Nearly 20 years after “Desperate Housewives” first premiered and transformed suburban melodrama into primetime gold, its legacy is being revived for a new era. Disney’s Onyx Collective is developing “Wisteria Lane”, a fresh reimagining of the iconic ABC dramedy that became one of television’s defining hits of the 2000s.
“Desperate Housewives” Offshoot Details: “Wisteria Lane”
The new series comes from writer and executive producer Natalie Chaidez (The Flight Attendant, Queen of the South) and executive producer Kerry Washington, through her Simpson Street production company. If greenlit, “Wisteria Lane” would stream on Hulu, where Onyx Collective’s growing slate of prestige content is housed.
Much like its predecessor, “Wisteria Lane” will follow a group of women—close friends and occasional rivals—who live on a seemingly perfect cul de sac. Beneath the surface of their picture-perfect lives and white-picket fences lies a web of secrets and scandals. The series aims to recapture the original’s signature mix of sharp humor, mystery, and heightened drama, while introducing a new generation of characters to the storied neighborhood.
The project is being produced by 20th Television, where Simpson Street is based. Chaidez is joined as executive producer by Washington, Pilar Savone (Simpson Street), and Stacey Sher through her Shiny Penny banner.
Though “Desperate Housewives” creator Marc Cherry is not currently attached to the project, his influence continues to loom large over the franchise. In a 2024 interview tied to the show’s 20th anniversary, Cherry acknowledged the continued enthusiasm from fans, saying that “about 70,000 people” had asked him about bringing the show back. However, he has also expressed caution about revisiting the original cast.
During a recent appearance on Watch What Happens Live with Andy Cohen, Eva Longoria, who played Gabrielle Solis, addressed Cherry’s reluctance to reboot the show. When asked who would be the hardest to convince to return, she responded, “Marc Cherry, our creator. He feels like we’ve exhausted the characters.” She added, “Unlike Sex and the City, [which] was only like six episodes, eight episodes a year, we did 24 episodes a year for a decade.”
While Cherry has not signed on to “Wisteria Lane”, he has previously floated other spinoff ideas, including a prequel set in the 1960s. Whether he joins the new project remains to be seen, but his storytelling DNA is embedded in the very fabric of the franchise.
“Desperate Housewives” Legacy
Launched in 2004, “Desperate Housewives” became an instant cultural phenomenon, blending suburban satire, mystery, and emotional depth into an addictive weekly series. Starring Teri Hatcher, Marcia Cross, Felicity Huffman, Eva Longoria, and Nicollette Sheridan, the show followed five women navigating love, betrayal, and murder in the fictional neighborhood of Wisteria Lane.
The series, narrated by Brenda Strong’s deceased character Mary Alice Young, captivated viewers with its serialized storytelling and dark twists. It dominated ratings during its early seasons, ranked in the Nielsen top 10 for five years, and went on to earn seven Emmy Awards across its eight-season, 180-episode run.
Even the setting of “Desperate Housewives” achieved iconic status. The series’ namesake street was shot on Colonial Street, a permanent set on the Universal Studios backlot that was modified specifically for the show. Now known by fans and tourists alike as “Wisteria Lane”, it remains a key part of the Universal Studios Tour and continues to be used for television and film production.
The new series plans to retain the fictional setting of “Wisteria Lane”, though it has not yet been confirmed whether filming will take place in Los Angeles at the original Universal backlot.
Wisteria Lane also builds on Kerry Washington and Simpson Street’s strong creative relationship with Onyx Collective. Washington currently executive produces the legal drama “Reasonable Doubt”, which has been renewed for a third season, and previously produced and starred in the comedy “UnPrisoned”. Simpson Street also collaborated with Hello Sunshine on the Emmy-nominated Hulu limited series “Little Fires Everywhere”, also starring Washington.
With nostalgia for “Desperate Housewives” at an all-time high and continued fan appetite for bold, character-driven drama, “Wisteria Lane” represents the first major step toward expanding the beloved franchise in over a decade. No characters from the original series are currently slated to appear, but the themes of secrets, suburban facades, and female friendships remain as relevant as ever.
Deadline was the first to report the news.
