The cast of Scandal, including star Kerry Washington

More4's latest US import Scandal is created by Shonda Rhimes, the woman behind hugely successful medical dramas, Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice. That alone should give you an indication of what to expect.

Inspired by a real-life consultant, the series stars Kerry Washington (best known here for her role in Oscar-winning movie, Ray) as crisis management expert, Olivia Pope.

But the big deal here is that Ms Washington is the first black female leading a major US network show in 38 years. And maybe that's the real scandal; why has it taken so long?

Show business is precisely that; a show - business. It's all about the bottom line for broadcasters, and the perception remains that TV programmes starring minorities will not rate well.

Nevertheless, Scandal passed its first big test; it survived an entire season on a US network. Its reward is renewal. Let's hope it can repeat this feat in the UK, especially as the central character is - on the whole - a positive role model.

In the US, Scandal has been well-received and as it arrives in the UK, we take a look at the main players in this gallery.