- ABC wanted Connie Britton as Olivia Pope, but Shonda wanted Livia to be black to honor Judy Smith, the inspiration behind the character.
- Scandal was supposed to be about Olivia Pope but then it became the Olitz show.
- Nobody wanted to play the president Fitz because he was not the LEAD.
- Kerry wanted to play Olivia Pope because she had never seen a black woman at the center of a television drama.
- They tested Jill Scott, Anika Noni Rose and Kerry for the role of Olivia Pope. It went to Kerry.
- Bellamy Young (Mellie) was supposed to be in only 3 epsiodes because Fitz was supposed to divorce her but Shonda liked her, so her role was expanded.
- Tony Goldwing (Fitz) lost a role in a ABC drama (Grace) to Eric Roberts, then Shonda offered him the role of President Fitz.
- Scott Foley (Joke) was offered the role of Stephen (played by Henry Ian Cusick) because Shonda created the role for him, but ABC said NO, then when Foley was jobless again, Shonda offered him the role of Joke, the love interest of Livia.
- Dan Bucaktinsky (James) read the part for Huck and David Rosen. He got the role Cyrus' hubby.
- Darby Stanchfield (Abby) was the last one cast. Abby was supposed to be 10-15 years younger than the actress.
- Henry Ian Cusick (Stephen) was cast because ABC wanted someone with international appeal.
- Colombus Short (Harrison) 's contract was not renewed because of his messy personal life : bad performance on screen, coming late at work, awkward atmosphere with the cast, ...
- Shonda entertained the idea of a B613 spinoff, but of course it never happened.
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