Expecting 22 episodes from ABC‘s hit series ‘Scandal‘ this season?

If so, you may be upset to learn that the show’s third season has now been cut short by the network today- who have now reduced its run to 18 episodes.

Four less than initially scheduled.

For, despite drawing in an audience of 9 to 10 million viewers per week, the arrival of the season brought with it Kerry Washington‘s pregnancy, which- according to ‘Deadline.com‘- is becoming increasingly difficult for the show’s creatives to disguise.

So, with no intentions of writing Washington’s good news into the script– this year’s run will end 9 episodes from now, doing so to avoid any confusion a pregnant Olivia Pope may bring to its fast paced storyline.

Looking forward to next week’s episode?

Press play to catch its teaser above!

Your thoughts?