Guess what actress has been tapped to play Olivia’s mother on Scandal?

Posted by | Ray Cornelius

Now this is something that is sure to get the Gladiators talking.

S&A is reporting that veteran actress Khandi Alexander will play the coveted role of Olivia Pope’s mother on the ABC smash hit Scandal.  For quite some time, Gladiators have suggested a number of actresses they wanted to see as Liv’s mother including as Phylicia Rashad, Angela Bassett, Lynn Whitfield, Jenifer Lewis and CCH Pounder.

Who knew that Ms. Alexander was even on the show producer’s radar?

At any rate, Alexander will have a recurring role on the show as Maya Lewis, the mother of “Liv” and the deceased wife of Eli Pope, played by Joe Morton.

Alexander is best known for her role on such show as CSI: Miami, Treme  and Newsradio.  She has also appeared in such films as Menace II Society, Sugar Hill  and Poetic Justice.  You may also remember her as an Ikette in What’s Love Got to Do with It.

Alexander will be introduced on this week’s episode which airs at 10 p.m. on Thursday.

What are your thoughts about Khandi Alexander playing Olivia Pope’s mother?

Photo Credits: newsgab.com and abc.go.com