Kerry Washington Dishes On 'Scandal'

Just because season one of ABC's Scandal, created by Shonda Rhimes — the brain behind Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice — wrapped up in May, doesn't mean that people aren't still talking about star Kerry Washington's Olivia Pope and her extraordinary talents as a political "fixer" in the crisis management industry.

The first season of Scandal gets released on Blu-ray and DVD today, and the collection offers special bonus clips that talk about the chemistry between Washington and her costar Tony Goldwyn, who plays President Fitzgerald "Fitz" Grant, while also offering some insight into what fans can expect in season two.

"One of the things I really like about Olivia is her contradictions," says Washington of her Scandal character. "It's really challenging and fun for me as an actor to play somebody who, in her professional life, she's completely put-together — she's sophisticated and smart and in charge. But in her personal life she's vulnerable and confused and torn. And it became very clear for me, early on, that Olivia is usually the smartest, most sophisticated person in every room."

Behind the scenes, Washington revealed that her love scenes with Goldwyn can be uncomfortable for her as an actor. "That stuff is not fun, at all," Washington told Entertainment Weekly. "Those are private moments. But that's what acting is — it's about ... having the courage to allow your audience into the private moments of your characters' lives. Those are difficult."

The fact that Goldwyn is married with kids doesn't always help. "Anybody who cares about somebody who has to do scenes like that [has to be] really compassionate. Tony's very in love wtih his wife and his daughters, who I've met. It's all good!"

Scandal will return to ABC for a second season later this year. Watch the full Washington video here.

For more on Kerry Washington and Scandal:

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