Kerry Washington's birthday tribute to Scott Foley: 'Standing in the Sun'
Synopsis
Years after Scandal wrapped, Kerry Washington's effusive Instagram birthday post for Scott Foley — complete with on-set throwbacks and the fan hashtag #Olake — is a reminder that the show's cast chemistry didn't end with the finale. Foley, now 54, is heading back to horror screens in Scream 7.
Key Takeaways
Kerry Washington posted a birthday tribute on Instagram for Scott Foley , who turned 54 .
Washington called Foley her 'one and only' and used the hashtag #Olake , referencing their Scandal characters.
Scandal , created by Shonda Rhimes , ran from 2012 to 2018 across 7 seasons and 124 episodes .
Foley's upcoming film Scream 7 is directed by Kevin Williamson and is a sequel to Scream VI .
The Scream 7 cast includes Neve Campbell , Courteney Cox , David Arquette , and McKenna Grace , among others.
Actress Kerry Washington marked co-star Scott Foley's 54th birthday with a warm Instagram tribute, invoking the spirit of their long-running Scandal bond and tagging him as her 'one and only.' The post, shared publicly on her Instagram account, included two photographs from the sets of the hit political drama.
What Washington Posted
In her caption, Washington wrote: 'Another trip around the sun, while STANDING IN THE SUN, for the one and only, @scottkfoley. Love you soooooooo much. HAPPY BIRTHDAY!!!!!! #ScandalFam #Olake.' The hashtag #Olake — a fan-coined portmanteau for their characters Olivia Pope and Jake Ballard — signals how deeply the show's fandom still resonates years after its finale.
Their Scandal Connection
Scandal, the Shonda Rhimes-created political thriller, aired on ABC from 2012 to 2018 across seven seasons and 124 episodes. Washington's character, Olivia Pope, was partially inspired by Judy Smith, a former press aide in the George H. W. Bush administration who also served as a co-executive producer on the series. Foley played Jake Ballard, a recurring love interest whose chemistry with Pope became one of the show's defining storylines.
Scott Foley's Career at a Glance
Beyond Scandal, Foley has built a varied television résumé spanning Felicity, Scrubs, and The Unit, with guest appearances on Grey's Anatomy, Dawson's Creek, and House. In film, he is perhaps best known as Roman Bridger in Scream 3.
Foley's Upcoming Release: Scream 7
Foley's most anticipated upcoming project is Scream 7, directed and written by Kevin Williamson alongside co-writer Guy Busick. The film is the seventh instalment in the long-running horror franchise and a direct sequel to Scream VI. Returning cast members include Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, David Arquette, Matthew Lillard, and Jasmin Savoy Brown, with newcomers Isabel May, McKenna Grace, Anna Camp, Mark Consuelos, and others joining the ensemble. The plot centres on Sidney Prescott, whose daughter Tatum becomes the target of a new Ghostface killer.
Washington's tribute underscores how cast bonds forged on long-running dramas often outlast the shows themselves — a dynamic Scandal fans have followed closely since the series wrapped in 2018.
Point of View
But Washington's #Olake hashtag is doing quiet marketing work — keeping a show that ended in 2018 alive in search and social feeds at exactly the moment Foley needs visibility ahead of Scream 7. The post is warm, but it is also well-timed. In an era of franchise revivals and streaming catalogue rediscoveries, Scandal's cast staying publicly close keeps the show's streaming numbers ticking — a dynamic Shonda Rhimes' network understands well.
NationPress
16 Jul 2026
Frequently Asked Questions
Why did Kerry Washington post a birthday tribute for Scott Foley?
Kerry Washington posted an Instagram tribute to mark Scott Foley's 54th birthday, celebrating their enduring friendship from their years together on the political drama Scandal. She shared two photographs from the show's sets alongside a heartfelt caption.
What is the #Olake hashtag Washington used?
#Olake is a fan-coined portmanteau combining 'Olivia' and 'Jake' — the names of the characters played by Kerry Washington and Scott Foley respectively in Scandal. Washington's use of the hashtag is a nod to the show's still-active fandom.
What is Scott Foley known for?
Scott Foley is best known for his roles in Scandal, Felicity, Scrubs, and The Unit on television, and as Roman Bridger in the film Scream 3. He has also made guest appearances on Grey's Anatomy, Dawson's Creek, and House.
What is Scream 7 about and when does it release?
Scream 7 is the seventh instalment in the Scream franchise, directed by Kevin Williamson and co-written with Guy Busick. It follows Sidney Prescott as her daughter Tatum is targeted by a new Ghostface killer, and features returning stars including Neve Campbell, Courteney Cox, and David Arquette alongside several new cast members.
What was Scandal and when did it air?
Scandal was an American political thriller created by Shonda Rhimes that aired on ABC from 2012 to 2018, spanning seven seasons and 124 episodes. Kerry Washington starred as crisis manager Olivia Pope, a character partly inspired by real-life Bush-era press aide Judy Smith.
