According to Deadline, an exciting reboot of Desperate Housewives is currently underway at Onyx Collective, in collaboration with 20th Television and Kerry Washington’s production company, Simpson Street. This new project, titled Wisteria Lane, is characterized as a thrilling “reimagining” of the beloved original series, which captivated audiences for eight remarkable seasons on ABC from 2004 to 2012. Fans of the original series are eagerly anticipating how this modern interpretation will capture the essence of suburban drama and intrigue.
Wisteria Lane is described as a “fun, sexy, darkly comedic soap/mystery” akin to the original Desperate Housewives. The narrative unfolds among a diverse group of five friends and occasional rivals residing on a picturesque cul-de-sac named Wisteria Lane. While these neighbors appear to be living the idyllic suburban dream—with stunning homes, beautiful families, and shiny SUVs parked in their driveways—beneath the surface lies a web of hidden secrets and untold stories waiting to be unveiled. This blend of humor and mystery promises to keep viewers engaged and entertained.
Natalie Chaidez, known for her work on The Flight Attendant, is set to lead the writing team for this ambitious project. Although Marc Cherry, the original creator of the series, isn’t directly involved in the initial pitch, sources indicate that he may play a role as the project develops, potentially offering insights from his vast experience. The involvement of industry veterans like Chaidez and Cherry raises expectations for a compelling narrative that honors the legacy of the original while introducing fresh storytelling elements.
The original Desperate Housewives cast featured talents like Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, and Eva Longoria, who collectively brought to life a captivating blend of mystery, satire, and soap opera-style storytelling. The series explored the seemingly flawless lives of suburban women inhabiting Wisteria Lane in the fictional town of Fairview. With a distinctive narrative style, the show was narrated by Brenda Strong, who introduced the audience to a shocking twist in the pilot episode—a tragic suicide that set the stage for the unfolding central mystery that kept viewers on the edge of their seats.
Cherry recently hinted at the possibility of a Desperate Housewives reboot, although his vision involved a nostalgic journey back in time. “I would probably want to do the idea maybe in an earlier decade,” Cherry stated, expressing his longing for the creative playground that was Wisteria Lane. “That was the most fun playground anyone in the history of television has ever had, because we owned the whole street. I know that street like the back of my hand. When someone shoots a commercial on that street, I know it instantly, because I know all those houses, I know the geography. It was such a fun place to write for. And there are times when I go, ‘You know what? I wonder if I could write Wisteria Lane in like, 1966.’“ His enthusiasm for the original setting and its characters suggests that the reboot could capture the same magic that made the original series a cultural phenomenon.
