'Scandal' season 5 spoilers: New promo shows a new Olivia

Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) and her Gladiators on "Scandal" Youtube screenshot/ file

"Scandal" is coming back from its winter hiatus next month. Ahead of the show's return, the ABC series released a new promo which hints at a new Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) and a possible reconciliation between the her and Jake (Scott Foley).

In the midseason finale, Olivia finally decided to leave Fitz (Tony Goldwyn) as she packed up her things and left the White House. When the show returns, there will be a six-month time jump which shows all the ways that the fixer has changed after her breakup with the President.

In the promo, Abby (Darby Stanchfield) asks Olivia if she misses Fitz, and she emphatically says, "No." But later, she is seen calling the president on the phone. Olivia refuses to run Mellie's (Bellamy Young) campaign, and the former first wife doesn't look too happy about Olivia's decision. Later, Olivia and Jake are together in an elevator, and two have a passionate reunion as they start kissing in the enclosed space.

It certainly looks like Olivia will be falling back into Jake's arms in the second half of the show's fifth season. This isn't the first time that she has done this, as after a falling out with Fitz in the season 3 finale, Olivia went to an island for a very long vacation with Jake.

Last month, Foley spoke with TVLine and gave some details about upcoming episodes and also gave his take on Jake and Olivia's future. While the promo seems to imply that the two might rekindle their relationship, Foley told the website that he thinks Jake is "done" with the fixer. Jake has certainly been patient with her throughout all her relationship troubles with Fitz, but it appears that he has finally reached the end of his rope when Olivia let Rowan out of prison, which led to Rowan killing Jake's wife.

"Once he found out that she let Rowan out and Rowan then killed his wife, I think he was done," said Foley, adding that he was so proud of his character for calling out Olivia for becoming the woman that her father wanted her to be.

"Scandal" returns on Feb. 11 at 9 p.m. on ABC.

News
All Nations Christian College to sell campus and move courses online
All Nations Christian College to sell campus and move courses online

The college campus has connections with the 19th century abolitionist movement.

What is the biblical basis of Ash Wednesday?
What is the biblical basis of Ash Wednesday?

18 February 2026 is Ash Wednesday, which traditionally starts the season of Lent. This is the story …

Lent for the weary: rethinking the season as rest, not religious hustle
Lent for the weary: rethinking the season as rest, not religious hustle

Has Lent just become another self-improvement project with a spiritual label?

Bible Society stands by 'Quiet Revival' research
Bible Society stands by 'Quiet Revival' research

Questions about the study have been raised.