ABC's gripping political drama "Scandal" will officially come to an end after season 7.
Despite the network's silence on the matter, TV Line reports that multiple sources have confirmed the show's grim fate. ABC is expected to make the formal announcement during its upfront presentation for advertisers in New York City next week. An insider claims showrunner Shonda Rhines was the one who made the call to end the program and ABC agreed to her decision.
Rhimes previously said she is aware that the amount of stories for "Scandal" is limited. She further explained that an ending for the show has already been planned and she feels satisfied about the outcome.
Set in Washington D.C., the political thriller starring Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn only has two episodes left in its current season. During its peak, the show was pulling in an average of 9 million live+same day viewers per week. The numbers have since dipped, with the current season garnering around 5.7 million viewers every episode.
In April, Rhimes opened up about what made her decide to do the show despite her busy schedule. She mentioned that it was famed Washington, D.C., crisis manager Judy Smith who convinced her to move forward with "Scandal."
"I already had two shows [Grey's and Private Practice], and the idea of doing something else sounded way too exhausting. But Judy Smith talked for 10 minutes, and I could see what 100 episodes would be. I'm obsessed with politics, but it was the workings of her job and the idea that she came into people's lives on their worst day that was intriguing."
Throughout its run, "Scandal" introduced a new era of diversity on TV. Washington had her first Emmy nomination in 2013, and she was the first African-American actor to be nominated as best drama actress in the last 18 years.
The two-part "Scandal" season 6 finale directed by Goldwyn will air on Thursday, May 18, at 9 p.m. EDT on ABC.
