Season 5

Template:Infobox season

Shonda Rhimes posted on twitter on May 8, 2015 that ABC ordered a Fifth season of Scandal ^[1]. Horray gladiator and fans we get another season of the "OMG moments".

About

The season continues the story of Olivia Pope's crisis management firm, Olivia Pope & Associates, and its staff, as well as staff at the White House in Washington D.C. Season five has eleven series regulars, all returning from the previous season, out of which eight are part of the original cast of ten regulars from the first season and two new regulars were added. ^[2]

Season News

Portia de Rossi will be returning to Season Five as a Series Regular ^[3]
Season 5 will premiere Thursday, September 24 9|8c on ABC ^[4]
The Scandal crew went back to work on Monday July 6, 2015 to prepare for the first episode of Season 5
Cornelius Smith Jr. will be returning as a Series Regular in Season 5 ^[5]
The first table read of Season 5 will be 14, July 2015^[6]
Season 5 started shooting on 16, July 2015
The first episode of Season 5 is called "Heavy is the Head" ^[7]
Mia Maestro will be joining Scandal as a recurring character in Season 5, her role is being kept under wraps. ^[8]
The Season 5 Fall Finale episode is titled "Baby, It's Cold Outside". ^[9]
Ricardo Antonio Chavira is joining Season Five as a a recurring character^[10]
The Scandal Season Five DVD will be released August 23rd, 2016 (USA).

Season Overview

Everyone has secrets and Olivia Pope has dedicated her life to protecting and defending the public images of the elite by keeping those secrets under wraps. Pope and her team are at the top of their game when it comes to getting the job done for their clients, but it becomes apparent that these "gladiators in suits," who specialize in fixing the lives of other people, have trouble fixing those closest at hand -- their own.

Cast

Main Cast

Supporting Cast

Guest Cast

Jon Tenney as Andrew Nichols

Season Recurring Cast

Mia Maestro as Elise
John Prosky as Senator Stanley Gibson
Rose Abdoo as Senator Linda Moskowitz
Romy Rosemont as Patty Snell
Annabeth Gish as Lillian Forrester
Gregg Henry as Hollis Doyle
Ricardo Antonio Chavira as Francisco Vargas
Danny Pino as Alex Vargas
Joelle Carter as Vanessa Moss

Episodes

01 | 70

"Heavy is the Head" September 24, 2015

Directed by: Tom Verica - Written by: Shonda Rhimes

Olivia and Fitz are back together again and enjoying every scandalous moment together while Cyrus, Mellie and Huck are all still dealing with the aftermath of helping Command. Meanwhile, when a visit from the Queen of Caldonia and her family turns into a tragedy, Olivia is hired to make sure the Royal family’s private life stays private.

02 | 71

"Yes" October 1, 2015

Directed by: Tony Goldwyn - Written by: Heather Mitchell

Meanwhile, back at the White House, Fitz is determined to find who’s responsible for causing the latest turn of events, and Abby receives unexpected guidance from a master of damage control as she struggles to catch a break.

03 | 72

"Paris is Burning" October 8, 2015

Directed by: Jann Turner - Written by: Matt Byrne

Olivia and Fitz face some very big consequences and Mellie brings in an old friend to make sure she gets her way. Meanwhile, Abby shows Olivia she is fully capable of handling working at the White House.

04 | 73

"Dog-Whistle Politics" October 15, 2015

Directed by: Zetna Fuentes - Written by: Mark Fish

Eager to get answers, Jake unexpectedly crosses paths with someone he thought he’d never see again. Meanwhile, Huck and Quinn recruit a familiar face to help smooth over the media storm surrounding Olivia, and Fitz quickly finds out the true cost of mercy when he discovers not everyone fully supports his actions.

05 | 74

"You Got Served" October 22, 2015

Directed by: Kevin Bray - Written by: Zahir McGhee

Olivia knows she can’t handle this latest storm on her own and calls for help from an unexpected source. Meanwhile, Mellie and Cyrus continue to pull strings from the sidelines and Jake is still occupied by a ghost from his past

06 | 75

"Get Out of Jail, Free" October 29, 2015

Directed by: Chandra Wilson - Written by: Chris Van Dusen

Fitz and Olivia are presented with a shocking plan that might just make all of their troubles go away, and Mellie is put through the ringer when confronted about her troubled marriage. Meanwhile, the Gladiators continue to defend Olivia, and Susan Ross turns to David for advice.

07 | 76

"Even the Devil Deserves a Second Chance" November 5, 2015

Directed by: Olivier Bokelberg - Written by: Raamla Mohamed

While Fitz is focused on winning back the America people, he makes a shocking discovery. Meanwhile OPA take a new client, but Olivia seems preoccupied keeping her own secrets and Elizabeth North sets her sights on a new agenda.

08 | 77

"Rasputin" November 12, 2015

Directed by: John Terlesky - Written by: Paul William Davies

In the midst of Fitz negotiating a historic peace deal, Olivia must rely on her instincts when a guest of the The White House discloses powerful intel. Meanwhile, Jake uses Huck’s help to get closer to his target, and Cyrus takes matters into his own hands when he realizes he’s been shut out of the inner circle.

09 | 78

"Baby, It's Cold Outside" November 19, 2015

Directed by: Tom Verica - Written by: Mark Wilding

Olivia is feeling more and more frustrated as she takes on “First Lady” type responsibilities at the White House. Meanwhile, Mellie proves just how powerful she can be and Jake and Huck continue the hunt for Rowan.

10 | 79

"It's Hard Out Here for a General" February 11, 2016

Directed by: Tom Verica - Written by: Severiano Canales

It's been six months since Olivia and Fitz have broken up, and they are both handling their newfound freedom in very different ways. Meanwhile, the Pope and Associates team take on a case that could lead to a national crisis.

11 | 80

"The Candidate" February 18, 2016

Directed by: Allison Liddi Brown - Written by: Alison Schapker

Mellie seeks out Olivia’s help but may not be prepared for what entails and Liz tries to convince Susan Ross to run for the presidency. Meanwhile, Abby and Cyrus are at odds when a profile piece on Fir comes into questions.

12 | 81

"Wild Card" February 25, 2016

Directed by: Allison Liddi-Brown and Tom Verica - Written by: Mark Fish

While Fitz is preoccupied with his own interests, Cyrus begins to orchestrate his next master plan, and Elizabeth North uses David to mastermind a plan of her own. Meanwhile, Olivia continues to question what exactly Jake is planning in his new role as head of the NSA.

13 | 82

"The Fish Rots from the Head" March 10, 2016

Directed by: Sharat Raju - Written by: Heather Mitchell

Olivia and the team take on some embattled Secret Service agents. Meanwhile, Abby has her hands full trying to keep Fitz in line, and Jake begins to reveal a few secrets of his own.

14 | 83

"I See You" March 17, 2016

Directed by: Paris Barclay - Written by: Matt Byrne

Olivia continues to spy on Jake while the gladiators have to fend for themselves. Meanwhile, Susan and Mellie are feeling the pressure as their campaigns heat up; Abby begins to question Cyrus’ motives; and a blast from the past surprises everyone.

15 | 84

"Pencils Down" March 24, 2016

Directed by: Regina King - Written by: Chris Van Dusen

When Mellie makes a very public faux pas, Olivia must decide how far she’ll go to fix it. Meanwhile, the Gladiators learn valuable intel about Jake’s new love interest, and David Rosen seeks advice about his love triangle with Liz North and Susan Ross.

16 | 85

"The Miseducation of Susan Ross" March 31, 2016

Directed by: Scott Foley - Written by: Raamla Mohamed

Following the first Republican debate, Olivia is presented with damaging information about an opponent and enlists the Gladiators to verify its authenticity. Meanwhile, David deals with fallout from his dating life, and Cyrus continues to work on his own political agenda.

17 | 86

"Thwack!" April 7, 2016

Directed by: Tony Goldwyn - Written by: Zahir McGhee

The election is in full swing, which means everyone is doing their best to take down their opponents, but when a potential leak threatens several candidates, they have to work together to keep their secrets safe. Boundaries are pushed and lines are crossed as we find out just how far some people are willing to go to protect themselves

18 | 87

"Till Death Do Us Part" April 21, 2016

Directed by: Steph Green - Written by: Paul William Davies

As Olivia deals with the aftermath of what she’s done, she finally finds out what exactly Jake and Rowan are plotting. But with their plans already in motion, Olivia is forced to make a gut-wrenching attempt to try and stop it. Meanwhile, in flashbacks, we learn more about Jake’s past and how he first got involved with B6-13.

19 | 88

"Buckle Up" April 28, 2016

Directed by: Olivier Bokelberg - Written by: Michelle Lirtzman

As Mellie, Susan and Hollis prepare to meet with Florida’s governor and vie for her influential endorsement, a spin war between Abby and Olivia threatens to keep their candidates grounded. Meanwhile, Cyrus is faced with a decision that could dramatically alter his future.

20 | 89

"Trump Card" May 5, 2016

Directed by: Jann Turner - Written by: Severiano Canales and Jess Brownell

Olivia and Abby have to put their differences aside and work together to try and take Hollis Doyle down. Meanwhile, Edison realizes he may have made a deal with the devil as Rowan and Jake continue to try and pull the strings behind his campaign

21 | 90

"That's My Girl" May 12, 2016

Directed by: Tom Verica - Written by: Shonda Rhimes and Mark Wilding

As Mellie, Susan and Hollis prepare to meet with Florida’s governor and vie for her influential endorsement, a spin war between Abby and Olivia threatens to keep their candidates grounded. Meanwhile, Cyrus is faced with a decision that could dramatically alter his future.

DVD

Main article: Scandal DVDs

The Scandal Season 4 was released in region one August 2016 it will be then released in region two October 24, 2016. To celebrate the release of 'Scandal: The Complete Fifth Season' on DVD, TV Line released an exclusive first look at the laugh-packed blooper reel.