It’s only been a few episodes, but we’re already becoming attached to Mama Pope. In fact, last week’s gruesome wrist-biting scene let us know how much of a warrior and fighter Maya Lewis is.
The actress behind the role, Khandi Alexander, says she wasn’t clued in on any of the details when she took the role. In fact, she was a bit upset to find out she wouldn’t be sharing the same fabulous wardrobe as her TV daughter, Olivia. “I had visions of Chanel in my head!” Alexander told E! News. “And I showed up and [Lyn Paolo, the stylist] said, ‘OK, so what size jumpsuit do you want?’ And I said, ‘Wait, what? Excuse me?’ Because I had no idea what I was doing.”
Despite the ongoing love drama between Olivia, Fitz, Mellie and Jake, it appears Alexander is rooting for Mellie in light of her traumatizing background. “After the Mellie revelation [her being rapped by Fitz’s father], that was more powerful to me than shooting down the plane, because now that I know her backstory and what she sacrificed… It’s like she can’t be with him,” she explained. Alexander also confessed she does have a tiny crush on Scott Foley (Jake Ballard). “I mean excuse me if I had the choice, hello! I mean what’s the problem here?! Either or! Absolutely I’d take Scott Foley. And Tony, I’d take that too.”
For those who may be unfamiliar with Alexander’s background, she’s a major dance and theater star. And because of that, the idea of a Scandal musical has crossed her mind. “Maybe a two-woman show,” quipped Alexander. “But you know, all the actors on the show are from theater. It’s quite amazing.”