For seven seasons, the show “Scandal” has given us a revealing insight into the Washington, D.C. political scene. Created and produced by Shonda Rhimes, the show has gone on to earn seven Emmy nominations and two Emmy awards.

“Scandal” revolves around the life of Olivia Pope, a crisis management expert who can weather any political public storm. The problem is her relationships can also sometimes get in the way of her job. Nonetheless, her team of gladiators is always around to help get the job done.

On the show, actress Kerry Washington portrays Olivia. Meanwhile, she is joined by Tony Goldwyn, Bellamy Young, Katie Lowes, Scott Foley, Guillermo Diaz, Joe Morton, Jeff Perry, and Darby Stanchfield. The show may have aired its last episode back in 2018, but we bet there are still some secrets behind the making of "Scandal" that you don’t know about.

15  Olivia Pope Was Inspired By Real-Life Crisis Expert Judy Smith

Judy Smith
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Just like on the show, Smith is the founder and CEO of the Smith & Company. It is described as a “full-service crisis management and communications firm,” according to its website. Prior to putting up her own company, Smith also served as Deputy Pres Secretary and Special Assistant to former President George H.W. Bush.

14 There Were Initial Plans To Cast A White Woman As Olivia Pope And The Network Wanted Connie Britton

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Rhimes told The Hollywood Reporter, “I didn't know that there hadn't been a drama series with a leading black woman for 37 years. When the show got picked up [to pilot], I got a phone call from somebody who said, ‘This would be the perfect show for Connie Britton.’ I said, ‘It would be, except Olivia Pope is black.'”

13 The Network Originally Wanted To Remove The Storyline About Fitz and Olivia’s Affair

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Rhimes recalled, “Paul Lee [then-head of ABC] read the script and called me to say, "We're picking this up." But some other people asked if we could remove the part where she is having an affair with the president.” However, Rhimes would not budge. And as you know, the storyline of Olivia and Fitz’s affair became prominent on the show.

12 Kerry Washington Beat Out Anika Noni Rose And Jill Scott During The Audition

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Casting director Linda Lowy told The Hollywood Reporter, “We tested Kerry, Jill Scott and Anika Noni Rose. It was Kerry from the moment I took her to meet Shonda.” Rhimes added, “She could talk Washington more than I could talk Washington. She was different than what I originally envisioned.” Rhimes also noted that “she’s tiny, cute, pretty and younger.” Hence, “people would underestimate her.”

Related: 20 TV Shows To Watch If You Miss Scandal

11 Despite Its Stories, The Cast Never Shot In Washington, D.C.

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During a panel conversation, Perry admitted, “It’s the sad reality.” Nonetheless, he also remarked, “It’s the cooperation between the set people and the CGI people that’s kind of amazing.” And while the cast doesn’t travel to D.C., the crew would make the trip to shoot footage throughout the area. This would be used as backdrops on their green screen.

10 Kerry Washington Didn’t Enjoy Kissing Scott Foley Or Tony Goldwyn On The Show

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While on “The Ellen DeGeneres Show” with the rest of the cast, Washington revealed, “I don't enjoy either one. I think they're both lovely men." Meanwhile, Goldwyn remarked, “I covered my ears at exactly the right time. I actually didn't hear that.” And when Foley told him what Washington said, Goldwyn covered his ears again while saying, “Blah, blah, blah.”

9 Scriptwriting For The Show Went On Till The Very Last Second Before The Table Read

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Rhimes revealed, “Literally the scripts are hot from the copy machine because sometimes I’m typing up until the very last second or some writer’s typing up until the very last second. We’re late. Sometimes a lot of magic happens because we’re late and sometimes it’s kind of amazing that what comes out works so well in that way.”

8 The Cast Only Got To See The Script A Day Before Filming

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According to Goldwyn, “We know the show so well that reading it the day before you start shooting it, you have a visceral reaction like an audience does to what the show is and what’s happening and you can then work incredibly fast because you have this very powerful emotional response to the episode…”

7 To Help Him Portray Huck’s Character, Guillermo Diaz Would Spend Time Alone

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Diaz told reporters, “I just sort of go off by myself, spend time alone when I'm shooting those scenes, and just get into my own quiet, loner head space to be able to get into Huck's skin.” He added, “I just kind of tap into something dark within myself, and it's hard to explain.”

Related: 20 Iconic TV Characters That Were Almost Played By Different Actors

6 All Cast Members Say The Show’s Episode “Seven Fifty-Two” Is Their Favorite

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It aired way back in April 2013. In the episode, Olivia lies unconscious in the hospital and Fitz decides to stay by her bedside. Meanwhile, Huck recalls how he became the man that he is and how he also met Olivia. George Newbern and Joe Morton also star in this episode.

5 Huck’s Distinct Soft Voice Came Out Spontaneously

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Diaz revealed, “I remember the first scene I shot was in the bathroom with Quinn, and I remember I started talking that way, and our director went back and talked to Shonda and Betsy and said, 'Look, he's acting a little bit off,' but they came back and said, 'Yeah, it's cool.' It just kinda happened.”

4 Tony Goldwyn And Kerry Washington Had A Serious Discussion About The President Going To War For One Woman

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Washington recalled, “Tony and I had a serious conversation about that...because at a time in this world, we were begging the media to pay attention to hundreds of black girls that were missing, and that became the [start] of black lives matter..” Meanwhile, Goldwyn remarked, “She was definitely not" appreciative of the President's efforts.”

3 Henry Ian Cusick’s Cameo Was A Surprise To The Cast

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During a panel this was revealed, “They didn't have his name in the script. It meant so much to us [that he returned].” Meanwhile, Washington recalled, “I remember saying, 'Let's not even talk about it,' because we felt this really unbelievable homecoming. We said, 'Let's not act, let's just be in the truth of this moment.”

Related: We Totally Forgot These Actors Guest Starred On Grey’s Anatomy!

2 Tony Goldwyn Said The Hardest Scene To Shoot Was The One Where His Son Died

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Goldwyn revealed, “The episode where my son died, and then when I collapsed in the Oval Office and Mellie holds me. That was the hardest.” As you know, Goldwyn’s character watched his son drop dead while onstage with the rest of the Grant family. He was assassinated on orders from Olivia’s father, Rowan.

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As you know, Olivia’s team are known as ‘gladiators.’ Now, this term wasn’t inspired by Judy Smith. Instead, the idea reportedly came from a fan. Apparently, a fan tweeted to Washington and said, “we can call ourselves Gladiators.” The show has adopted the idea since then.

Next: Shondaland: Ranking All Of Shonda Rhimes’ TV Shows From Worst To Best