Kerry Washington Says Her Dream Role Would Be Her Character From "Scandal On A Second Season"

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Are you looking forward to her new tv show? We love us some Kerry Washington around these parts, so we were excited to see her career continue to thrive thanks to her role opposite Eddie Murphy in “A Thousand Words” as well as her new TV show “Scandal,” which features her as THE STAR. EBONY chopped it up with the actress this week and we thought we’d share the interview with you.

Check it out below:

EBONY: Talk about what attracted you to “A Thousand Words.”

â€‹KW: The opportunity to work with Eddie Murphy was a big part of what attracted me to the film, and also the messages in it because it’s this really fun comedy—it’s funny but behind all of that is this idea that it’s important to say what you mean and mean what you say—the value and importance of communication. And I think one of the things that Eddie’s character learns is that it’s as important to listen, as it is to talk in communication. I think all of those things are great and they’re communicated so effortlessly as joy and fun in the film.

EBONY: It also must have been cool that Eddie Murphy was probably the childhood crush of everyone in your generation.

â€‹KW: (laughs) Totally! And also, I worked with all of these men who have been so inspired by him—people who he’s had such a tremendous impact on, like Chris Rock, Jamie Foxx and the Wayans brothers. I have loved working with all of those guys, so this was like going to the source, going to the teacher.

EBONY: How awkward was it that you had to seduce him in that crazy outfit?

â€‹KW: â€‹Those scenes are always awkward anyway, but we just laughed non-stop because it was such a ridiculous scene and what I’m wearing is ridiculous. But he takes comedy very seriously and it was great to collaborate with him. The last thing I wanted was people to see this movie and think that was a sexy scene because it’s not. It’s this ridiculous scene with these two people who aren’t able to communicate and so we worked on that.

EBONY: If you had to convince someone to see this movie in three quick cool points what would you say?

KW:I would say it’s a great fun comedy and Eddie Murphy will crack you up, Ruby Dee is adorable and you’ll walk away feeling great about the message.

When you go to support a film like “A Thousand Words” you’re voting at the box office. You’re saying to Hollywood, “We want to see great feel good comedies with Black families.”

EBONY: Speaking of sending a message, starring in “Scandal” is a big deal for you because you’re one of the few Black women to do it.

â€‹KW: Diahann Carroll did it with “Julia” and it has happened on cable with Jada Pinkett-Smith and also on HBO with the detective show with Jill Scott and Anika Noni Rose but it’s the first time since Diahann Carroll since a network has done this, and it’s really exciting. I love Shonda Rhimes. I wasn’t really looking to do a one-hour network drama but I read her script and just fell in love with the character, and with the world of the show, and with the concept of the show, and it’s been a joy to work for two Black women. Two of the executive producers on the show are Black women. Shonda Rhimes and Judy Smith—who the show is inspired by her work—and just to go to work every day and work for such smart, accomplished, generous and fabulous Black women has been a real treat.

EBONY: You guys are part of this crop of Black women in Hollywood who are making a huge statement of self-love and inspiration to little brown girls everywhere. And I’m saying this on the heels of Viola Davis walking the Oscars red carpet in her natural hair.

KW: She’s so gorgeous. It’s a really exciting time. I want Americans to understand that when you go to support a film like “A Thousand Words” you’re voting at the box office. You’re saying to Hollywood, “We want to see great feel good comedies with Black families,” and you vote with your remote control. When you tune in to “Scandal,” you’re creating success that has a ripple affect because if “Scandal” does well, all Black actresses will have more opportunities, better opportunities, that’s how it works. When something works they continue to do that something. I pray for the success of “Scandal” because I want to see more women of color on network television in leading roles.

EBONY: What’s your dream role to play?

â€‹KW: It’s really funny because my whole career people have asked me that and I’ve never really had an answer that felt authentic and true to my heart, but for the first time in my career—and I’m not kidding, it actually almost brought tears to my eyes when I caught myself saying it at a Q and A, but my dream role would be a second season of “Scandal” because it’s the most fulfilling role I have had artistically in my career.

Awww that’s deep! Well we hope the show is a success. Shonda Rhimes has done some great work with “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Private Practice” but we know it’s been a struggle to keep shows starring black talent on the air. Are you gonna support Kerry and Shonda’s endeavor?