PREMIERE

EVERYONE HAS SECRETS, BUT ONLY OLIVIA POPE CAN MAKE THEM GO AWAY, ON THE SERIES PREMIERE OF ABC'S "SCANDAL"

Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) has dedicated her life to protecting and defending the public images of the nation's elite and keeping their secrets under wraps. Revered and feared at the same time, one time communications director to the President of the United States left the White House to open her own prominent crisis management firm. Olivia is hoping to start a new chapter in her life - both professionally and personally - but she can't seem to completely cut ties with her past. Slowly it becomes apparent that her dysfunctional staff, who specialize in fixing other people's lives, can't quite fix the ones closest at hand -- their own - in ABC's midseason drama, "Scandal."

In the series premiere, "Sweet Baby," young lawyer Quinn Perkins is offered a job with the crisis management firm Olivia Pope and Associates. Quinn is in awe. Olivia Pope is the former communications director to the President. She and her team of "gladiators in suites" will do whatever it takes to make their clients' problems go away, and newbie Quinn is initiated into the group with trial by fire on day one. Olivia's former boss, President Fitzgerald Grant and his chief of staff, Cyrus Beene are never far from her beat - and when a White House intern accuses the President of having an affair, Olivia is the only one they trust to diffuse the problem. But the news hits close to home for Olivia, and Quinn soon realizes Olivia's clients aren't the only ones with secrets. "Scandal" premieres THURSDAY, APRIL 5 (10:01-11:00 p.m., ET) on the ABC Television Network.

"Scandal" stars Kerry Washington ("Ray") as Olivia Pope, Henry Ian Cusick ("Lost") as Stephen Finch, Columbus Short ("Stomp the Yard") as Harrison Wright, Guillermo Diaz ("Half-Baked") as Huck, Darby Stanchfield as Abby Whelan, Katie Lowes as Quinn Perkins, Tony Goldwyn ("Ghost") as President Fitzgerald Grant, and Jeff Perry ("Grey's Anatomy") as Cyrus Beene.

Guest starring Joshua Malina as David, Wes Brown as Sully St. James, Liza Weil as Amanda Tanner, Bellamy Young as Mellie Grant and Leslie Grossman as Lisa.

"Sweet Baby" was written by Shonda Rhimes and directed by Paul McGuigan.

"Scandal" was written by Shonda Rhimes ("Grey's Anatomy," "Private Practice"). Rhimes and Betsy Beers ("Grey's Anatomy," "Private Practice") are executive producers. Judy Smith is co-executive producer. Paul McGuigan is the director. "Scandal" is produced by ABC Studios.

"Scandal" is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel surround sound. This program carries a TV-14 parental guideline.