‘Scandal’ Season 5 [SPOILERS UPDATE]: New Gladiator Found? Showrunner Shonda Rhimes Teases Someone Familiar As Olivia And Fitz Get A Chance For A Happy Ending

Spoilers about the upcoming "Scandal" Season 5 are getting more interesting. As the political thriller returns on ABC this September, more crises are expected to ignite while Olivia (Kerry Washington) and Fitz (Tony Goldwyn) pursue a happy ending for their relationship.

According to showrunner Shonda Rhimes, "Scandal" Season 5 will focus in Liv and Fitz's love affair following the kissing scene at the end of the fourth season finale.

"The world had been fairly blown apart for everybody except Olivia and Fitz," Rhimes said during the Television Critics Association's press tour, as previously noted. "Everybody else was in a fairly blown apart place... We pick up right there in that environment and we see what's happens next."

Also in "Scandal" Season 5, a new gladiator has been found for the upcoming season of the series. As per Den of Geeks, the announcement for the new gladiator was made at the same time the renewal for a fifth season of "Scandal" has been confirmed. So, who will it be? Rhimes teased that it would be someone familiar that Liv has already worked with.

Meanwhile, as "Scandal" Season 5 delves into Olivia and the President's romance, Mellie, who was ousted from the White House, will be more independent and ruthless. According to Bellamy Young, the actress who portrays the role, the upcoming season will begin "in a world of hurt." Even though Mellie won a senate seat, the president's decision to instantly kick her out from the White House made her life difficult, Design & Trend revealed.

"That season finale pulled the rug out from under everyone, so I think everybody was pretty happy that we were starting back immediately after and getting to go into those moments" Young told TVLine.

For casting updates, "The Strain" star Mia Maestro will have a major recurring role on "Scandal" Season 5, Deadline reported. Unfortunately, Rhimes has been tight-lipped about Maestro's role.

In other news, "Scandal" star Tony Goldwyn is reportedly directing an episode of the upcoming series. On his Instagram account, he shared a video confirming that he will be directing "Scandal" Season 5 Episode 2.

"Scandal" Season 5 premieres on Sept. 24 at 9 p.m. on ABC.

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