Scandal Season 4 Spoilers: Who Makes Shocking Return in Midseason Finale?

News broke recently that a character would make a surprising return in the midseason finale of Season 4 of Scandal, but the identity of that character was kept secret. But now the secret is out.

The "Spoiler Room" column at EW.com visited the set of the show and reported the following news last week.

"I'm jealous you were on the Scandal set. Can you offer up any juicy scoop? - Jen
My visit to the set happened to coincide with the cast coming out of the table read for the midseason finale. Plenty of familiar faces will make an appearance in it, but I was particularly shocked by one guest star among the crowd. While I can't divulge the identity of said person, I can say you will be surprised by his or her return."

But TVLine has let the cat out of the bag and revealed that the episode, entitled "Where the Sun Don't Shine," features the return of Khandi Alexander as Olivia Pope's mother Maya.

We last saw Mama Pope in the Season 3 finale when Rowan, her husband and Olivia's father, framed her for the murder of the President's son. Rowan then threw her into "the hole" where B613 keeps its most dangerous prisoners.

The episode will air on Thursday, November 20.

How and why do you think Maya returns to the Scandal world? Does she somehow escape the hole, or does Rowan let her out? Or will she just appear inside the prison? Let us know in the comments section.