Scandal Season 4 Spoilers: Darby Stanchfield Previews Abby's Abusive Ex-Husband's Appearance

Scandal viewers know Abby Whelan was involved in an arranged political marriage before she joined Olivia Pope's team. Her husband, Charles Putney, abused her until Olivia rescued her and brought her into the fold.

Fans have never seen Charles, but Michael Trucco will bring the character to the screen on tonight's Season 4 episode. Actress Darby Stanchfield spoke to EW.com and revealed how his arrival affects her character.

"It's pretty great because you think Abby has really gotten on with her life-and she has, she's pulled herself up and Olivia's helped her get out of it-but as soon as he's even mentioned, she goes back into this behavioral pattern of what it was like when she was with him, of talking softly and feeling unsafe, just all of those characteristics," she said. "It also just gave me an insight into what Abby used to be like being around him now. Abby pretty much talks at full volume in your face, but when we did the scenes when they're together, there's a lot less eye contact and a lot more of making herself feel small."

Moreover, the episode shows how abuse victims deal with situations like this.

"It's such a revealing and beautiful episode that Shonda [Rhimes] and the writers wrote," Stanchfield said. "It tells a specific story of the abuse victim and all of the PTSD and all of the symptoms that go along with someone who has been abused. There are multiple things, like feeling like they're not safe, being paranoid and physically hiding."

For more from the actress, check out the full interview here.