ABC's "Scandal" does not return until September 24 but when it does, Olivia Pope may have a new role in the White House. Series creator Shonda Rhimes previously said that she was always interested in writing a Presidential divorce and after the events of last season that just may be where the show is headed.
During ABC's press tour panel, Matt Webb Mitovich asked Rhimes if she was still interested in possibly writing a storyline about Pope as First Lady, according to TV Line. "We don't comment on future storylines," she flatly responded.
However, the producer and show runner later stated that she thought the "concept is intriguing," adding, "That's all I'll say."
Rhimes said Season five of "Scandal" would mark the "reconstitution of the gladiators." Last season the show's central gladiator concept was sidelined so Olivia Pope could heal after she was kidnapped.
"The Gladiators did gladiate," Rhimes said of Season four, according to TV Line. "But they gladiated on a different scale and a different level and the Gladiators scattered."
Over the past couple of seasons Pope lost the character of Abby to the White House and her longtime friend and gladiator captain Harrison died.
"A lot of times it was just Huck and Quinn gladiating by themselves, and that wasn't the same dynamic," Rhimes said.
A new gladiator joined the ranks of the team in season five, reported the Los Angeles Times. Rhimes stated that this person was someone the viewers had seen before. Rumors suggested that Cornelius Smith Jr's character of Marcus Walker could be the new gladiator. The actor was made a series regular for season five.
"Scandal" premieres Thursday, Sept. 24 at 9/8c on ABC.
