People.com Entertainment TV Kerry Washington Says Goodbye to 'Scandal' : 'I Am Filled with Endless Gratitude' On Thursday, the final episode of Shonda Rhimes' acclaimed series Scandal aired on ABC, putting the soapy political drama to bed after seven jaw-dropping seasons By Dave Quinn Dave Quinn Instagram Twitter Dave Quinn is an Editor for PEOPLE, working across a number of verticals including the Entertainment, Lifestyle and News teams. He joined in 2006 as a Writer/Reporter where he became known for his Bravo and Broadway exclusives across print and digital. Dave is the author of the No. 1 New York Times best-selling book, Not All Diamonds and Rosé: The Inside Story of the Real Housewives from the People Who Lived It. He's appeared on many broadcasts including ABC's Good Morning America, Bravo's Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, E!'s Daily Pop, NBC's New York Live and PEOPLE's own Reality Check, as well as a number of podcasts like Bitch Sesh, Everything Iconic, Watch What Crappens, Hot Off the Mess, Mention It All, and PEOPLE Every Day. Prior to working at PEOPLE, Dave was the chief Theater Reporter for NBC New York and co-host of Entertainment Weekly's acclaimed TV Recaps series. People Editorial Guidelines Published on April 20, 2018 08:00 AM Share Tweet Pin Email Olivia Pope has left the building. On Thursday, the final episode of Shonda Rhimes‘ acclaimed series Scandal aired on ABC, putting the soapy political drama to bed after seven jaw-dropping seasons. Saying goodbye was hard for star Kerry Washington, who paid tribute to her time on the series with a sweet pair of photos on Instagram — the first of which featured the actress laying on the carpet used on the set of the show’s fictional White House Oval Office. “This picture was taken when we completed filming our very final scene in the Oval Office set,” the 41-year-old actress said. “So many of @scandalabc’s most iconic scenes happened in that Oval. It has been, in many ways, the center of our #Scandal universe. Other sets were already being dismantled and we knew this one would be next. So, before saying good-bye, I stretched out on that gorgeous rug and tried to just take it all in.” Washington was soon joined by “a few beloved crew members” on the carpet. “Because…. why not?” she wrote alongside the gallery of photos. Did Scandal’s Olivia Pope Get a Happy Ending in the Series Finale? Also in the post’s caption, Washington thanked her Scandal fans for watching throughout the years. She then looked back on the show’s legacy and the strong bonds she built on set. “Tomorrow morning I will wake up and begin to try to process the magical dream of the past seven seasons,” she said. “I imagine it will take some time to really understand what just transpired in my life. But, this much, I know… I am filled with endless gratitude for our #Scandal Family. Our glorious cast & crew and our community of #Gladiators. TOGETHER, we have changed history. Transformed television. And illuminated each other’s lives.” “Thank you for watching. And tweeting. And being with us!!!!” Washington continued. She signed the post, “With love & gratitude, My very best, Kerry.” SCANDAL - “Something Borrowed” – The first half of the epic final season ends with shocking revelations and jaw-dropping events that will leave everyone reeling, on “Scandal,” airing THURSDAY, NOV. 16 (9:00-10:00 p.m. EST), on The ABC Television Network. (ABC/Richard Cartwright) KERRY WASHINGTON The 10 Most Scandalous Moments of Scandal Though this likely won’t be the end of Washington’s time on the small screen (she’s inked an overall production deal with ABC and already sold two projects), the actress told PEOPLE she’s still grieving the end of the show. “I think it’s a process. I think I am in a stage of processing,” she said exclusively in this week’s issue of PEOPLE, on stands now. “I am not in complete denial, but I don’t think the processing will be complete for a while. I was on a hike today and I ran into Katie Lowes and we hugged for, I don’t know, five minutes straight.” RELATED VIDEO: Dinner and a Show! See Kerry Washington Slay Two Dresses in One Night It’s costars like Lowes who made saying goodbye so difficult. “What I will miss most about Scandal is the community, the people, not being able to see my closest friends every single day,” Washington said. Still, Washington — a Neutrogena brand ambassador and creative consultant who recently created her very first palettes for the company —is looking forward to life post-Scandal. “I mean, there’s so much going on,” she explained to PEOPLE. “It’s an adventure.”