WASHINGTON – The lead character of the new TV series “Scandal” should seem familiar to Washington.

She’s based on the life of Judy Smith, the Washingtonian crisis management expert who advised the likes of Monica Lewinsky and Wesley Snipes.

Smith is no stranger to scandal. But she says not to expect plots ripped right from the headlines. The Hollywood version of her life will be strictly fictional.

“Scandal” is the latest offering from producer Shonda Rhimes, the mind behind “Grey’s Anatomy” and “Private Practice.”

“We worked for, really, two years on the scenes in developing the show,” Smith said.

Scandal premiers April 5 on ABC. Smith also will release a book about her life April 2 entitled “Good Self, Bad Self.”

WTOP’s Del Walters contributed to this report. Follow WTOP on Twitter.

(Copyright 2012 by WTOP. All Rights Reserved.)