The casting of Olivia Pope's mother? ABC has it handled.

Following the bombshell dropped on Scandal Season 3 Episode 5, The Hollywood Reporter confirms that veteran actress Khandi Alexander has been cast as the woman who brought Olivia into this Gladiator-filled world.

She will first appear via flashbacks on this Thursday's new installment of Scandal Season 3.

Alexander has starred on Newsradio and CSI: Miami and currently plays a key role on HBO's Treme, which kicks off Season 4 on December 1.

Scandal Season 3 airs Thursdays at 10/9c on ABC.

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