Shonda Rhimes changed everything with a white coat and a glass of red wine. When Scandal wrapped its seven-season run in 2018, it didn't just leave a hole in Thursday night television; it left a massive question mark over the futures of its stars. You’ve probably seen Kerry Washington popping up in high-end Hulu dramas or spotted Tony Goldwyn playing the "bad dad" in a blockbuster biopic, but the actual trajectory of the Scandal cast is way more complex than just "moving on to the next gig."
It’s about the "Shondaland Curse"—or lack thereof. Some actors from the series hit an absolute ceiling, while others used the political thriller as a literal launchpad into directing and producing.
Kerry Washington didn't just stay an actress
Kerry Washington was the first Black woman to lead a network drama in nearly 40 years. That’s a lot of weight. After playing Olivia Pope, she basically decided she was done letting other people hold the reins. She launched Simpson Street, her production company. If you watched Little Fires Everywhere or Reasonable Doubt, you're seeing her DNA all over the screen, even when she’s not in front of the camera. She’s obsessed with "complicated" women.
Honestly? It’s working. She isn't just "the lady from that gladiator show" anymore. She’s a mogul. You see her at the Met Gala, and she’s not just a guest; she’s a power player. She also published her memoir, Thicker than Water, which peeled back layers on her personal life that she kept guarded for years during the height of the show’s fame. It was raw. It was unexpected. It was very "non-Olivia" of her.
The curious case of Tony Goldwyn and the "Fitz" legacy
Tony Goldwyn has a face that screams "American Authority Figure." It’s kinda his curse. After playing Fitzgerald Grant III, he didn’t just sit around waiting for another presidential role. He went back to his roots: directing. Did you know he directed Conviction? He’s been behind the lens as much as he’s been in front of it.
Lately, he’s had a massive resurgence. He joined the cast of Law & Order as District Attorney Nicholas Baxter, replacing the legendary Sam Waterston. That is a massive mantle to pick up. He also showed up in Oppenheimer as Gordon Gray. He’s become the go-to guy for "serious man in a suit who might be making a terrible moral decision." It fits. It’s exactly what we loved (and hated) about Fitz.
From B613 to the stage and screen
Let’s talk about Joe Morton. Rowan Pope was arguably the most terrifying father in TV history. "You have to be twice as good to get half as much." That line still rings in the ears of every fan. Since the show ended, Morton hasn't slowed down. He’s been a staple in the DC Extended Universe as Silas Stone (Cyborg's dad) and won a literal Emmy for his guest role on Scandal while the show was still airing. He's a titan of the theater, too.
Then there’s Guillermo Díaz. Huck was the heart and the horror of the show.
Guillermo is a bit of an enigma. He’s popped up in Law & Order: Organized Crime, but he also spends a lot of time doing advocacy work for the LGBTQ+ community. He’s stayed close with Katie Lowes (Quinn Perkins). They actually have a podcast together called Unpacking the Toolbox. If you want the real, unfiltered gossip about what happened on set—like who forgot their lines or how they handled the crazy plot twists—that’s where you go. It’s surreal to hear "Huck" and "Quinn" just chatting about their kids and craft services.
The Gladiators who stayed in the spotlight
- Bellamy Young (Mellie Grant): She went from the "scorned wife" to the most sympathetic character on the show. She’s been doing Prodigal Son and a lot of musical theater. She’s got a voice that’ll melt you.
- Jeff Perry (Cyrus Beene): The man is a masterclass in acting. He co-founded the Steppenwolf Theatre Company. After Scandal, he stayed in the Shondaland orbit for a bit but has mostly returned to his first love: the stage. He also appeared in Inventing Anna, proving Shonda Rhimes keeps her favorites close.
- Scott Foley (Jake Ballard): Team Jake fans, rejoice. He’s been busy with The Big Leap and The Girls on the Bus. He’s still the quintessential leading man, even if he’s not currently murdering people for a secret government agency.
Why the Scandal cast still dominates your feed
The show ended years ago, but the Scandal cast remains relevant because they were part of a cultural shift. This wasn't just a soap opera; it was the "live-tweeting" pioneer. The actors were encouraged to interact with fans in real-time, which built a loyalty that most shows today would kill for.
They’re also incredibly tight-knit. You’ll see them all over each other’s Instagram feeds. It wasn’t a "work friends" situation; it was a "life friends" situation. When Cornelius Smith Jr. (Marcus Walker) or Darby Stanchfield (Abby Whelan) starts a new project, the rest of the crew is the first to scream about it on social media. It feels genuine.
The reality of "The Fixer" lifestyle
Living in the shadow of a hit like this is hard. Joshua Malina (David Rosen) jokes about it constantly. He’s basically built a second career out of being the guy who was on The West Wing and Scandal. He’s incredibly self-aware. That’s the vibe of this entire group. They know they hit lightning in a bottle.
They also know the industry has changed. When Scandal started, network TV was king. By the time it ended, streaming had taken over. The cast had to adapt. Some went to Netflix, others stayed in the procedural world, and a few went back to indie film.
What you can actually learn from their careers
Watching how this ensemble navigated the end of a massive hit provides a blueprint for career pivots. They didn't all try to be "the next big thing." They leaned into their niches.
- Diversify your skills. Like Kerry Washington, don't just do the job; own the company that creates the job.
- Maintain your network. The Scandal stars literally still help each other get cast in new roles.
- Lean into your brand. Tony Goldwyn knows he looks like a politician. He uses it to get into rooms with directors like Christopher Nolan.
- Stay human. The Unpacking the Toolbox podcast works because it strips away the Hollywood gloss.
If you're looking to keep up with the Scandal cast, the best move is to follow their production companies rather than just their IMDb pages. That’s where the real power is shifting. Check out Simpson Street’s upcoming slate or look into the theater projects Jeff Perry is producing in Chicago. The "gladiators" are still in the arena; they’ve just changed the rules of the game.