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Thursday, April 08, 2010
Desperate Housewives Star Alleges Assault and Wrongful Termination
Sometimes the juiciest stories never end up on screen. Nicolette Sheridan, who played neighborhood bad girl Edie Britt on ABC’s hit show “Desperate Housewives” for five seasons, filed a lawsuit this week that claims the actress was hit in the face by show creator Marc Cherry and then fired in retaliation for complaining about him. Sheridan also alleges that she was the victim of assault and battery, gender violence, sexual discrimination, and a hostile work environment. Sheridan, whose character was killed off of the show last year, is suing for $20 million, alleging that her termination from the show caused damage to her finances and professional reputation.
The lawsuit, filled with claims of violence and verbal abuse, reads like one of the “Desperate Housewives” scripts. Sheridan claims that Cherry directed his anger at cast and crew members after she went above his head to complain to ABC executives. Cherry even allegedly lashed out at Sheridan’s onscreen nemesis, Terri Hatcher, when he told Sheridan, “I hope Teri Hatcher gets hit by a car and dies,” according to the lawsuit. ABC Studios, who produces “Desperate Housewives,” says they investigated claims alleged by Sheridan last year but found them to be without merit.
The actress claims that she tried to discuss her issues with Cherry in a private meeting during the summer of 2008, but Cherry told Sheridan at that time he did not have any problem with her performances or quality of work. Yet that following September 24 during a rehearsal, Cherry allegedly exploded and “forcefully hit her with his hand across the face and head” after she had inquired about something that was in the script. Sheridan erupted, according to the lawsuit, allegedly yelling back at the producer, “You just hit me in the head! That is not okay! THAT is not okay!” Cherry tried to apologize to the Sheridan, but still his behavior worsened.
In February 2009, the actress was informed that her character was going to be killed off. Lawyers for Sheridan claim that she was a victim of retaliation for complaining to ABC about the fight that occurred earlier that fall since none of the other lead housewives were to be killed off or written out of the show.
Marc Cherry has declined to make any comments in regard to the lawsuit while former coworkers of Sheridan’s, like Eva Langoria-Parker, have stated that they are surprised and shocked by the allegations of discrimination and abuse.
Sometimes the juiciest stories never end up on screen. Nicolette Sheridan, who played neighborhood bad girl Edie Britt on ABC’s hit show “Desperate Housewives” for five seasons, filed a lawsuit this week that claims the actress was hit in the face by show creator Marc Cherry and then fired in retaliation for complaining about him. Sheridan also alleges that she was the victim of assault and battery, gender violence, sexual discrimination, and a hostile work environment. Sheridan, whose character was killed off of the show last year, is suing for $20 million, alleging that her termination from the show caused damage to her finances and professional reputation.
The lawsuit, filled with claims of violence and verbal abuse, reads like one of the “Desperate Housewives” scripts. Sheridan claims that Cherry directed his anger at cast and crew members after she went above his head to complain to ABC executives. Cherry even allegedly lashed out at Sheridan’s onscreen nemesis, Terri Hatcher, when he told Sheridan, “I hope Teri Hatcher gets hit by a car and dies,” according to the lawsuit. ABC Studios, who produces “Desperate Housewives,” says they investigated claims alleged by Sheridan last year but found them to be without merit.
The actress claims that she tried to discuss her issues with Cherry in a private meeting during the summer of 2008, but Cherry told Sheridan at that time he did not have any problem with her performances or quality of work. Yet that following September 24 during a rehearsal, Cherry allegedly exploded and “forcefully hit her with his hand across the face and head” after she had inquired about something that was in the script. Sheridan erupted, according to the lawsuit, allegedly yelling back at the producer, “You just hit me in the head! That is not okay! THAT is not okay!” Cherry tried to apologize to the Sheridan, but still his behavior worsened.
In February 2009, the actress was informed that her character was going to be killed off. Lawyers for Sheridan claim that she was a victim of retaliation for complaining to ABC about the fight that occurred earlier that fall since none of the other lead housewives were to be killed off or written out of the show.
Marc Cherry has declined to make any comments in regard to the lawsuit while former coworkers of Sheridan’s, like Eva Langoria-Parker, have stated that they are surprised and shocked by the allegations of discrimination and abuse.