What to read, watch, and listen to if you lovedScandal
Shonda Rhimes · Series · 2012
If you loved Scandal, start with Truth (James Vanderbilt, 2015) — a film on the same thread. Below: 4 books, 4 films and 2 podcasts, each matched to Scandal across media.
If you loved the high-stakes manipulation in Scandal, you will crave these stories where power is built on secrets.
Books on the same thread
Millennium
Stieg Larsson, David Lagercrantz · Book · 2005
Explores: Corruption, Journalism, Misogyny.
Like Scandal, this investigative journey reveals how corruption hides behind public facades, forcing you to navigate the same moral ambiguity found in Olivia Pope’s relentless pursuit of the truth.
The Girl Who Kicked the Hornet's Nest (Millennium Trilogy)
Stieg Larsson · Book · 2010
Shares a thread with Scandal: redemption.
This story mirrors the conspiracy-laden tension of Scandal, focusing on how individuals fight against systemic abuse of power, echoing the gladiators' struggle to expose deep-rooted secrets at any cost.
The Girl on the Train
Paula Hawkins · Book · 2015
Explores: Unreliable Narrator, Alcoholism, Infidelity.
Much like the complex personal lives of the characters in Scandal, this thriller explores the devastating fallout of hidden infidelity and the dangerous consequences of maintaining a perfect exterior.
Bridgerton
Julia Quinn · Book · 2015
Explores: marriage of convenience, social etiquette, aristocratic scandal.
Created by the same visionary as Scandal, this series captures the same high-society intrigue and aristocratic scandal, proving that personal reputation is just as volatile as political standing.
Films on the same thread
Skyfall
Sam Mendes · Film · 2012
Explores: Loyalty vs. Betrayal, Relevance in the Modern World, Past Sins.
This film captures the intense loyalty and betrayal found in Scandal, focusing on the high-pressure environment of intelligence work where past sins threaten to dismantle an entire organization.
Quiz Show
Robert Redford · Film · 1994
Shares a thread with Scandal: Legal Drama.
The struggle between integrity and ambition in this film reflects the central conflict of Scandal, where characters must weigh the price of fame against the burden of deception.
Truth
James Vanderbilt · Film · 2015
Shares 2 threads with Scandal: Political drama, Legal drama.
This narrative mirrors the political drama of Scandal, focusing on the volatile intersection of media ethics and political scandal as characters fight to control the public narrative.
Gladiator
Film · 2000
Shares a thread with Scandal: Redemption.
Just as the gladiators in Scandal fight to protect their clients, this story features a protagonist navigating deep-seated corruption and betrayal to achieve personal and moral redemption.
Podcasts on the same thread
Infamous
Podcast
Explores: media accountability, power dynamics, behind the scenes.
If you enjoyed the behind-the-scenes maneuvering in Scandal, this podcast provides an equally gripping look at how investigators dismantle the reputations of the elite through relentless scrutiny.
Slow Burn
Slate Podcasts · Podcast · 2026
Explores: Political scandal, Archival research, Cultural impact.
This series explores the same political scandal dynamics as Scandal, using archival research to reveal how power shifts and secrets are uncovered within the corridors of American history.
Keep exploring
Common questions
What is the primary role of Olivia Pope in Scandal?
In Scandal, Olivia Pope is a professional fixer who dedicates her career to protecting the public images of the elite. She leads a team of specialists known as gladiators in suits who work to keep their clients' secrets under wraps while managing various crises.
Is Scandal focused on the personal lives of the main characters?
While the team in Scandal excels at fixing the lives of other people, the show highlights that these specialists have significant trouble fixing their own lives. Their professional success is contrasted with their personal struggles, as they navigate the challenges of their own complex situations.
Who created the television series Scandal?
Scandal is a television series created by Shonda Rhimes. It premiered in 2012 and centers on the high-stakes world of crisis management, focusing on Olivia Pope and her team as they handle the secrets and reputations of powerful public figures.
How would you describe the team dynamic in Scandal?
The team in Scandal is referred to as gladiators in suits. They are depicted as being at the top of their game when handling client matters and protecting secrets, yet they face internal difficulties when attempting to resolve their own personal issues throughout the series.