Now, nearly two decades since Wisteria Lane first aired, the facade has truly crumbled.
From left to right in the now-iconic photo: Nicollette Sheridan (Edie Britt), Marcia Cross (Bree Van de Kamp), Eva Longoria (Gabrielle Solis), Felicity Huffman (Lynette Scavo), and Teri Hatcher (Susan Mayer). Together they redefined TV drama. But when the cameras stopped rolling, so did the illusion of harmony.
The Photoshoot That Changed Everything
It began with a seemingly simple Vanity Fair cover shoot in 2005. But what was supposed to be a celebration of the show’s massive success turned into a nuclear meltdown of egos, favoritism, and alleged sabotage.
According to insiders, Teri Hatcher was originally meant to stand in the center — a visual representation of her character’s perceived status as the show’s “lead.” But the other women were reportedly furious. So furious, in fact, that it ended with Eva Longoria and Nicollette Sheridan storming off and producers being called in to “mediate” on set.
The final cover featured all five, but whispers of who “demanded to see proofs,” who “refused to stand next to whom,” and who “cried in the trailer” continued for years.
“After that day, nothing was the same,” said one former stylist who worked on the shoot. “The cracks were permanent.”
Racism Claims and a Divided Set
Years later, things took an even darker turn when allegations of racism emerged from within the set. Though details remained murky, reports circulated that crew members and even cast were divided along racial lines — with Eva Longoria reportedly feeling increasingly isolated.
“She fought hard to be heard,” a source told *DailyMail+. “But sometimes it felt like the old-school Hollywood machine was still trying to typecast her as just ‘the sexy Latina.’ She pushed back — and that didn’t sit well with everyone.”
Nicollette Sheridan’s Explosive Exit
In 2009, Nicollette Sheridan left the show — or was pushed out, depending on who you ask. Her character was unceremoniously killed off in a freak accident involving a power line, but the real story behind the scenes was far more charged.
Sheridan would later sue creator Marc Cherry for wrongful termination, alleging assault and a toxic work environment. Although her claims were ultimately dismissed in court, the damage was done.
“She was labeled ‘difficult,’” said one insider, “but what no one wanted to admit was that she was also the most honest about what was happening on that set.”
Teri Hatcher: Alone, Uninvited, and "Dating Her Cat"
As the years passed and former castmates gathered for press events, charity galas, and reunion dinners, one face was consistently missing: Teri Hatcher.
Despite being the show’s breakout star in its first few seasons, Hatcher was reportedly alienated by the rest of the cast. Eva Longoria herself once admitted that Hatcher was “not invited” to a group farewell gift the others gave to the crew after the final season.
“She was always on the outside,” said one former crew member. “And it wasn’t just the other women — even some of the staff were told to ‘keep their distance.’”
Hatcher, meanwhile, has largely disappeared from the spotlight. In a 2022 interview, she jokingly remarked she was “dating her cat,” and seemed more at ease than ever. But fans couldn’t help but notice the sadness between the lines.
Felicity Huffman’s Legal Fall
Felicity Huffman’s post-Wisteria trajectory took a dramatic downturn in 2019, when she became the face of the infamous college admissions scandal. Her mugshot was splashed across tabloids, and her career came to a screeching halt.
Though she served only 11 days in prison, the stain remains. And while some castmates offered public support, others — notably Hatcher — stayed silent.
Who Still Wants a Reunion?
Despite the acrimony, there’s still one voice pushing for a return to Wisteria Lane: Eva Longoria.
The actress-turned-producer has spoken openly about wanting a Desperate Housewives reboot, though she admits the logistics — and the emotional wounds — may never allow it.
“We had magic,” she told ET in 2024. “But magic can be messy.”
In the end, the Desperate Housewives were as desperate behind the scenes as they were in front of the camera — desperate for respect, desperate to be heard, desperate to survive the pressures of fame, aging, and being a woman in Hollywood.
Wisteria Lane may be fiction. But the fallout was all too real.
