When *Scandal* premiered in 2012, it quickly became a cultural phenomenon, thanks to Kerry Washington’s powerhouse performance as Olivia Pope and Shonda Rhimes’ signature blend of political intrigue, steamy romance, and high-stakes drama. But among the show’s ensemble of sharp-suited fixers and morally ambiguous politicians, one character stood out for her sheer unpredictability: Susan Ross, portrayed by the brilliant Artemis Pebdani.
Pebdani’s role as the eccentric, fast-talking, and often hilarious Vice Presidential candidate (and later VP) was a masterclass in scene-stealing. Though Susan Ross wasn’t a main character, her presence was so electric that fans clamored for more—proving that sometimes, the most memorable performances come from the most unexpected places.
In this deep dive, we’ll explore:
- How Artemis Pebdani landed the role and her acting background
- A full breakdown of Susan Ross’ character arc and significance in *Scandal*
- The real-life political parallels that made Susan Ross feel eerily relevant
- Behind-the-scenes stories and Pebdani’s improvisation skills
- Why Susan Ross became a fan-favorite despite limited screen time
- Pebdani’s career before and after *Scandal*
- The legacy of Susan Ross in TV’s portrayal of women in politics
Who Is Artemis Pebdani? The Rising Star Before *Scandal*
Before she became a household name as Susan Ross, Artemis Pebdani was already a respected character actress with a knack for playing quirky, memorable roles. Born in Tehran, Iran, and raised in the U.S., Pebdani’s journey to Hollywood was anything but conventional.
Early Life and Career Beginnings
Pebdani’s family emigrated from Iran to the United States when she was a child, settling in California. She developed an early love for performance, studying theater at the University of California, Irvine, before honing her craft in improv and sketch comedy. Her breakthrough came in the early 2000s with roles in:
- *It’s Always Sunny in Philadelphia* (2006) – A recurring role as Carmen, the ill-fated love interest of Dennis Reynolds.
- *The Mindy Project* (2012) – Playing the sharp-tongued Dr. Nina Savik.
- *Gilmore Girls* (2005) – A guest spot as a quirky townsperson.
These roles showcased her ability to balance humor and depth—skills that would later make Susan Ross so compelling.
The *Scandal* Audition: How Pebdani Landed the Role
Pebdani’s casting as Susan Ross was a stroke of genius by *Scandal*’s casting directors. In interviews, she’s revealed that the role was originally written as a more traditional political figure—until she brought her own unique spin to the audition.
According to Pebdani, she improvised much of Susan’s fast-paced, erratic speech patterns during her audition, which immediately caught the attention of Shonda Rhimes. Rhimes, known for her love of strong, unconventional female characters, saw potential in Pebdani’s interpretation and rewrote parts of Susan’s arc to fit her energy.
This collaborative approach is a hallmark of Rhimes’ shows, where actors often shape their characters. Pebdani’s background in improv (she was a member of the Upright Citizens Brigade in Los Angeles) gave her the confidence to take risks—a quality that defined Susan Ross.
Susan Ross: The Most Unpredictable Character in *Scandal*
Susan Ross was introduced in Season 4 of *Scandal* as a Republican Senator from New York running for Vice President alongside Mellie Grant’s (Bellamy Young) presidential campaign. From her first scene, it was clear she was unlike any other political figure on the show.
Personality and Traits: Why Susan Stood Out
Susan Ross was a whirlwind of contradictions:
- Brilliant but chaotic – She had a photographic memory and a razor-sharp political mind but delivered her insights in rapid, disjointed bursts.
- Unapologetically ambitious – Unlike Mellie, who masked her ambition behind Southern charm, Susan wore hers proudly, even when it made her unlikable.
- Socially awkward – Her lack of filter led to hilarious (and sometimes cringe-worthy) moments, like her infamous "I’m not a monster" rant in Season 5.
- Surprisingly vulnerable – Beneath the bravado, Susan had moments of deep insecurity, particularly about her public image.
Pebdani’s performance walked a tightrope between comedy and tragedy, making Susan one of the most human characters in a show full of larger-than-life personalities.
Key Storylines: Susan’s Arc from VP Candidate to Vice President
Susan’s journey on *Scandal* was marked by highs and lows, often mirroring real-life political scandals. Here’s a breakdown of her most pivotal moments:
Season 4: The Rise of a Political Wildcard
Susan was introduced as Mellie Grant’s running mate, chosen for her policy expertise and lack of personal scandals—a rarity in *Scandal*’s world. However, her unorthodox demeanor immediately clashed with the polished image Mellie wanted to project.
One of her earliest standout scenes was her debate performance, where she accidentally revealed classified information due to her inability to filter her thoughts. This moment set the tone for her character: brilliant but self-sabotaging.
Season 5: The "I’m Not a Monster" Meltdown
Susan’s most iconic moment came in Season 5, Episode 10 ("It’s Good to Be Kink"), when she delivered a manic, tearful monologue defending her actions after a political misstep. The line “I’m not a monster! I’m just a person who makes mistakes!” became an instant fan favorite, showcasing Pebdani’s ability to blend humor and pathos.
This scene was largely improvised, with Pebdani drawing from her own experiences with self-doubt. The rawness of the performance made Susan relatable, despite her often unlikable behavior.
Season 6: Vice President Susan Ross
After Mellie won the presidency, Susan became Vice President—a role she approached with her usual mix of brilliance and chaos. Her tenure was cut short, however, when she was implicated in a conspiracy involving the assassination of Frank Vargas (a storyline that mirrored real-life political intrigue).
Her exit from the show was abrupt, leaving fans wanting more. Many believed Susan’s potential was underutilized, a sentiment Pebdani herself has echoed in interviews.
Susan Ross and Real-Life Politics: Why She Felt So Real
One of the reasons Susan Ross resonated with audiences was her uncanny resemblance to real-life political figures. *Scandal* often drew from current events, and Susan’s character was no exception.
The Sarah Palin Comparison
Many fans and critics drew parallels between Susan Ross and Sarah Palin, the former Alaska Governor and 2008 Republican VP candidate. Like Palin, Susan was:
- A female politician in a male-dominated field.
- Known for her unconventional speaking style (Palin’s “word salad” vs. Susan’s rapid-fire tangents).
- A polarizing figure—loved by some, dismissed by others.
However, Pebdani has clarified that while the comparison is flattering, Susan was not directly based on Palin. Instead, she was a satirical amalgamation of political archetypes.
The 2016 Election and Susan’s Relevance
Susan’s tenure on *Scandal* (2014–2017) coincided with the rise of Donald Trump’s political career and the 2016 U.S. election. Her character’s lack of filter, media savvy, and controversial statements mirrored the real-life political climate, where traditional rules of engagement were being rewritten.
In one episode, Susan accidentally live-tweets classified information, a nod to the social media blunders that became commonplace in politics. This kind of meta-commentary made *Scandal* feel urgently relevant.
Women in Politics: Susan as a Flawed but Necessary Figure
Susan Ross was part of a growing trend in TV: complex female politicians who defied stereotypes. Unlike Mellie Grant (the poised, strategic First Lady-turned-President) or Olivia Pope (the power broker behind the scenes), Susan was messy, flawed, and unapologetically herself.
This made her a refreshing contrast to the “perfect” female characters often seen in political dramas. She wasn’t a heroine—she was a realistic portrayal of ambition, insecurity, and resilience.
Behind the Scenes: Artemis Pebdani’s Process and Improvisation
Much of Susan Ross’ magic came from Artemis Pebdani’s improvisational skills and collaborative dynamic with the *Scandal* writers. Here’s a look at how she brought the character to life.
Improvising Susan’s Iconic Lines
Pebdani’s background in improv comedy (she trained at Upright Citizens Brigade and The Groundlings) allowed her to ad-lib many of Susan’s most memorable lines. For example:
- Her rapid-fire policy explanations were often partially improvised, with Pebdani drawing from real political jargon.
- The “I’m not a monster” speech was a mix of scripted dialogue and Pebdani’s own emotional delivery.
- Her awkward interactions with Mellie (Bellamy Young) were enhanced by the two actresses’ off-screen chemistry.
This spontaneity made Susan feel unscripted and real, a rarity in a show as tightly plotted as *Scandal*.
Working with Shonda Rhimes and the Writers
Shonda Rhimes is known for her hands-on approach to character development, and Pebdani’s experience was no exception. Rhimes encouraged her to:
- Bring her own spin to Susan’s dialogue.
- Push the character’s eccentricities further than originally written.
- Collaborate on backstory to make Susan feel three-dimensional.
In an interview with *The A.V. Club*, Pebdani revealed that Rhimes would often rewrite scenes overnight based on her improvisations, a testament to the showrunner’s adaptability.
The Challenge of Playing an Unlikable Character
Susan Ross was not always sympathetic—she was selfish, manipulative, and often her own worst enemy. Pebdani had to walk a fine line between making her funny enough to root for but flawed enough to feel real.
Her solution? Finding Susan’s vulnerability. In scenes where Susan was at her lowest (like her post-meltdown apology to Mellie), Pebdani infused the performance with genuine remorse, making audiences empathize despite her flaws.
Why Fans Obsessed Over Susan Ross (Despite Limited Screen Time)
Susan Ross was never a series regular, yet she became one of *Scandal*’s most beloved and quoted characters. Here’s why audiences connected with her so deeply.
The Relatability of Her Flaws
Unlike the glamorous, hyper-competent Olivia Pope or the calculating Cyrus Beene, Susan was a hot mess—and fans loved her for it. Her struggles with:
- Imposter syndrome (“I don’t belong here.”)
- Public perception (“They think I’m a monster.”)
- Self-sabotage (accidentally leaking secrets)
made her feel human in a show full of superhumans.
Memes, Quotes, and Cultural Impact
Susan Ross spawned some of *Scandal*’s most quotable moments, many of which became viral memes and GIFs:
- “I’m not a monster! I’m just a person who makes mistakes!” – Used in countless reaction posts about public figures.
- “I have a photographic memory. I remember everything. Even the bad stuff.” – A fan-favorite line that highlighted her tragic backstory.
- Her debate face – A widely shared GIF of her wide-eyed, manic expression during a political discussion.
These moments cemented Susan’s place in pop culture lore, proving that even minor characters can leave a major impact.
The “What If?” Factor: Fans Wanted More
Many viewers felt Susan’s storyline was cut short. After her abrupt exit in Season 6, fans took to social media to express their disappointment, with hashtags like #JusticeForSusanRoss trending.
Pebdani herself has acknowledged the missed opportunities, suggesting in interviews that Susan could have:
- Had a redemption arc as VP.
- Clashed more with Cyrus Beene (Jeff Perry) in a battle of wits.
- Explored her relationship with her family (hinted at but never fully developed).
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