Subscribe
HipHopWired Featured Video
CLOSE

Scandal is pretty much on fire at this point. It’s a ratings smash, Shonda Rhimes brings in more money for ABC than any  other writer/creator on the network, and Kerry Washington earned her first ever Emmy nomination early Thursday (July 18).

Washington, who plays crisis fixer and mistress, Olivia Pope, scores the praising nod for Best Lead Actress in a Drama Series. She is also the first Black actress to be nominated in her category since Cicely Tyson, in  1995.

The newlywed is one of only five non-White actors nominated with 96 total nominees and if things go well at the awards show in September, she could be the first Black actress to ever win. “I feel really excited and proud to live in a world where a show that embodies so much diversity on so many levels, because our show is so diverse with regard to race and ethnicity and gender and sexual orientation, that a show that really celebrates inclusivity is able to be such a success both in the U.S. and overseas,” Washington said. “That’s something that I’m really proud to be a part of, and I’m proud to be a citizen in a world where that’s possible.”

The Rhimes-created series received another nomination for Dan Bucatinsky, who plays journalist and husband to character Cyrus Bean recognized for Outstanding Guest Star.

Scandal will return to ABC with season three on Oct. 3 and will air on Thurday nights. BET recently announced a deal to air the drama in syndication.

Photo: ABC