Coping with the pressures of feeling unrequited love and the burdens of maintaining a positive public family image can be difficult for anyone, especially when there’s also a new child involved. This is particularly true in the current second season of the hit ABC political thriller series ‘Scandal;’ pregnant First Lady Mellie Grant, portrayed by Bellamy Young, must struggle with the fact that her husband, the president of the United States, is in love with a colleague, who used to be a friend of the entire family. The actress cleverly maintains the cunning nature of her character, despite all the emotional hurdles she must overcome, on the show, which airs on Thursday nights at 10pm EST.
Season two of ‘Scandal’ follows President Fitzgerald Thomas Grant (played by Tony Goldwyn) as he is shot at his birthday gala. With the president remaining in the hospital after the assassination attempt, Olivia Pope (portrayed by Kerry Washington), the leader of political crisis management firm, Pope and Associates, tries to retain the White Office for his return. Vice President Sally Langston (played by Kate Burton) is inaugurated as Commander-in-Chief to serve until President Grant recovers.
Olivia and Fitz contend with their love for each other, and try to end their romantic relationship. The president’s love for Olivia causes disappointment in Mellie. While the First Lady is still in love with her husband, and says she’ll do whatever he needs to make him happy, Fitz shocks her by saying he wants a divorce.
The season also showcases the happy beginning of Mellie and Fitz’s marriage through flashbacks. The memories chronicle what their relationship was like before it began to crumble under the weight of the president’s love for Olivia.
Young generously took the time to talk about the second season of the political thriller series over the phone. Among other things, the actress discussed what it was like shooting the flashback episode and chronicle the happy stages of Mellie and Fitz’s marriage; how the First Lady’s pain over losing the love from her husband can make viewers empathize with her more; and how she hopes Mellie can rebuild her relationships with both Fitz and Olivia.
Question (Q): ‘Scandal’ recently aired a flashback episode, showcasing the beginning of the marriage of your character, First Lady Mellie Grant, to her husband, Fitzgerald Thomas Grant III, the president of the United States. What was it like filming the episode, and chronicling a time when the two were happy?
Bellamy Young (BY): The focus of the episode was really the genesis of how we got into the White House, more so than our relationship in particular. But it informed of everything leading up to the present about our relationship, and the turning point for us. It was a pleasure, because in the present day, (Mellie’s) hurt and jealous. There are a lot of darker things, and it isn’t the best moment of our relationship.
But marriage is long, and you have different errors that you go through. So it was such a pleasure to explore and see the happier times and lighter moments. So audiences got a sense of why these two people would be together. You think, why are they still together? But they’re together because they’ve been through a lot. There’s always a power shift in any relationship.
So it was wonderful, and felt great for us to play. There was a sense of how long they’ve been together, and everything they’ve faced together. It showed the road that led them up this moment they’re in right now in the White House.
Q: Even though their relationship is deteriorating, Mellie has been staying with Fitz in the White House to push her own political plans. After she announced that she was pregnant at the end of last season, do you think Mellie will be using her pregnancy to her advantage?
BY: I have to disagree-Mellie loves Fitz so deeply, so I think that’s what’s underneath all the anger and disappointment that she’s feeling. To watch the love of your life fall in love with someone else while you’re married shows that real love is different. I really think that he loves Olivia. But I think Mellie has real love with and for Fitz. It’s crushing, so that’s why I think she’s acting out.
As for our baby, it’s hard. Mellie does love running the country. I know she’s only helping to run the country, but in Mellie’s mind, she is running the country. She will definitely use any weapon at her disposal to forward her agenda. But I think you’ll see that she’s hoping the baby will draw them together. It’s still a ray of hope for her.
Mellie thinks she’s saving the presidency, because it garners good will with the public. She also thinks it might save the relationship, and remember why they love each other. She thinks they’ll see the innocence that their love creates. Does she use that in different ways and in different moments, yes, absolutely. But I still believe in Fitz and Mellie, and she’s desperate to do anything in her power to save the marriage. That includes this perfect couple that runs the country, and she’s attached to all of it. I think she really loves him.
Q: Do you think Mellie’s love for, and anger towards, Fitz will make her more sympathetic to audiences?
BY: I think people can empathize with the pain and betrayal, because we’ve all been dumped. We’ve all loved unrequitedly, and you’re at your very worst in those situations, because it’s out of your control. You cannot make someone love you, try as you might. You send a desperate text, or wear a pretty dress, or say the right thing, but it won’t turn someone’s heart.
It’s also made heavy by the fact that Mellie really loved Olivia. In the flashback episode, you saw how they came into the White House. You see the hope there of a great friendship between Mellie and Olivia, because Olivia is a great human. So there’s also that betrayal. She has to live in the thick of it now, and pretend that everything’s perfect. So I think everyone can empathize with the necessity to keep up a good faith, and the pain of loving someone, who at least right now, doesn’t love you.
Q: Speaking of Mellie and Olivia’s relationship, Olivia tried to convince the First Lady to come back to Washington after she learned that Mellie knew of the affair. Do you think the two women can repair their relationship over the rest of the season?
BY: It’s so interesting, because when you’re stuck in office, you’re leading the most public life. So when you have a fight with a sibling or a cousin, you’re still a family. You have to find a way to make it work day-to-day. Eventually, there is the hope that you’ll move past it.
But trust is delicate, and takes time to build back. I do believe that it’s a possibility down the road, but it takes people showing up and not betraying each other day after day, to become on the same page again. Liv and Mellie are like family now; like with Fitz, we have so much history. It’s a shorter time with Olivia, but we’ve been through some very intense things. So I do believe we have great respect for each other, and there’s always a possibility. But it’s always difficult with the romantic wrinkle, but there’s always the possibility of a resolution down the road.
I think when there’s still respect, that’s when you can still heal. So it depends on how the story plays out. But we still do respect each other.
Q: While Mellie still does love Fitz, she still pushes and antagonizes him. Do you think after the birth of their child, they can rebuild their relationship?
BY: I think Mellie hopes so. I think she’s trying every time she gets a chance, and she’s trying to put a good face on things. She’s trying to help him remember that this was good once. But she can turn on a dime-Mellie is hilarious that way. If you say one wrong thing, or look at her sideways, she goes into a big, black cloud. But I really do think she’s trying.
I think the baby will put more hope into her heart that Fitz will soften back towards her, and remember the love they had. They have two other kids, and those times were wonderful, watching them grow up, and being parents together. I do believe she’s hoping to recapture that point in their relationship with the new baby.
Q: You live tweet with fans(#AskScandal) during the airing of the episodes. What kinds of reactions have you been receiving from fans so far about this season?
BY: It’s been great! I’m not very technologically savvy, so it was a slow learning curve with me and the tweeting. But it’s turning out to be so much fun, because we’re having a conversation with people all over the world, as they’re watching the show unfold. So the emotions that we have when we get these scripts-we know how blessed we are, as these scripts are incredible-the fans have while watching the shows.
The cast, because it’s a love fest, and we know how lucky we are, we’re texting and having giant email threads. We say, did you see page 22? Did you check page 45? We’re so excited. So when we tweet, we get to relive that emotional rollercoaster again.
Everyone’s been incredible to me. I realized that this is a very public forum, and people can say horrible things. But no one has; everyone’s been really sympathetic to Mellie. They love to hate her. Even if they say, ‘I can’t stand Mellie, but I love how much I can’t stand her.’ Those things are so fun, because you know people’s hearts are in it. People will tweet #teammellie, and it feels amazing.
People also ask questions that really make you think. Like someone asked me about the backstory on Fitz and Olivia. It took me a minute to get it in my mind and answer. It’s a positively incredible forum, and I love it. You get to know people-you see them every week. Now people are very involved, so it’s gotten to be overwhelming. There’s no way to reply to everyone, which puts my OCD in a tailspin.
Q: Before appearing on ‘Scandal,’ you guest-starred on an episode of ‘Private Practice,’ where you also worked with writer-producer Shonda Rhimes. What was it like working with her on both shows?
BY: There sort of no words that are high enough to praise Shonda. I did the ‘Grey’s Anatomy’ that was the spin-off to ‘Private Practice,’ and was sort of working both shows at once. That was an amazing moment to see such a well-oiled machine leading to such another great show. So that was interesting to see that shift happen.
Then with ‘Scandal,’ I was hired to recur on the first season, and wasn’t really sure how my story line would go. But they kept writing more and more incredible things for me. Then Shonda kindly made me a regular, and I can’t imagine being more fortunate than being in the Shonda Rhimes family.
She leads with such grace, and is so smart and collaborative. But you always trust that whatever she decides is going to be far better than what you can think of. You can always ask her anything about script questions. You only have a prescribed amount of time, because she’s overwhelmed by wearing so many hats. But she’s the loveliest, smartest, kindest, most hard-working woman to work for. She’s truly a person who can do it all.
Q: Besides ‘Scandal,’ you also have a recurring role as Beth Clemmons on ‘Criminal Minds.’ Will you be returning to that show this season?
BY: Yes, they’ve been very kind. ABC and CBS brokered a deal, where I can do a few ‘Criminal Minds,’ with permission from ‘Scandal,’ and they work to make the schedules work out. But they very kindly did not kill me off or break us up. They wrote that Beth has been transferred to New York, and Hotch, in several episodes, has gone to visit me.
But they’re terrific, I still see those people socially, and love them so much. They’re a great family of people. So Beth is still there; Beth and Hotch are still going strong.
Q: Besides television, you’ve also appeared in films and on Broadway. Do you have any plans to return to films and/or theater in the future?
BY: I love going in between the mediums. To be able to do all things until I’m 85 would be incredible, because I love my job. I would love to be back on stage. Films are also so much fun, because they’re so concentrated, and compared to television, so relaxed, in terms of pace. You can really support the work, while television’s very fast.
The true joy of television is two-fold. First of all, you get to be a part of a family. I very much love going to the set every day, and have a family with the crew and cast and writers and production. Especially on this job, it’s the best of the best, and the kindest of the kindest. So 16-hour days feel like playing in the sandbox.
But it’s also been a revelation to come to know a character. You can only play the script you’re working in, and you’ll get the next script and go, oh, really? You’ll find something new out. So it’s amazing to get to know a character and keep growing and learning, just like you do in life. I love it all.
