We need Olivia Pope! "Scandal" has been hit with … well, a scandal. The hit ABC series had an explosive Season 3 finale (literally) with a surprising death and a jaw-dropping cliffhanger. Naturally fans are dying to know what will happen in Season 4, but the departure of a main character has caused a frenzy of rumor.

Deadline released a story naming "World War Z" actor Eric West as a replacement for Columbus Short, who played original Gladiator member Harrison. Short, who's played the character since Season 1, revealed in late April that he would not be returning to the Shonda Rhimes series.

News of West's casting went viral. But unfortunately the casting news was a hoax. Rhimes took to Twitter to shut down the rumors of Short's replacement.

"I've never heard of Eric West," Rhimes tweeted. "Harrison is not being recast EVER. How about reporters CHECK THEIR SOURCES before running with a story?"

Rhimes continued by calling out the site responsible for the story, and throwing in one of Olivia's signature lines.

"Um, @Deadline? Handle yourself," the series creator posted.

West also took to Twitter to respond to the news of his supposed casting.

"This is news to me …" he Tweeted Wednesday evening.

Deadline removed the post naming West as Columbus Short's replacement and explained that in the "rush of upfront news" they published a story that ended up being "an elaborate hoax."

Harrison's life was left hanging in limbo in the Season 3 finale when the episode ended with him confronting Rowan and Tom pointing a gun at him. Columbus Short, who was accused of threatening his wife Tanee Short a couple weeks prior to the finale, released a statement in late April confirming that he would not be returning for the fourth season of "Scandal":

"At this time I must confirm my exit from a show I've called home for 3 years, with what is the most talented ensemble on television today. I would like to first thank Shonda Rhimes for the opportunity to work with such an amazing cast. Thank you GLADIATORS, who have supported me throughout my entire career and of course to ABC and Shondaland for allowing me to play such a pivotal role in the Scandal series. I have enjoyed every single minute of it. Everything must come to an end and unfortunately the time has come for Harrison Wright to exit the canvas. I wish nothing but the best for Shonda, Kerry and the rest of the cast, who have become like a second family to me in such a short amount of time. For this, I will forever be grateful."

See the tweets from Rimes and West regarding the fake casting news below:

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