'Scandal' Stars Bellamy Young and Darby Stanchfield Promise 'Off the Charts' Winter Finale

Darby Stanchfield and Bellamy Young attended the Veuve Cliquot Polo Classic together over the weekend

Published on October 20, 2015 11:45 AM

There’s never a dull moment in Shondaland – especially for the stars of Scandal, and Bellamy Young and Darby Stanchfield are enjoying the ride of season 5 as much as the audience.

“I just think the Scandal writers have outdone themselves in terms of what they’re taking on to comment on gender, politics, race,” Young, 45, told reporters at the Veuve Cliquot Polo Classic in the Pacific Palisades, California, on Saturday.

“I’m so proud to be a part of the conversations they’re contributing to,” added Young, who plays first lady and Virginia Senator Mellie Grant. “Mellie’s storyline continues to amaze me. I’m so grateful that I’m the person that gets to play that part.”

Stanchfield agreed with Young’s admiration for Mellie and her current predicament of having Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) publicly reveal that she’s President Fitzgerald Grant’s (Tony Goldwyn)’s mistress and the intensity that this season is bringing.

Young also praised Stanchfield’s performance as White House press secretary Abby Whelan: “But how about you? Swimming with the sharks.”

“Abby’s just trying to keep all of the scandal so the White House doesn’t blow up into total flames,” said Stanchfield, 44. “She’s just trying to keep it all under control. Abby’s busy.”

For Scandal fans who crave the show’s signature plot twists and cliffhangers, Young promises that the winter finale will deliver: “We just had our table read yesterday for the season finale … and it’s off the charts.”

Scandal airs Thursday at 9 p.m. ET on ABC.