Jake Ballard Not Returning In 'Scandal' Season 5?

It's less than three months before "Scandal" season 5 premieres, and there are still speculations on whether or not Jake Ballard, played by Scott Foley, will be returning in the upcoming season of the political thriller.

According to Celeb Dirty Laundry, Jake Ballard's return to "Scandal" season 5 is allegedly compromised because of his feud with the show's star Kerry Washington, who plays Washington DC crisis management expert Olivia Pope.

"Sources say Kerry Washington's tense relationship with on-screen boyfriend Scott Foley is what got his character riddled with stab wounds on the season finale," a source reportedly told Star Magazine. "While Scott has assured fans that he will be back next season, he also has hinted that Shonda Rhimes said the end is near."

"Kerry is a very take-charge gal, but Scott is a veteran actor with his own opinions, and many of them rubbed Kerry the wrong way. Scott knows that Kerry is tight with Shonda, so he sees the writing on the wall. He wouldn't be surprised if he got killed off early this fall."

Did Scott and Kerry's feud translate to any uncomfortable situations around the set?

"The subject of the show's dancing scenes came up," L.A. Times wrote about an Envelope Screening Series presentation featuring the "Scandal" stars.

"While Washington talked about how much fun it was to shoot, Foley looked uncomfortable. Maybe not so much fun for him, he said."

Jake Ballard is one of the most popular characters on the show. But character popularity doesn't seem to stop Shonda Rhimes from killing off characters in her shows. Ironically, Scott Foley's character was also killed off in "Grey's Anatomy," so his character not appearing on "Scandal" season 5 may not be impossible.

Moreover, not having Scott Foley on the next season will probably not come as a surprise to viewers.

"While fans love Foley's character Jake Ballard, the season finale of Scandal showed Jake saying goodbye to Olivia as he told her to go get the man she truly loved, President Fitzgerald Grant," Inquisitr wrote.

"Scandal" season 5 premieres in September.