Kerry Washington is an American actress, producer, director, and activist whose career extends across television, film, theater, and publishing. She became a household name as Olivia Pope in Scandal, but her work reaches far beyond that defining role. From Ray and Django Unchained to Little Fires Everywhere and UnPrisoned, Washington has repeatedly chosen complex characters and socially relevant stories. In 2026, her career continues to expand with new television and film projects.
Who Is Kerry Washington?
Born on January 31, 1977, Washington is a native of the Bronx, New York. She developed an extensive acting career before becoming one of television’s most recognizable dramatic performers. Her credits include film, television, theater, producing, directing, and advocacy work.
Her breakthrough in mainstream television came with Scandal, the ABC political drama created by Shonda Rhimes. Washington played crisis-management expert Olivia Pope for all seven seasons, appearing in 124 episodes. The role earned her major award recognition and established her as one of the defining television stars of the 2010s.
Kerry Washington’s Most Important Roles
One reason Washington’s career remains interesting is the range between her characters. She can move from historical drama to political thriller, family drama, comedy, and action without being tied permanently to one screen persona.
| Title | Year | Role | Why It Matters |
|---|---|---|---|
| Ray | 2004 | Della Bea Robinson | An early acclaimed film performance |
| Django Unchained | 2012 | Broomhilda von Shaft | Major role in Quentin Tarantino’s Western |
| Scandal | 2012–2018 | Olivia Pope | Her signature television role |
| Confirmation | 2016 | Anita Hill | Starred in and helped produce the HBO film |
| Little Fires Everywhere | 2020 | Mia Warren | Led the Hulu adaptation as actor and executive producer |
| UnPrisoned | 2023–2024 | Paige Alexander | Combined comedy and family drama |
| The Six Triple Eight | 2024 | Major Adams | Played a leading role in Tyler Perry’s historical drama |
| Imperfect Women | 2026 | Eleanor | Returned to television in a mystery drama |
Her film résumé also includes Save the Last Dance, The Last King of Scotland, Mr. & Mrs. Smith, and Fantastic Four. Later projects have continued to broaden her range rather than simply reproducing the style of Scandal.
Olivia Pope and the Impact of Scandal
For many viewers, Olivia Pope remains the role most closely associated with Washington. The character was intelligent, ambitious, politically connected, and emotionally complicated. The show’s success gave Washington a rare position as the lead of a major network drama and helped make her a prominent figure in contemporary American television. Hulu notes that she became the first Black woman since 1974 to headline a network television drama.
The importance of the role also explains why later projects attract attention. Audiences often approach Washington’s newer performances with expectations created by Olivia Pope, while her career choices demonstrate that she is not dependent on a single character.
💡 Pro Tip: If you are exploring Washington’s work for the first time, don’t watch only Scandal. Pair it with Ray, Confirmation, and Little Fires Everywhere to see how differently she approaches historical drama, real-life material, and contemporary family conflict.
From Acting to Producing and Storytelling
Washington has increasingly worked behind the camera as well as in front of it. Her producing credits include Confirmation, Little Fires Everywhere, UnPrisoned, The Six Triple Eight, and Reasonable Doubt. Her IMDb credits also list directing work, showing a career that has developed beyond conventional acting.
That broader involvement is particularly visible in Little Fires Everywhere. Washington played Mia Warren and served as an executive producer on the Hulu miniseries. The project placed her in a story centered on motherhood, class, race, identity, and complicated family relationships.
Her producing work matters because it gives Washington another way to participate in the stories she brings to audiences. Instead of relying solely on performance, she has become involved in developing and shaping projects.
Kerry Washington as an Author
Washington also explored her personal history through her 2023 memoir, Thicker Than Water. Published by Little, Brown Spark, the book examines her upbringing, career, family, identity, advocacy, and the discovery of a significant family secret. The publisher describes it as a deeply personal account of her journey and notes that it became a New York Times bestseller.
The memoir offers a different perspective from her screen work. Viewers know Washington through characters and public appearances; the book gives readers a more direct account of how she understood her own life and career.
What Is Kerry Washington Working On in 2026?
Washington remains active across both television and film. Imperfect Women, a 2026 Apple TV series, features her as Eleanor in a mystery centered on three longtime friends whose lives change after a murder.
She is also attached to An Innocent Girl, a Netflix thriller directed by Jaume Collet-Serra. Washington stars in the project and serves as an executive producer. Netflix’s Tudum describes a story involving a young woman drawn into the dangerous world of a powerful Washington, D.C., couple.
Another upcoming project is Animals, directed by Ben Affleck. Washington is part of the cast, with the film scheduled for Netflix in October 2026 according to recent reporting.
These projects suggest a career that continues to move between prestige television, feature films, producing, and character-driven stories.
📌 Key Takeaway: Kerry Washington is best understood as a multi-hyphenate storyteller rather than simply the star of Scandal. Her acting career established her profile, while producing, directing, writing, and advocacy have allowed her to build a broader creative identity.
Frequently Asked Questions
What is Kerry Washington best known for?
Washington is best known for playing Olivia Pope in the ABC drama Scandal. She has also received recognition for films and series including Ray, Django Unchained, Confirmation, Little Fires Everywhere, UnPrisoned, and The Six Triple Eight.
How many seasons of Scandal did Kerry Washington appear in?
Washington starred as Olivia Pope throughout all seven seasons of Scandal, which ran from 2012 to 2018. IMDb lists 124 episodes featuring her as the central character.
What is Kerry Washington’s memoir called?
Her memoir is titled Thicker Than Water. Published in September 2023, it explores her family history, personal identity, career, relationships, advocacy, and experiences in Hollywood.
Is Kerry Washington still acting?
Yes. Washington continues to work in television and film. Her 2026 credits include Imperfect Women, while upcoming projects include An Innocent Girl and Animals.
What are some good Kerry Washington movies to watch?
Good starting points include Ray, Django Unchained, Confirmation, The Last King of Scotland, and The Six Triple Eight. For television, Scandal, Little Fires Everywhere, and UnPrisoned show three very different sides of her screen work.
Conclusion
Kerry Washington has built a career that extends well beyond her breakthrough as Olivia Pope. Her film performances, television roles, producing work, memoir, and newer projects reveal an artist interested in stories about identity, power, family, history, and complicated human choices. For anyone discovering Kerry Washington today, her career offers much more to explore than Scandal alone.
