‘Scandal’ Season 6 Plans Revealed: Kerry Washington Takes Social Media Break As News Is Announced!
The official plans for Scandal Season 6 have been announced by ABC at the same time Kerry Washington shares she is taking a social media break.
ABC has finally put fans’ minds to rest as to what will happen to Scandal Season 6 since Washington is pregnant with her second child. The alphabet network revealed today that the hit show will not come back until mid-season during the 16/17 television season.
Sorry, #Gladiators, you’ll have to wait even longer for more #Scandal: https://t.co/PnLhmukAvR???? pic.twitter.com/G1M9Fe3YGf
— Entertainment Weekly (@EW) May 17, 2016
Although ABC did not give an official premiere date, the mid-season announcement means that Scandal fans will be waiting until January, February, and maybe even March for the Shonda Rhimes show to return. Along with the news that Scandal Season 6 will be delayed came the news that the season will also be shortened. There will only be 16 episodes, as opposed to the normal 22 episodes, just like when Kerry was pregnant with her daughter during Season 3.
In an interesting turn of events, just as the plans for Scandal Season 6 were revealed by ABC, Kerry Washington decided to take a social media break. The actress took to Instagram earlier to reveal that she will be taking a hiatus from all social media. The notoriously private star shared a very heartfelt and honest message with her fans.
“It’s time for me to take a teeny break from social media. Feeling called to be a bit more quiet and still. Not sure how long it’ll last but don’t worry, I’ll be back soon enough. This space has become such a community. I’m very grateful. Thank you I’ll be thinking of youz and I’m sending love to you wherever you are… #MermaidGram”
Whether or not the reveal of the plans for Scandal Season 6 had anything to do with Kerry’s social media announcement is unclear. However, one cannot help but notice the timing of both. It goes without saying that Scandal fans are not going to be too thrilled with a shorter season and having to wait until 2017 to see the Gladiators back in action. Maybe Washington just didn’t want to hear all the backlash or maybe she is simply over social media. Only Kerry knows her true reason for saying goodbye to social media for a while.
ABC has announced its plan for Scandal Season 6, and it does not involve Olivia Pope being pregnant like her portrayer, Kerry Washington. Considering that Olivia had an abortion last season and Fitz just found out about it in the finale, the timing for a Pope pregnancy would have been a little ridiculous.
Even though the plan for the hit ABC show has been shared, there is still a lot of unknowns about the upcoming Scandal season. For example, will Olivia have less airtime due to Kerry’s pregnancy? Will the show be hiding the pregnancy, or will it not start shooting until Washington has had the baby and taken her maternity leave? Also, will the storylines be altered now that the season is shorter and starting later? These are all questions that Shonda Rhimes will have to figure out. Thankfully, Rhimes is a pro at working around actresses’ being pregnant — Ellen Pompeo and Jessica Capshaw can attest to that.
Scandal Season 6 plans include a shorter season and a later start. The news was revealed early today right about the same time that Kerry Washington announced a social media break. Neither news is great, but the good thing is that Fitz, Jake, Melle, Olivia, and the rest of the gang will be back for another amazing season.
What do you think about ABC’s plans for Scandal Season 6? Do you think that Washington taking a break from social media has anything to do with the Scandal news? Share your thoughts in the comments section.
[Photo by Matt Winkelmeyer/Stringer/Getty Images]
