In the video clip below, showrunner Shonda Rhimes joins current Shondaland residents, Kerry Washington ("Scandal") and Ellen Pompeo ("Grey’s Anatomy") in welcoming new Shondaland tenant, Viola Davis, who stars in Rhimes’ latest creation, the drama series "How to Get Away with Murder," which will be 1/3 of ABC’s Shonda Rhimes Thursday night lineup.

The new project is described as a sexy, suspense legal thriller that follows a brilliant criminal defense attorney (played by Davis) and her ambitious law school students who become entangled in a murder mystery that could have major ramifications on their entire university as well as change the course of their lives.

Davis plays the lead character named Annalise DeWitt, the brilliant law professor and accomplished criminal defense attorney, who is further described as an excellent manipulator of people, particularly the law students who work at her law firm. And even juicier, she’s married to a psychology professor, while also having an affair, and calls her law class "How to Get Away With Murder."

Rounding out the cast are Aja Naomi King, Matt McGorry, Alfred Enoch, Karla Souza, Jack Falahee and Charlie Weber.

Peter Nowalk ("Grey’s Anatomy") is scripting and executive producing the ABC drama, alongside Shondaland’s Rhimes and Beers. 

Michael Offer directed the pilot, which was shot in Philadelphia.

Thursday nights will be Shonda nights on ABC: "Grey’s Anatomy" (8-9 pm); "Scandal" (9-10 pm) and "How to Get Away With Murder" (10-11pm).

Watch the welcoming party below: