Nicollette Sheridan Sues Desperate Housewives For Assault

Nicollette Sheridan enjoyed playing Edie Britt on “Desperate Housewives.” Being voluntarily smacked around in the bedroom was fitting for the role of the man-eating, flirtatious Ms. Britt. Being smacked around by the producers of the program back stage and terminated without a good cause, however, was not.

They could end up needing payday loans, because according to the New York Times, Nicollette Sheridan is now suing the producers of “Desperate Housewives” for assault and wrongful termination.

What happened, and was Nicollette Sheridan’s character killed over it?

Nicollette Sheridan’s lawsuit claims that during an incident that occurred in September, 2008, she was struck by Marc Cherry, creator of the popular nighttime soap opera, when she asked Cherry about a line in the script. According to the Associated Press, Marc Cherry’s alleged response was to take Nicollette Sheridan aside and “forcefully hit her with his hand across her face and head.”

Nicollette Sheridan went directly to ABC to complain about Marc Cherry’s alleged violent treatment, but her pleas are reported to have fallen on deaf ears. Not long after, Edie Britt was killed off. Sheridan has no doubt that it was a retaliation by ABC because she had the nerves to “make a fuss.”

How did Edie Britt die?

It certainly has nothing to do with a lover or lover’s wife or girlfriend seeking revenge. It ended with a patented deadly car crash, as Zap2It outlines in the fateful 2009 episode of “Desperate Housewives.” Orson, who was “running across the street after one of his breaking and entering,” was saved from death as Edie swerved to avoid him. Her vehicle struck a utility pole, and fallen power lines hit the puddle of water where Edie’s body had settled. Collision and electrocution did her in, a real double whammy.

That event was followed by flashback episodes of the “Desperate Housewives,” remembering Edie Britt, Nicollette Sheridan’s character. In two of the flashbacks, interestingly, Edie “smacks” some senses into Lynette and Bree in hopes they uncover the strength to face their problems. Mrs. McCluskey “smacks” some sense into Edie’s son Travis when he finds out about her death and is barely fazed. The final smack came when Mrs. McCluskey “smacks down” Edie for her attempt to sympathize with McCluskey over having lost a son.

Were all these smacking coincidental?

It’s certainly an interesting word choice on Zap2It’s part, taking into account Nicollette Sheridan’s experience with Marc Cherry. The episode aired more than likely before the smack down was public knowledge, so it could be coincidental. But the death of Edie itself was explained away in Gabby’s flashback from the same episode, where Nicollette Sheridan’s character confided that she will be meeting death before her 50th birthday. How convenient of you, ABC. We’ll see if Nicollette Sheridan smacks you down, and whether you’ll need secured loans.