Desperate Housewives (2004)
Marc Cherry's darkly comic mystery drama that peeled back the manicured lawns of suburbia to reveal the secrets, scandals, and surprising humanity underneath.
Desperate Housewives - Series Information
- Original Title: Desperate Housewives
- First Air Year: 2004
- Last Air Year: 2012
- Created by: Marc Cherry
- Type: TV Series
- Genres: Mystery, Drama, Comedy
- Content Rating (US): TV-14
- Number of Seasons: 8
- Number of Episodes: 179
- Status: Ended
- Original Language: English
- Spoken Languages: English
- First Air Date: October 3, 2004 (United States - TV-PG), October 3, 2004 (Canada - PG), October 3, 2004 (United Kingdom - 15), October 3, 2004 (Germany - 16), October 3, 2004 (France - 10), October 3, 2004 (India - U), October 3, 2004 (Australia - M), October 3, 2004 (Brazil - 12), October 3, 2004 (Mexico - AA), October 3, 2004 (Spain - 12), October 3, 2004 (South Korea - 19)
- Networks: ABC
- Alternative Titles: Amas de Casa Desesperadas (CO), 绝望的主妇 (CN)
- Production Companies: Cherry Productions
- Production Countries: United States of America
Desperate Housewives - Plot
Looking down on her friends and family isn't a way of life for Mary Alice Young... it's a way of death. One day, in her perfect house, in the loveliest of suburbs, Mary Alice ended it all. Now she's taking us into the lives of her family, friends and neighbors, commenting from her elevated P.O.V.
Desperate Housewives - Trailer
Watch the official trailer and see what secrets Wisteria Lane is hiding:
Secrets. Romance. Murder. All on one street
Where to Watch Desperate Housewives
Looking for where to watch Desperate Housewives?
Compare all viewing options available in your region on JustWatch ↗
Desperate Housewives - Cast & Crew
Creator(s)
- Marc Cherry
Main Cast
- Teri Hatcher
- Felicity Huffman
- Marcia Cross
- Eva Longoria
- Ricardo Chavira
- James Denton
- Brenda Strong
- Doug Savant
- Nicollette Sheridan
- Shawn Pyfrom
Writers
- Marco Pennette
- David Flebotte
- Jordon Nardino
- Lori Kirkland Baker
- Josann McGibbon
Executive Producers
- Tom Spezialy
- Michael Edelstein
- Marc Cherry
Desperate Housewives - FAQs
Where can you stream Desperate Housewives online?
Desperate Housewives is available to stream on Hulu and Amazon Prime Video (including an ads-supported tier). Episodes can also be purchased digitally on Amazon Video, Apple TV Store, Google Play Movies, and Fandango At Home, giving viewers multiple options across major platforms.
Is Desperate Housewives based on a true story?
Desperate Housewives is not based on a true story. Creator Marc Cherry conceived the series after watching news coverage of Andrea Yates and asking his mother whether a suburban housewife could snap under pressure. The show is entirely fictional, though it draws on universal suburban anxieties.
Who are the main cast members of Desperate Housewives?
The principal cast includes Teri Hatcher as Susan Mayer, Felicity Huffman as Lynette Scavo, Marcia Cross as Bree Van de Kamp, Eva Longoria as Gabrielle Solis, and James Denton as Mike Delfino. Brenda Strong narrates as the deceased Mary Alice Young throughout the series.
Why did Desperate Housewives end after Season 8?
Creator Marc Cherry made the deliberate decision to conclude Desperate Housewives with its eighth season in 2012, choosing to end the series on his own creative terms rather than allow it to continue indefinitely. The finale wrapped up the major storylines and gave each character a defined conclusion.
How many seasons and episodes does Desperate Housewives have?
Desperate Housewives ran for 8 seasons and 179 episodes on ABC, airing from October 2004 through May 2012. Each main season contains 23 or 24 episodes, with the exception of the shortened Season 4 (17 episodes), which was affected by the 2007–2008 Writers Guild of America strike.
What is Desperate Housewives about?
Desperate Housewives follows a group of women navigating marriage, friendship, and dark secrets on the fictional Wisteria Lane in suburban Fairview. Narrated by the ghost of neighbor Mary Alice Young, the show blends sharp comedy, soap-opera drama, and mystery to expose the chaos lurking beneath picture-perfect facades.
Did Desperate Housewives win any major awards?
Yes. Desperate Housewives earned numerous accolades, including a Golden Globe Award for Best Television Series — Musical or Comedy in 2005. Felicity Huffman won a Golden Globe for Best Actress, and the show received multiple Emmy, Screen Actors Guild, and People's Choice Award nominations throughout its run.
What is the content rating for Desperate Housewives?
Desperate Housewives carries a TV-14 rating in the United States, indicating content that may be unsuitable for children under 14. The series contains mature themes including infidelity, violence, substance abuse, and dark humor. International ratings vary by country, ranging from PG in Canada to 19+ in South Korea.
More About Desperate Housewives
Explore further details, cast information, and official records for Desperate Housewives on these trusted resources.