'Desperate Housewives' Cast: Where Are Wisteria Lane's Residents Now?

Eva Longoria portrayed former model Gabrielle Solis, whose boredom with suburban life led to an affair with her teenage gardener in the first season. Gaby's materialistic nature and sharp wit made her instantly memorable, but throughout the series, her character developed surprising depth as she faced marital problems, financial setbacks, and the challenges of motherhood.

Longoria has become one of Hollywood's most successful multi-hyphenates since the show ended. She's directed episodes of shows like Jane the Virgin and Black-ish, produced the hit series Devious Maids, and made her feature film directorial debut with Flamin' Hot in 2023. Her acting career has flourished with roles in films like Overboard and Dora and the Lost City of Gold. Beyond entertainment, Longoria has built a business empire including a production company, tequila brand, and cookware line. She's also known for her political activism and philanthropic work, particularly with her Eva Longoria Foundation, which supports Latina entrepreneurs and education.

As perfectionist homemaker Bree Van de Kamp, Marcia Cross created one of television's most iconic characters. Bree's immaculate appearance and home concealed a tumultuous family life, including struggles with her husband's sexuality, her children's rebellion, and her own battles with alcoholism. Her character's evolution from rigid conservative to more accepting friend showed remarkable growth throughout the series.

Following Desperate Housewives, Cross took time away from acting to focus on her family and health. In 2018, she revealed her battle with cancer, which she has since overcome, becoming an advocate for HPV vaccination and cancer awareness. When she returned to television, she took on the role of villainous Claire Haas in ABC's Quantico and later appeared in the thriller series You. In 2023, she joined the cast of Monarch: Legacy of Monsters on Apple TV+. 

As the neighborhood's resident man-eater Edie Britt, Nicollette Sheridan provided some of the show's most memorable confrontations and one-liners. Edie's unapologetic sexuality and rivalry with Susan created delicious drama, while occasional glimpses of vulnerability revealed there was more to her than just a predatory neighbor. Her character met a shocking end in Season 5 after being electrocuted following a car accident.

Sheridan's departure from the show sparked controversy and led to a lengthy legal battle with creator Marc Cherry and ABC, with Sheridan alleging wrongful termination and assault. Though the lawsuits were eventually dismissed, the behind-the-scenes drama became almost as famous as the show itself. After leaving Desperate Housewives, Sheridan appeared in several TV movies before making a splashy return to television as Alexis Carrington in the Dynasty reboot in 2018, though she left that role after one season.

As the accident-prone, romantically challenged Susan Mayer, Teri Hatcher brought an endearing vulnerability to Wisteria Lane. Her character's on-again, off-again relationship with plumber Mike Delfino became one of the show's central love stories. Susan's awkward mishaps and earnest personality made her relatable to viewers, while her determination to find love and protect her daughter Julie revealed strength beneath the clumsiness.

After the series ended, Hatcher continued acting while exploring other passions. She voiced Dottie in the animated film Planes and its sequel, appeared in The Odd Couple, and had a recurring role as Rhea, Queen of Daxam on Supergirl. Beyond acting, she embraced her love of cooking, winning The Great Celebrity Bake Off for Stand Up to Cancer in 2018, and launching a YouTube cooking channel called Hatching Change. She has also taken on roles in Hallmark movies while remaining active in charity work.

Felicity Huffman brought remarkable depth to Lynette Scavo, a former career woman struggling with the chaos of raising four children. Lynette's storylines often tackled the realities of motherhood rarely portrayed on television – the exhaustion, frustration, and sometimes resentment that came with sacrificing a career for family. Her character's determination and problem-solving skills made her a force to be reckoned with on Wisteria Lane.

Huffman's post-Desperate Housewives career included acclaimed performances in American Crime, which earned her Emmy nominations, and the film Transamerica, for which she received an Oscar nomination. However, her career faced a significant setback in 2019 when she was implicated in the college admissions scandal. Huffman pleaded guilty to paying $15,000 to have her daughter's SAT scores altered and served 11 days in prison. Since completing her sentence, she has maintained a lower profile but has slowly returned to acting, appearing in a pilot for ABC in 2023 and landing a role in a comedy series for Amazon Freevee.

Jesse Metcalfe made a memorable impression as John Rowland, the teenage gardener who began an affair with Gabrielle Solis in the show's first season. Though initially introduced as eye candy, John's character created significant complications for Gabrielle, especially when he developed genuine feelings for her and later dated her stepdaughter. While his role diminished after the early seasons, his character represented the temptations that could disrupt seemingly perfect suburban lives.

After his breakthrough role on Desperate Housewives, Metcalfe starred in the film John Tucker Must Die and took the lead in the TV series Chase. His most significant post-Housewives role came in the revival of Dallas, where he played Christopher Ewing for three seasons. Metcalfe also found success on Hallmark Channel, starring in the Martha's Vineyard Mysteries series and romantic comedies for the network. In 2020, he competed on Dancing with the Stars, and has continued to balance acting with modeling work. Despite facing personal challenges, including seeking treatment for alcohol issues early in his career, Metcalfe has maintained a steady presence in television and film.