Scott Foley Promoted to Scandal Series Regular

ABC has made it official: Scott Foley will be a series regular on Scandal Season 3.

The beloved actor was introduced as Jake Ballard toward the end of Season 2, coming on board as a mysterious character who grew especially close to Kerry Washington's Olivia.

We can't say for sure what Jake will be up to in the fall, of course, but Foley can say he's very excited to find out along with us.

“I’m thrilled to join such a talented, enthusiastic and professional group of people,” he said in a statement. “Shonda [Rhimes] and company have created a troupe of layered complex characters and to be able to be part of that is both exciting and humbling.”

Scandal returns with new episodes in September.

Matt Richenthal is the Editor in Chief of TV Fanatic. Follow him on Twitter and on Google+.