Scandal's Darby Stanchfield Promises a High-Stakes Showdown and a 'Juicy' Twist for Olivia in Her Directorial Debut

martin

8 years ago

For her first time directing an episode of network television, all Darby Stanchfield really wanted was a good script with a great ending — and she got them both.

Scandal (ABC, 10/9c). “I was like, ‘I’m so glad I get an ending like this!’ I immediately started fantasizing about what we could do with the ending. We really took time to explore different reactions that Olivia might have to a very juicy request.” (Oh, did you think we would reveal what that ending is? Come on, now.)

Stanchfield first showed an interest in directing a few seasons ago, and after shadowing several directors, was given the opportunity to direct Scandal: Gladiators Wanted, a web series that debuted ahead of Season 6, which she says is a testament to the “incredible” women of Shondaland. “They know that those opportunities need to be given, and I’m incredibly grateful for that. That’s very rare in this town, and that’s not lost on me.”

“If it weren’t for this incredibly supportive company — and I don’t mean just the actors, but the producers on down to every single crew member — I might have felt a little unnerved,” she adds. “It also helps that I know the show inside and out, so I didn’t have to do a lot of prep work in terms of researching the show and getting to know the characters. They’re already written upon my heart.”