"Scandal is getting back to what it does best: Gladiating," said show creator Shonda Rhimes early last month, in a TV Line interview on the series, essentially acknowledging that the show’s central Gladiator conceit had been sidelined a bit during the last couple of seasons, because, as she said, "we were busy healing Olivia," adding that Season 5 will feature "the reconstitution of Team OPA." 

This "reconstitution" obviously won’t include all of the initial members of "Team OPA" since, as we already know, Columbus Short’s character, Harrison, is no more. Maybe new addition Cornelius Smith Jr. (who plays Marcus Walker on the series, and who was upgraded to series regular for next season) will fill Short’s shoes? Or maybe not: “I honestly don’t know,” Rhimes says.

But one thing that looks near-certain, based on the trailer for the upcoming season that was released just moments ago, is that Olivia’s tumultuous relationship with the president will continue. 

The "Scandal" season 5 premiere airs on September 24th at 9|8c on ABC. 

Trailer below, after which you’ll find the trailer for another Shonda Rhimes ABC series – this one returning for its second season – "How to Get Away With Murder," starring Viola Davis," which promises that "the killer will be revealed."

"How to Get Away With Murder" returns on September 24th at 10|9c, immediately after "Scandal" on ABC.

First, here’s the trailer for "Scandal."

And here’s the trailer for "How to Get Away With Murder."