Ear Hustlin’: Khandi Alexander Joins ‘Scandal’ Cast, Rumored to Play Kerry Washington’s Mother

Things got just got more interesting for #GladiatorsInSuits. Rumor has it, Shonda Rhimes has snagged a new ‘Scandal’ actress to join it’s team. According to The Hollywood Reporter, Khandi Alexander will play Maya Lewis, the mother to Olivia Pope, played by Kerry Washington. Reportedly, she’ll first appear during Thursday’s episode and be seen in flashbacks. Obviously, all parties involved have remained mum about this report, however, cast member Tony Goldwyn, who plays President Fitzgerald told the outlet,

You can only imagine what that would be like to find out that your mother did not die in the way that you thought she died, in terms of it being a willful act. It’s surreal for Olivia. The audience can imagine what that must be like to find out that your mother was murdered along with hundreds of other people. So the fact that her father was behind it is incomprehensible. It’s going to really complicate [Olivia and Rowan’s relationship] because Rowan remains a very dangerous person. It’s not like everyone can just expose him or take him out. It becomes a very volatile and dangerous situation. You can imagine how devastating it is for Olivia.

Most of us (*raises hand) became familiar with Khandi on The Corner . Her other credits include CSI: Miami, The Corner and ER and HBO’s Trem.