She is hoping to start a new chapter in her life - both professionally and personally - but she can't seem to completely cut ties with her past. Slowly it becomes apparent that her dysfunctional staff, who specialises in fixing other people's lives, can't quite fix the ones closest at hand - their own. The creator and executive producers of Grey's Anatomy and Private Practice delve into the behind-the-scenes machinations of a mesmerising top image-maker and crisis manager in ABC's highly anticipated new drama, The Fixer (titled Scandal in US).

Pope's accomplished staff, who would follow her anywhere and do whatever it takes to save someone's reputation, include Stephen Finch (Henry Ian Cusick), who has dated his share of women but is trying to settle down and have a family; Harrison Wright (Columbus Short), a slick litigator; Huck (Guillermo Diaz), hacker extraordinaire; investigator Abby Whelan (Darby Stanchfield), who has an enduring crush on Stephen; and Quinn Perkins (Katie Lowes), the new young woman in the office who is in awe of Pope, but is initiated in a trial by fire on her very first day on the job.

Pope's former boss, President Fitzgerald Grant (Tony Goldwyn) and his chief of staff, Cyrus (Jeff Perry), are never far from her beat. Her clients aren't the only ones with secrets, though; surprisingly, she may need to exercise all her damage control skills on her own behalf.

The Fixer was written by Shonda Rhimes. Rhimes and Betsy Beers are executive producers while Judy Smith is the co-executive producer. Paul McGuigan is the director.

It airs from Tuesday, 1 April at 21:30 on SABC3.