against series creator Marc Cherry, who she says slapped her during an argument over the script. Though I have zero knowledge of fault in this matter, it’s especially interesting that ABC/Touchstone won’t settle to save face. Perhaps they don’t want to set a precedent. Here’s a legal timeline of the Tinseltown tiff.
2009: Nicollette Sheridan’s character Was Killed Off Desperate Housewives
Sheridan alleged to have “quit” the show, but her unkind words in the press were perhaps a precursor of things to come. Sheridan said, “When the show started it was such a different beast. It was exciting and dangerous and funny and edgy and bizarre. It started feeling a little complacent, and that was very frustrating.” Marc Cherry responded in kind, saying, “Edie’s already slept with most of the guys on the street and has caused about as many problems as she could.” He also said his decision was largely due to the network’s pressure to cut costs.
APRIL, 2010: Sheridan Sues Series Creator Marc Cherry and ABC/Touchstone TV
Sheridan sues Marc Cherry, the series creator of ‘Desperate Housewives,’ alleging battery, gender violence, wrongful termination, and “intentional infliction of emotional distress.”According to Sheridan, she questioned Cherry about his script, and he slapped her in a fit of rage. She reported his actions to ABC and she was fired in retaliation. ABC Studios responded, saying, “While we have yet to see the actual complaint, we investigated similar claims made by Ms. Sheridan last year and found them to be without merit.”
MARCH 2012: Battery Charge Against Marc Cherry Dropped
Marc Cherry was released from the case after the battery charge was dropped. According to the Judge, “the battery claim did not meet the standards of workman’s compensation statutes that apply to these matters.”
MARCH, 2012: The Jury is Locked
A jury of 12 could not reach a verdict, and after an 8-4 deadlock with no settlement in sight, the Judge declared a mistrial. The jury foreman told the court that the 8-4 split was in Sheridan’s favor.
OCTOBER, 2013: Sheridan Loses Bid for Retrial
LA Superior Judge Michael Stern sided with ABC/Touchstone TV and granted a summary judgment dismissing Sheridan’s attempt for a new trial. He ruled based on Sheridan not filing a complaint with the California Labor Commission within six months of the September 2008 incident.
JUNE, 2016: Sheridan Gets New Trial
An LA Superior Court Judge decided that Sheridan can get a new trial. An Amendment to the rules in 2013 helped her case, most notably when an appeals court stated, “there is no requirement that an individual exhaust administrative remedies or procedures.”