United Kingdom, Oct. 13 -- Kerry Washington has credited her Scandal character Olivia Pope for helping her learn how to be a "leader in my life".

The 49-year-old actress starred as the White House communications director turned consulting firm fixer in Shonda Rhimes' Scandal from 2012 to 2018.

Despite taking on numerous projects since Scandal came to an end, Kerry is still arguably most famous for her portrayal of Olivia which, she said, also had a massive impact on her own life.

She told Defined magazine: "When I first started playing Olivia Pope I understood what power looked like and how it moved through the world, but I hadn't really stepped into my own power.

"She taught me how to be a leader in my life, in my home, in my career,...