‘HTGAWM’ Season 4 Crossover With ‘Scandal’: Showrunner Says It’s A ‘Wish Fulfillment’
It is a dream come true for Shondaland fans to have a crossover between “How to Get Away With Murder” and “Scandal,” and executive producer Pete Nowalk even said it is a “wish fulfillment” of some sort.
“Shonda [Rhimes] and I decided to do this because Olivia and Annalise’s stories really met in a very organic way in terms of that they both have fallen from grace and really need to redeem themselves,” Nowalk told Variety. “It’s interesting to have to rely on a stranger to redeem yourself. They don’t know each other, they may not like each other, they have very different styles, so how do they develop enough trust to take on this huge project?”
Since Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) is a very popular figure in Shondaland, it made sense to have Michaela Pratt (Aja Naomi King) know her and admire her.
With the two powerful women on the same side, Nowalk said they would definitely “kick [ass].”
Most of the characters from “How to Get Away With Murder” appeared in the “Scandal” episode of the crossover, and Nowalk had to praise how the latter’s writers handled Annalise Keating (Viola Davis) and Michaela.
“I think they really nailed Annalise and Michaela really well,” he said. “I feel like we’re the juniors and we got to work with the seniors.”
And because Liza Weil already appeared in “Scandal” as the now-deceased White House intern Amanda Tanner, they didn’t use her in the episode. Her character, Bonnie Winterbottom, only appeared in the “How to Get Away With Murder” episode of the crossover.
“We keep Bonnie separate,” Nowalk explained. “We just ignored it. But what’s interesting about Liza is she’s such a chameleon — she looks very different and she’s such a good actress that she can just transform. So I don’t think it will bother anyone.”
Based on netizens’ reactions, this crossover is going to be one of the most watched both series will ever. “This just made my year already. How exciting. Anticipation is building,” a fan wrote. Another hilariously added, “Dear Mr.Nowalk and Master Shonda. I just learned my possible cause of death. ‘Death by Enthusiasm’ Why are you doing this to me!!!”
The two-hour crossover event will take place on March 1 on ABC, with “Scandal” first airing at 9 p.m. followed by “How to Get Away With Murder” at 10 p.m.
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