'Scandal' Season 5 Cast News, Update: Cornelius Smith Jr. Upped to Be Series Regular, Jake Ballard to Be Eliminated?

Last month, it has been hinted that a new gladiator will be joining Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) in the upcoming fifth season of ABC's hit TV drama series "Scandal."

In a report from International Business Times, it is said that activist Marcus Walker, played by Cornelius Smith Jr., might be replacing the vacated spots at Olivia Pope & Associates (OPA) following the exit of Abby Whelan (Darby Stanchfield) and the death of Harrison Wright (Columbus Short).

Although it is not directly linked to the character in question, the latest casting report from TV Line confirmed the promotion of Smith Jr. as full-fledged series regular come Season 5.

The actor's character debuted in the Ferguson-inspired March 5 episode, "The Lawn Chair," where he was seen as an activist working with Olivia for a civil rights cause.

Further details on his involvement are still being kept under wraps.

On related casting news, a report from DayHerald.com said that one of Scandal's main characters, Jake Ballard (Scott Foley) could be eliminated in the early parts of Season 5.

Foley did told his fans that he will certainly be returning for the next season but there are some hints that the end of Pope's boyfriend could be nearer than expected.

Despite speculations suggesting that Jake won't likely be eliminated that easily, it is however believed that the show's creator, Shonda Rhimes, doesn't measure the indispensability of a character based on popularity.

Right over at Inquistr, it was further theorized that based on the scene of the Season 4 finale where Jake bade goodbye to Olivia, it would be safe to expect that Jake might not return or otherwise be axed off earlier next season.