Boy, what a difference four years makes! When we first met Quinn Perkins, she was a fresh-faced, driven and puzzling new member of Pope and Associates. Of course, this being Shonda Rhimes’ SCANDALous world — where happily ever afters don’t exactly add up to compelling television — Quinn Perkins has gone through quite the transformation over the past few seasons. Which is why, as SCANDAL kicks off its much-anticipated fifth chapter, Perkins has grown into a compassionate albeit complex and dare we say terrifying person on Team Pope. Yup, we’re just going to say it, Quinn Perkins isn’t just our favourite Gladiator, she is one of the strongest characters of television right now. Credit for which goes to her portrayer, Katie Lowes, who has infused her character with an intimidating prescence, while at the same time not taking away her heart and human flaws.
I caught up with Lowes about this week’s episode, her thoughts on Quinn joining the likes of B6-13, and how she feels about Huckleberry Quinn.
We ended last week where the media knows about Liv (Kerry Washington) and Fitz’s (Tony Goldwyn) relationship. How will that affect their relationship?
Katie Lowes: I mean, it’s not going to be good that’s for sure! There’s not much I can say, but it’s definitely going to unfold itself. I think for Quinn it’s really important because the media finding out about Olivia and Fitz greatly impacts Olivia Pope and Associates and the business we run.
How do you think it will be for Mellie (Bellamy Young) especially with Fitz trying to get a divorce and now with the media all over this scandal?
I think this is one of the worst things that could have possibly happened because it’s very hard for Liv, Fitz, and Mellie to come back from something this catastrophic. The media finding out about their relationship affects Mellie’s career, her personal life, and how the public perceives her.
What was your initial reaction to finding out Quinn was going to get involved with B6-13 last season? Were you shocked that your character took that turn?
I was really, really, really, really, really excited! First of all, all of the actors that are involved in B6-13: Papa Pope, Jake Ballard, Charlie, Huck they are some of my favorite characters on the show, I was so excited to work with them. Also they are some of my favorite people so I was pumped! But was I shocked, yes. Watching Quinn’s arc, season one, season two, season three, season four it’s just so cool and such a testament to Shonda Rhimes writing. Her characters are never stuck, they’re always changing, evolving, learning, and contradicting themselves. It’s what makes them human.
How do you feel about Quinn and Huck’s relationship?
Huckleberry Quinn is one of my favorite things ever but of course I’m biased because Guillermo Diaz is one of my favorite people on the entire planet, he’s one of my best friends. I think their relationship is so awesome, but you can tell from the season finale last year things are really bad between them, the worst they’ve ever been. Unfortunately, I don’t know how they can come back from that, he’s responsible for killing seventeen people. I don’t know if Quinn is going to find it in herself to be okay with that.
I think there is a running theme where all of these characters are facing their worst fears. Quinn’s worst fear is that she’s not going to have any help because she can’t trust Huck or work with him anymore because he is a cold blooded killer. He’s killed seventeen people, this isn’t something we should take lightly, I know everybody loves Huck as a character I do too, but he did a really messed up thing. Similarly, like Quinn, this is Fitz, Liv, and Mellie this is their worst nightmare, having their relationship come out. It jeopardizes all of their working relationships for sure and their careers.
Aside from Quinn whose storyline are you most excited to watch unravel this season?
I’m really interested to see what’s going on with Cyrus (Jeff Perry) because I just can’t imagine a world where he’s kicked out of the White House. Cyrus lives, breathes, dies for the Fitz administration so I am so interested to see how he is going to exist in this season.
Obviously there have been a lot of crazy moments throughout the shows run so far. Were there any that you remember seeing the fans on Twitter go crazy with?
Oh my God, remember when we found out that Joe Morton was Liv’s dad? I felt like every technological device that I had, my iPhone, iPad, computer blew up and shutdown, it was totally insane. Similarly, every time that Huck and Quinn lick each other the fandom and twitter world go absolutely insane.
You can watch Katie on an all new episode of SCANDAL tonight at 9PM on ABC (City in Canada)