10 Wild Behind-the-Scenes Stories From Desperate Housewives

Desperate Housewives was packed with all sorts of cheating scandals, shocking deaths, fake smiles, and neighborhood secrets. But as it turns out, Wisteria Lane was just as messy when the cameras weren’t rolling.

Here are 10 of the craziest facts and stories behind the making of Desperate Housewives.

1. The show almost never made it to TV

It’s crazy to think about now, but Desperate Housewives was reportedly rejected by six different networks before ABC finally saw the potential. That means CBS, NBC, Fox, HBO, Showtime, and Lifetime all passed on a series that would go on to become one of the biggest TV hits of the 2000s. ABC ended up getting the last laugh because the show helped completely turn the network’s fortunes around.

2. It started out as a much lighter idea

The series, as we know it, wasn’t originally a murder-filled suburban soap with a dollop of dark humor. Early on, the idea was much closer to a half-hour sitcom, with a lighter tone and less overarching drama. Somewhere along the way, that concept turned into an hour-long dramedy with a nice, sharp edge and quite a few mysteries.

3. The casting process had its own mini soap opera

Felicity Huffman really wanted to play Lynette Scavo, but didn’t think she should have to audition like the rest of the peasants and wanted the role handed to her outright. She did eventually audition, and, of course, the producers were so impressed that she got the part immediately. Could have used a bit less attitude, but it is what it is. Eva Longoria, meanwhile, was the first actress officially cast, which makes sense in hindsight because Gabrielle Solis became one of the show’s most memorable characters. And in one of the great TV what-ifs, Julia Louis-Dreyfus was eyeing the role of Susan Mayer, but ABC didn’t think she was right for the role. Worst. Decision. Ever.

4. Wisteria Lane was already a TV veteran

Did you know that the iconic street wasn’t created just for Desperate Housewives? This set is quite old by movie-making standards and has been around since 1946. If you look closely enough, you can tell that it appeared in shows like Leave It to Beaver and The Munsters. So while Wisteria Lane looked like all brand-spanking new, it already had plenty of Hollywood mileage on it before our desperate housewives moved in.