Liza Weil (Paris Gellar on Gilmore Girls) was cast in Shonda Rhimes’ new ABC pilot back in March. The pilot was named Damage Control at the time, but is now Scandal. The series was picked up for the midseason 2011-12 schedule, which is great news!

Scandal is about a former media relations consultant to the President, Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington), who dedicates her life to protecting and defending the public images of our nation’s elite. After leaving the White House, the power consultant opened her own firm, hoping to start a new chapter — both professionally and personally — but she can’t seem to completely cut ties with her past. Slowly it becomes apparent that her staff, who specialize in fixing the lives of other people, can’t quite fix the ones closest at hand — their own.

Liza Weil has a supporting role in the tv series as Amanda Tanner (or Julia Tannen – name doesn’t seem fixed yet), a Presidential aide whoe’s been telling people that she’s sleeping with the President. The series stars Kerry Washington, Henry Ian Cusick, Columbus Short and Guillermo Diaz.

“Scandal” Trailer

I hope Liza gets some regular facetime, though it sounds like her character is really plot-dependent and may phase out once that issue is passed. Who knows!