See the Cast of ‘Scandal’ Then and Now!
It’s a sad day in ShondaLand — Scandal is coming to an end.
After weeks of speculation, ABC Entertainment President Channing Dungey finally confirmed the dreaded news that the political drama will end next season — and he revealed show creator Shonda Rhimes‘ reason for pulling the plug on the beloved series after seven seasons.
MORE: ‘Scandal’ Will End After Season 7 — What Will the World Do Without Olivia Pope?
![portia de rossi 'scandal' getty images portia de rossi 'scandal' getty images](https://www.closerweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/scandal-cast.jpg?fit=400%2C225&quality=86&strip=all&resize=400%2C225)
MORE: Another ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ Spin-Off Is in the Works at ABC!
“To be honest, I had conversations with Shonda where she has had, for a while, a sense of how she wanted the story to end,” he told Entertainment Weekly.
“We sat and we talked and she said, ‘Look, I really feel like season 7 is where I want to wrap up this story because I always prefer to end a show where you’re feeling on top as opposed to letting things fizzle out,'” he continued. “I do think that audiences, especially fans and Gladiators, who are as loyal to Scandal as they’ve been, are going to want the story to end in the way that Shonda intended to. That was a decision she felt really good about and we support wholeheartedly.”
![scandal olivia fitz scandal olivia fitz](https://www.closerweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/tony-goldwyn-kerry-washington-scandal.jpg?fit=400%2C267&quality=86&strip=all)
It seems like Shonda has a lot to cram into Season 7, especially after the shocking Season 6 finale. And for all the gladiators who are currently behind — don’t worry, because they’re plenty of time to binge watch and catch up on Scandal before the final season begins to air in the fall.
Scroll through the gallery below to see the cast of Scandal then and now!
![Darby stanchfield 2012 2017](https://www.closerweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/darby-stanchfield-2012-2017.jpg?fit=800%2C617&quality=86&strip=all)
Getty
![Columbus short scandal 2012 2017](https://www.closerweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/columbus-short-scandal-2012-2017.jpg?fit=800%2C617&quality=86&strip=all)
Getty Images
![Kerry washington scandal 2012 2017](https://www.closerweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/kerry-washington-scandal-2012-2017.jpg?fit=800%2C617&quality=86&strip=all)
Getty Images
![Bellamy young scandal 2012 2017](https://www.closerweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/bellamy-young-scandal-2012-2017.jpg?fit=800%2C617&quality=86&strip=all)
Getty Images
![Jeff perry scandal 2012 2017](https://www.closerweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/jeff-perry-scandal-2012-2017.jpg?fit=800%2C617&quality=86&strip=all)
Getty Images
![Henry ian cusick 2012 2017](https://www.closerweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/henry-ian-cusick-2012-2017.jpg?fit=800%2C617&quality=86&strip=all)
Getty Images
![Guillermo diaz scandal 2012 2017](https://www.closerweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/guillermo-diaz-scandal-2012-2017.jpg?fit=800%2C617&quality=86&strip=all)
Getty Images
![Joshua malina scandal 2012 2017](https://www.closerweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/joshua-malina-scandal-2012-2017.jpg?fit=800%2C617&quality=86&strip=all)
Getty Images
![Cornelius smith jr scandal 2014 2017](https://www.closerweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/cornelius-smith-jr-scandal-2014-2017.jpg?fit=800%2C617&quality=86&strip=all)
Getty Images
![Katie lowes scandal 2012 2017](https://www.closerweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/katie-lowes-scandal-2012-2017.jpg?fit=800%2C617&quality=86&strip=all)
Getty Images
![Scott foley scandal 2012 2017](https://www.closerweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/scott-foley-scandal-2012-2017.jpg?fit=800%2C617&quality=86&strip=all)
Getty Images
![Joe morton scandal 2012 2017](https://www.closerweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/joe-morton-scandal-2012-2017.jpg?fit=800%2C617&quality=86&strip=all)
Getty Images
![Portia de rossi scandal 2014 2017](https://www.closerweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/portia-de-rossi-scandal-2014-2017.jpg?fit=800%2C617&quality=86&strip=all)
Getty Images
![Tony goldwin scandal 2012 2017](https://www.closerweekly.com/wp-content/uploads/2017/05/tony-goldwin-scandal-2012-2017.jpg?fit=800%2C617&quality=86&strip=all)
Getty Images