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 including McDreamy himself, Derek Shepherd, played by Patrick Dempsey, but for as long as Meredith Grey remains, the show would go on.
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, Screen Actors Guild Award, and even a Golden Globe Award 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.
After the effort that has been put into ensuring that viewers of the show will be 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, and the network.
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 first option rather than foray into an uncharted territory by having a different actress portray the role of Olivia Pope.