— BASICS
Name: Katya Skardova
Age / D.O.B.: Forty-One Years Old. / 12.05.1984
Gender, pronouns & sexuality: CIS woman, she/her & heterosexual.
Hometown: Hudson, New York City.
Affiliation: Neutral.
Job position: News Anchor @ CBS New York.
Education: B.A. in Political Science at Harvard, M.A. in Journalism at Columbia.
Relationship status: Single.
Children: None.
Positive traits: polished, educated, empathetic, charismatic & perceptive
Negative traits: guarded, jaded, perfectionistic, work-obsessed & immorally flexible.
— BIOGRAPHY
TDLR; Katya is a CBS New York news anchor who grew up in a wealthy, politically connected family where appearances mattered more than affection. She broke away from an arranged engagement to build her own career, excelling in journalism and earning her reputation as a renowned political anchor on screen with a fresh take on the current happenings in New York. While successful, she remains guarded in her personal life, carrying the unfortunate weight of her family’s expectations and her own unending perfectionism. To her, being disliked often means she’s doing her job right. TRIGGERS; parental neglect, arranged marriage, infidelity, political aspirations.
Quote: She chose the art of being disliked, knowing that if they hated her, it meant she was doing her job right.
Katya Skardova grew up in a home where appearances were everything and affection, for the most part, was something that was seen as optional. There was never a day that it wasn't put on her and her siblings that they had a part to play in what felt like an on-air show at all times. Their own version of reality television, and they were both the watchers and the bystanders. Born into a very connected, well-established, politically tied family known as the Skardova's with whom had cultivated connections, money that far surpassed those of normal means.
Old money and Upper East Side roots saw the beginning of what could only be described as nepotism at it's best, Katya's childhood was a carefully curated performance every single day from the minute she was born. Paraded at events, dressed to impress for people she barely even knew, debutant balls, society galas, and absolutely, without a doubt, reminded constantly that her behavior reflected not only her but them. Their name. The Skardova's . Her father was well known to the White House. Katya learned early how to smile on cue and say the right words, even when they weren’t the truth. Even when she wanted to scream at the world that it was all for show. Fake, all of it.
All the time.
That sentiment started early in her life. She felt like she was trapped. But time would mould her, just as her parents had always planned. Her mother often telling Katya she'd felt the same once or twice. The Skardova parents, Lucille and Harold, expected all three children to excel, and they did. They had no choice.
Her older sister became a respected political journalist — her younger brother pursued a career prestigious enough to keep the family’s pride intact — what could be better than something politically aligned? A surgeon, of course. For Katya, the path was chosen before she could object...a fiancé handpicked from the right circles: Taron was for all intents and purposes, the picture perfect future husband. The circle they came from meant that they'd both fallen victim to their parents. And they bonded because, again, they had no choice.
She was a stellar academic, and it delighted her parents that she had an Ivy League education lined up before she’d finished high school. First she'd study political science at Columbia, followed by her master's in journalism. A road map she must follow. It was all in their trust funds and will inheritance. It was how they kept them.
She never had a chance, and there were no signs of escaping.
The first two years of college, she kept to the plan. No faulting, no failures, no disappointing her waiting parents. But at some point, she cracked. It wasn't the workload, she could do that with her eyes closed...but Taron. It just...didn't feel right. So when she broke off the engagement her family arranged, it sent shockwaves through their social circle. But not as bad as it did at home.
For Katya, it was the first time she chose her herself.
But...for Katya, it was also the first time she'd truly disappointed the only people she wished to impress at all times. They did what they always did when they didn't get their way. The silent treatment, pretending she didn't exist.
But they didn't realise it was also the first time she truly felt free.
At university, she thrived. Running the school paper, she finally began to carve a reputation for herself without her parents' influence. But she couldn't completely escape it, especially because people knew who she was. Both her parents were ivy educated, and Columbia, none the less. But still, she kept working on her commentary and no-nonsense reporting. Her professors praised her drive, and though her family resented her new-found independence, they couldn’t deny her constantly growing accolades.
She was doing it her way.
Before she knew it, she'd completed both her bachelor's and master's and then came the internships, political coverage, following campaigns to get the grunt work under her belt, starting in the news room simply following basic fall through stories and eventually, years later, a coveted seat at CBS New York. For seven years, she’s been a familiar face on screen, she's the no-nonsense sweetheart of the nation when it comes to giving you hard, unforgiving facts. Four arrests, and unfortunately, a name for going against the grain had since put more strain on the family. But she enjoys commanding attention. She enjoys being the voice of the people who need answers. Behind the camera, though, she’s less than polished: guarded to all future prospects entering her life, wary of intimacy, and often too tired to maintain the social life her family once demanded.
Katya has made herself a fixture in New York City — particularly the Upper East Side, though her home is now in Hudson in a beautiful penthouse suite that overlooks Grand Central. Now in her forties, Katya has the career she fought for, but her personal life remains seemingly fractured.
— EXTRAS
Star sign: Taurus.
Chinese zodiac animal: The Rat
Currently playing on her spotify: Solid Ground — Michael Kiwanuka.
Currently reading: The Picture of Dorian Gray by Oscar Wilde.
Favorite Movie: Just Mercy.
Favorite TV show: House of Cards.
Favorite Meal: Smoked Salmon Bagel with cream cheese.
Favorite Drink: Strawberry Lemonade.
Favorite Alcoholic Drink: Bourgogne Aligote Domaine Leroy 2009 — ( White Wine )
Dislikes: false tabloids, disingenuous people, family gatherings, wasted potential, cold coffee, the smell of cigars, bad cell service, being blindsided on air, airport delays, empty apologies, being left on read, influencers, watery cocktails, unanswered emails.
Likes: Chanel perfume, control, late-night walks in the city — especially Central Park, fresh flowers (peonies and lilies), clever political debates, unexpected tips, rare wine, the Hamptons, St. Barts, Ella Fitzgerald, Agnes Obel, old bookstores, jazz bars, art galleries, gold, political memoirs.
— WANTED CONNECTIONS / PLOTS
I was thinking there could be a journalist/anchor/politician/rival, etc who clashes with her on air or in print. It's like this on-going battle that neither will most likely win, but both parties think they will. In some ways, they respect each other. Both have the fight so many often lack — but there's also a very real tension that neither are able to shake.
Perhaps someone who knew her through her family’s old money / political background. Could be an ally, or someone who doesn't like her, or the way her family aligns politically, etc because they are on the same page with the parties they support. Maybe old beef, or a long time family feud?
A past relationship, colleague/connection that could have jeopardized her career in some way, shape, or form — idk, that can be discussed with the writer. Maybe the character was aligned with one of the gangs, and it put her in jeopardy with her job. Maybe they both still like each other from afar but know they can never be? (Love a bit of pining.)
Her ex-arranged marriage that she broke off because she didn't want the life their parents were mapping out for them. (think Christopher and Lorelai from Gilmore Girls but without the pregnancy)
Katya's assistant in the office.
Katya's filming crew for when they're on air, and the people that work in the office with her. Researchers, political correspondents, etc would create great plots to get the ball moving.
Someone tied to one of the gangs who tips her off or tests her neutrality.
Her ex partner who left her because work was taking over her life.
College best friend, who was the person who helped loosen her up.
