Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn reunited for Variety’s Actors on Actors and revived fan excitement around their Scandal characters, Olivia Pope and President Fitzgerald Grant, known to viewers as “Olitz.” Although the conversation focused partly on their current projects, the pair quickly turned nostalgic, reflecting on the long-running political drama and the intense chemistry that made their on-screen romance one of television’s most talked-about relationships.
During the discussion, Washington noted a growing online conversation among younger and older viewers who are rewatching Scandal and questioning whether Olivia and Fitz were actually a healthy couple. Goldwyn responded with humor, saying that fans were only now realizing what had been obvious to many: the relationship was never simple or especially stable. Washington agreed, saying the couple was not healthy, but that their flaws were part of what made the romance compelling and emotionally addictive for audiences.
The actors revisited the central tension that defined Olivia and Fitz across seven seasons. Their characters fell in love amid White House power struggles, political scandals, assassinations, elections, and betrayals, all while trying to hold onto a relationship that often seemed impossible. The show ended nearly a decade ago, but the conversation showed that the characters’ legacy remains strong, with fans still debating where Olivia and Fitz would stand today if the story continued.
Goldwyn said he always believed the relationship felt grounded in something real, which is why the characters were never able to completely separate from each other. In his view, Olivia and Fitz were each other’s answer, even if the romance included dysfunction and deep complications. Washington added her own playful but realistic take on their future, suggesting that the couple would likely be in regular therapy if they were together now. Goldwyn agreed, joking that they would need counseling to survive and that Fitz probably spent time in Vermont to escape the toxic cycles of their past.
He also described Fitz as someone who genuinely wanted to support Olivia’s growth and success, whether she became president or pursued another path. That framing emphasized that beneath the drama, the relationship was built on devotion, ambition, and mutual understanding, even if it often played out in destructive ways.
Beyond their fictional romance, Washington and Goldwyn highlighted the real-life friendship that began on the Scandal set. Goldwyn has said in the past that they immediately connected as people and actors, and Washington has described them as instant friends. Their continued closeness has remained visible through social media interactions and public reunions that continue to excite longtime fans of the series.
Earlier this year, Washington even called Goldwyn during an appearance on the Call Her Daddy podcast to revisit the show’s famously intense romantic scenes, further proving that their Scandal bond is still alive in both memory and public affection. The reunion offered fans another reminder that Olivia Pope and Fitz Grant remain one of TV’s most enduring and debated couples.
