Viewers are wondering why Stephen Finch (Henry Ian Cusick) left the political thriller series Scandal after Season 1. He was a beloved character and a senior associate at the main lead’s crisis management firm, Olivia Pope & Associates. In the Season 2 debut, it’s disclosed that he no longer works for the organization and has relocated. Since then, fans have been interested in learning how Cusick’s character was written off and why he left the series. Here are the details.
Did Stephen Finch die on Scandal?
No, Stephen Finch didn’t die on Scandal.
Finch is regarded as Olivia’s (Kerry Washington) right-hand man and the majority of his character development is set in the organization, which experiences several ups and downs in the show’s run. On a personal front, he had a solid relationship with Georgia, which led him to propose to her. However, their bond crumbles all thanks to Finch’s infidelities. He nevertheless showcases his honesty by revealing to Georgia that he cheated on her with other women. As Season 2 debuts, it’s learned that Finch has left Olivia Pope & Associates. He had married his girlfriend, Georgia, and relocated to Boston.
Here’s why Henry Ian Cusick left Scandal
It was Cusick and showrunner, Shonda Rhimes’ mutual decision to end Finich’s story and not make him return for another outing.
In an interview with TV Guide, Rhimes revealed details of Cusick’s departure from the show. She disclosed that the reason behind it was that his character did not have sufficient material on the show to carry on. Thus keeping him in the further seasons would do no justice to his character. Therefore, she didn’t hold him back and let him go.
She said, “Henry Ian Cusick is such a great guy. [But] in the making of the show, there was less for him to do than is deserving of him. I felt, why hold him back from doing other things?” Despite leaving the show in Season 1, Stephen Finch appeared briefly in Season 4, Episode 13, titled “No More Blood.”
