Back in February, ABC renewed its entire “TGIT” (Thank Goodness It’s Thursday) lineup, with its hit showsGrey’s Anatomy,ScandalandHow to Get Away With Murderall returning for their 14th, seventh and fourth seasons, respectively. Today we have word that the TGIT lineup will be down one show after next season, withScandalcalling it quits after Season 7. This new report reveals that series creatorShonda Rhimesmade the decision to end the show after Season 7, and ABC respected her wishes, with the network expected to make an official announcement during their upfront presentation next week.
TV Linebroke the news today, which comes with just three episodes left inScandalSeason 6, the hour-long episode airing tomorrow, Thursday, May 11, and the two-part finale on Thursday, May 18. Shonda Rhimes created all three shows that air during ABC’s Thursday night drama block, which has also come to be known as “Shondaland,” and althoughGrey’s Anatomyis still going strong after 13 seasons, the writer-producer said in an earlier interview that theintense high stakesofScandalwill mean the show will not have as long of a lifespan. Here’s what she had to say in an NPR interview.
“I feel like there is a finite amount ofScandalto be told. So I know what the end ofScandalwill be, and I feel really good about that. And I can see where the end point is. And I don’t think I’m going to change that.”
Scandaldidn’t originally start out as a huge hit, and many thought it would be cancelled after the lackluster first season, butScandal Season 2was ultimately given the green light. Season 2 posted an average of 7.53 million viewers per episode and a 2.5 rating in the 18-49 demographic in Season 2, with the third season increasing to 9.11 million viewers an episode and a 3.0 rating in 18-49. The show hit its peak with theScandal Season 4premiere, which drew in 11.9 million viewers and 3.9 rating in 18-49, with the season as a whole averaging 9.19 million viewers and a 2.88 rating. Last season showed the first decline, averaging 7.17 million viewers with a 2.05 rating. This season, with just three episodes left,Scandalis averaging 5.69 million viewers an episode and a 1.46 demo rating.
Everyone has secrets, and Olivia Pope has dedicated her life to protecting and defending the public images of the nation’s elite by keeping those secrets under wraps. Pope’s team is at the top of its game when it comes to getting the job done for its 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.Scandalstars Emmy, and Golden Globe, nominatedKerry Washingtonas Olivia Pope, Guillermo Diaz as Huck, Darby Stanchfield as Abby Whelan, Katie Lowes as Quinn Perkins, Tony Goldwyn as President Fitzgerald Grant, Jeff Perry as Cyrus Beene, Joshua Malina as David Rosen, Bellamy Young as First Lady Mellie Grant, Scott Foley as Jake Ballard, Portia De Rossi as Elizabeth North, Joe Morton as Rowan Pope and Cornelius Smith Jr. as Marcus Walker. The series is created by Shonda Rhimes (Grey’s Anatomy,How to Get Away with Murder,The Catch). Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers (Grey’s Anatomy,How to Get Away with Murder,The Catch), Mark Fish and Tom Verica are executive producers.Scandalis produced by ABC Studios.
