery were the primary reasons why Season 6 of “Scandal” intentionally missed its regular fall premiere. The TV series is slated to premiere on ABC in January next year, six episodes less than its normal 22-episode order.

The push-back in its release date and the reduction in the number of episodes have spawned speculations that the show is already on the chopping block, despite its superb ratings.

Subsequently, there have been rumors that went around saying that Kerry Washington might be leaving the show after Season 6 to be able to spend more time with her two children, Isabelle Amarachi, and newly-born Caleb Kelechi, reports Headlines & Global News.

However, it would not take a genius to deduce that the very reason why the release date of “Scandal” Season 6 was delayed intentionally is because showrunner Shonda Rhimes and the writers want to make sure that Kerry Washington will already be on board by the time that the show airs on ABC.

It is obvious right from the start that without Olivia Pope, “Scandal” means nothing. It is very similar to another Shonda Rhimes TV series “Grey’s Anatomy” featuring Ellen Pompeo as Meredith Grey. Cast members have come and gone over the years including McDreamy himself, Derek Shepherd, played by Patrick Dempsey, but for as long as Meredith Grey remains, the show would go on.

Good at what she does

It’s really hard to imagine “Scandal” moving on without Kerry Washington as Olivia Pope because the actress is really good at what she does.

As a matter of fact, she has been nominated twice for Primetime Emmy Award, one at the Screen Actors Guild Award, and even a Golden Globe Award nomination because of her Olivia Pope role in “Scandal.” The TV show would not just throw those down the drain.

Moreover, canceling the show with so many loose ends and unanswered questions remaining will surely disgruntle the show’s followers.

And after the effort that has been put into ensuring that viewers of the show have been kept on the edges of their seats, a premature and abrupt cancellation of the show will not be in the best interest of the show, the cast members or the network itself.

Some speculated that, at the very least, another actress might be hired, or the episodes filmed for Season 6 might be shorter or fewer.

It looks like the show would be taking the last option rather than go into an uncharted territory by having a different actress portray the role of Olivia Pope.

Fans would be devastated

In addition, fans would surely be disgruntled if and when Olivia Pope and Fitz, played by Tony Goldwyn, did not end up in each other’s arms, reports Game & Guide.

They are actually hopeful that after Fitz steps down as the president of the United States, he will have more time to win Olivia Pope’s affection back.

Although it is six episodes less than the usual episode order, Season 6 of “Scandal” on ABC promises to be a humdinger and would surely ensure that viewers would be captivated by its plotline.

There are reports going around saying that the upcoming sixth season of “Scandal” will be a bloodbath season as Olivia Pope will finally stand up against Cyrus Beene, played by Jeff Perry.

There are also rumors saying that Scott Foley might no longer be reprising his role of Jake Ballard in the upcoming Season 6 of the very popular show which seems unlikely since the TV series involves the US election where Jake is a vice presidential candidate.