‘Scandal’ Enlists ‘Homeland’ Actress for Major Season Three Arc (Exclusive)

ABC’s Scandal has added a new face for the final half of its third season.

Homeland‘s Nazanin Boniadi has boarded the Shonda Rhimes political thriller, The Hollywood Reporter has learned.

The actress, perhaps best known for playing FBI analyst Fara Sherazi on the third season of the Showtime drama, will recur in the final eight episodes of Scandal‘s third season.

Details on Boniadi’s character are being kept under wraps but she will have a heavy presence in the remainder of the season.

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As THR previously reported, the third season will pick up with Mama Pope (Khandi Alexander) still very much on Olivia Pope’s (Emmy nominee Kerry Washington) mind, while re-election will be on Fitz’s (Tony Goldwyn) radar.

Also in the mix: Quinn’s (Katie Lowes) future with OPA; whether James’ (Dan Bucatinsky) and Cyrus’ (Jeff Perry) marriage can survive both of them working for the White House; and a potential romance for first lady Mellie Grant (Bellamy Young) with new recurring player Jon Tenney.

And, lest we forget, Jake (Scott Foley) is now sitting atop B613 and Harrison (Columbus Short) is freaking out that former employer Adnan Salif is trying to get back into the country.

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The casting marks Boniadi’s return to Shondaland after she guest starred in one episode of Grey’s Anatomy. Boniadi is repped by AKA, Jordan Lee and Stone Meyer; her credits also include romancing Barney on How I Met Your Mother, Best Friends Forever and 24.

Scandal returns Thursday, Feb. 27, at 10 p.m. on ABC. Cope without Pope by hitting the comments below with your thoughts on who Boniadi will play.

Email: Lesley.Goldberg@THR.com
Twitter: @Snoodit