Columbus Short Won't Return for SCANDAL's Fourth Season

When ABC's SCANDAL returns for its fourth season in the fall, Olivia Pope's team of fixers will be short one member.

According to Deadline, Columbus Short has announced he'll be exiting Shonda Rhimes' hit drama. The news comes after his wife brought domestic abuse claims against him, in which he allegedly threatened to kill them both with a knife.

"At this time I must confirm my Exit from a show I've called home for 3 years, with what is the most talented ensemble on television today," Short said in a statement released this afternoon. "I would like to first thank Shonda Rhimes for the opportunity to work with such an amazing cast. Thank you GLADIATORS, who have supported me throughout my entire career and of course to ABC and Shondaland for allowing me to play such a pivotal role in the Scandal series. I have enjoyed every single minute of it. Everything must come to an end and unfortunately the time has come for Harrison Wright to Exit the canvas. I wish nothing but the best for Shonda, Kerry and the rest of the cast, who have become like a second family to me in such a short amount of time. For this, I will forever be grateful."

Everyone has secrets... and Olivia Pope (Kerry Washington) has dedicated her life to protecting and defending the public images of the nation's elite by keeping those secrets under wraps. Pope's team are at the top of their game when it comes to getting the job done for their clients, but it becomes apparent that these "gladiators in suits," who specialize in fixing the lives of other people, have trouble fixing those closest at hand -- their own.

"Scandal" stars Kerry Washington ("Ray") as Olivia Pope, Columbus Short ("Stomp the Yard") as Harrison Wright, Guillermo Diaz ("Half-Baked") as Huck, Darby Stanchfield as Abby Whelan, Katie Lowes as Quinn Perkins, Tony Goldwyn ("Ghost") as President Fitzgerald Grant, Jeff Perry ("Grey's Anatomy") as Cyrus, Bellamy Young as First Lady Mellie Grant, Joshua Malina ("West Wing") as David Rosen and Scott Foley ("Felicity") as Captain Jake Ballard.

The series is created by Shonda Rhimes ("Grey's Anatomy," "Private Practice"). Shonda Rhimes, Betsy Beers ("Grey's Anatomy," "Private Practice") and Mark Wilding are executive producers. Judy Smith is co-executive producer. "Scandal" is produced by ABC Studios and is broadcast in 720 Progressive (720P), ABC's selected HDTV format, with 5.1-channel sound.