ABC has released Scandal season 3 character photos as well as a banner with the whole lead cast.

The Scandal season 3 photos are very telling. Each individual character photo – highlighting the lead characters who will play important roles as they have the past two seasons – shows the character dealing with rain. Half of the characters like Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) and the President of the United States (Tony Goldwyn) are smart enough to be sporting some umbrellas while the other half are just getting wet.

The rain falling on all of the characters is symbolic of the dreary conditions the characters will have to face when Scandal season 3 premieres Thursday, October 3 on ABC. Perhaps the characters who are holding umbrellas will be the ones able to protect themsleves from the metaphorical downpour. Interestingly, Mellie is embracing the rain.

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Also new is this great group photo showing the same characters gathered in one room surrounded by newspapers. Many of the headlines point out that Olivia Pope is the President’s mistress. The wall-to-wall media coverage (literally, it’s covering the walls) shows that Olivia Pope and Associates will be dealing with a hell of a lot of drama in season 3.

Click the photo to see it full size!

In late August we told you that former Friends star Lisa Kudrow has been cast in Scandal. Her role is still a secret.

Despite all of the trouble she’ll have to face, we’re sure Olivia will continue to sort it all out like the pro that she is.

Thanks to TV Line for the group photo.