Kerry Washington had a huge night for at the NAACP Image Awards last weekend — “Scandal” was named best TV drama and Washington best actress in a drama series (not to mention best supporting actress in a movie for “Django Unchained” and a special award for public service).
The awards come just at the moment “Scandal” appears to be taking off as TV’s first must-see drama since the end of “Homeland.”
Ratings for the politico-soap are climbing fast. Last week’s episode was the second highest in the sophomore series’ history and Washington is suddenly the most sought-after actress on TV.
“She’s on a roll,” said actress Diahann Carroll, who was the last African American actress to star in a primetime TV drama 35 years ago, “Julia.”
Washington’s character on the series, political fixer Olivia Pope (a Republican), is having an affair with the president. But it does not seem to have turned off viewers who expect the stars of shows to be upright and true.
“I don’t gravitate toward stories about perfect people in perfect situations,” she said during one acceptance speech, “because in real life there is no such thing.”
“Olivia is not a role model,” “Scandal” creator Shonda Rhimes tweeted last week.