Kerry Washington Reveals She 'Never' Did a 'Chemistry Read' with Tony Goldwyn for “Scandal ”(Exclusive)

The Emmy-winning actress, producer and activist spoke to PEOPLE at a lunch for Chanel and Tribeca's Through Her Lens program where she also lauded 'Scandal' creator Shonda Rhimes

According to Kerry Washington, you can consider the chemistry handled.

On Friday, June 7, Chanel and Tribeca’s Jane Rosenthal hosted a special afternoon to celebrate Through Her Lens: The Tribeca Chanel Women’s Filmmaker Program in New York City, and Washington spoke to PEOPLE about her love for Scandal creator Shonda Rhimes.

"Always happy to talk about Shonda!" said Washington, 47, who famously played D.C. fixer Olivia Pope on the ABC series that ran from 2012 to 2018.

Rhimes is also the mastermind behind Netflix's wildly popular Bridgerton series, the leads of which are famous for their onscreen connections much like Washington and her Scandal costar Tony Goldwyn (President Fitzgerald Grant).

Nicola Coughlan, who plays Penelope Featherington and is the current female star of Bridgerton's third season, has said that she never did a chemistry test with her male costar Luke Newton, instead crediting Rhimes for her talented eye.

Related: Kerry Washington and Tony Goldwyn Playfully Recreate Scandal Moment: 'Olitz Is Ready for You'

Washington then corroborated the story.

"I never did a chemistry read with Tony," she revealed, agreeing that the chemistry between her and Goldwyn was simply always there.

During an appearance on PEOPLE in 10 on June 6, Goldwyn, 64, shared how he's been making a case for Washington to make an appearance on his latest TV venture: Law & Order.

"I'm all for it," he said of a potential cameo and laughed, "I have been sort of needling her about it."

Washington, for her part, shares that she's equally as game.

"I will go anywhere Tony tells me to go," she told PEOPLE at the June 7 event.

Related: Tony Goldwyn Admits to 'Needling' Scandal Costar Kerry Washington to Appear on Law & Order: 'I'm All for It' (Exclusive)

Washington also serves on the Through Her Lens program’s advisory committee, and she hosted a panel after the luncheon on Friday alongside director, writer and producer Patty Jenkins and five-time Emmy-winning composer Laura Karpman.

Katie Holmes, Selma Blair and Christy Turlington were also in attendance at the luncheon, as were Joey King, Jenny Slate and Emily Mortimer.  

Related: Chanel Opened a Store on N.Y.C.'s 5th Avenue and Everyone Was There — See the Photos

The Through Her Lens mentorship program provides industry support, artistic development and funding to emerging women and non-binary filmmakers in the United States, according to a press release.

Now, in its ninth year, the program helps its finalists hone their short-film projects throughout a three-day workshop each fall, with the winner ultimately receiving a grant to produce their film with guidance from Tribeca.

Rosenthal, 67, co-founded the 23-year-strong fest with Robert De Niro and Craig Hatkoff following the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks. This year, De Niro will be honored with his very own convention, taking place in New York City from June 14 to 16.

"When [De Niro] sees the fifth floor at Spring Studios, that's when it will be real to me," Rosenthal told PEOPLE at the luncheon of bringing the convention to life.

Aptly called De Niro Con, the celebration will honor the 80-year-old screen legend with a program consisting of special screenings, panels and exhibits.

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The 2024 Tribeca Film Festival runs June 5 through 16.

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