Nine years after her character’s tragic electrocution on Desperate Housewives, Nicollette Sheridan is attempting to fill the designer pumps of Joan Collins (good luck with that) taking on the role of Alexis Carrington in the CW reboot of Dynasty. In this week’s Entertainment Weekly, Nicollette discussed working on the new show, stating, “I really wanted to work with nice people. That has been something that has colored the past 10 years of my life.”
Nicollette is referring to the lawsuit she filed against ABC, Touchstone and DH creator Marc Cherry after she was fired from the show. In the lawsuit, the now 54-year-old actress claimed that she was hit in the head by Marc during an on-set argument and was fired after complaining about the incident. She told EW, “I was the victim of assault and battery on the set of Desperate Housewives by the creator of the show, my boss. I reported him and was retaliated against for doing so and fired. That is against the law.”
Nicollette’s wrongful termination lawsuit against ABC ended in a mistrial in 2012. In January of last year, a judge threw out her second case, ruling that “The Court finds that the Defendant has presented substantial undisputed evidence of the creative decision to kill off Sheridan’s character, developed over several seasons of the show.”
Despite having the case thrown out, Nicollette is not backing down. She told EW, “I was vilified for standing up for my rights, not only as a woman but as a human being. And I was punished for it. But that wasn’t going to stop me because I had to get my dignity back, and if I’d let it slide, I couldn’t have looked myself in the mirror.” Marc is still claiming his innocence. His attorneys released a statement to the magazine that asserted, “Nicolette Sheridan was not a victim at the hands of Marc Cherry — a court has already ruled to that effect after hearing the testimony of multiple witnesses. We are disappointed that the judicial determination continues to be ignored.”
Nicollette left Hollywood after being let go from DH, saying the whole experience was “degrading and demoralizing” and that it “sent me under a rock.” She added that “I really grappled with what happened, losing faith in people and really not trusting the business at all. I didn’t know that I wanted anything to do with the business for some time.”
Apparently, taking on the role of an iconic character was enough to lure Nicollette out of retirement, and what a juicy role it is. Of Dynasty, the actress calls it “a splashy, fun, strong comeback” and said the role of Alexis was “just the right thing at the right time.” It is inspired casting, if nothing else. She confessed to EW that, “I have always been attracted to playing the naughty girl. And for some reason, my audience loves seeing me in that role. It’s challenging to make that person likable, and I get to do it again [with Alexis].”
Her legal struggles are ongoing, but we will soon be able to judge Nicollette’s performance on Dynasty, as she makes her debut in the series on March 23. The details on her entrance are still guarded in secrecy, but showrunner Sallie Patrick hinted that something memorable is brewing, acknowledging, “You only get to bring her in once.”
With the Times Up movement gaining strength, it’s a distinct possibility that Nicollette will once again get her day in court. With all of the stories coming out, it’s easier to believe her story than it ever was (and, while I was never a fan of DH, I do think she really got a raw deal). Wishing her luck on Dynasty too, because she’s really going to need it. Joan Collins? I mean, really. They shouldn’t have even tried to recast that part. Nicollette should have played Alexis’s sister or cousin or someone… anyone else.
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Her death on the show was not built up to in any way. It came out of left field, and was ridiculous to boot. There was more left to Edie, more for her to do and become.
Exactly. And at that time everyone thought it was because of Sheridan’s behavior, that she was being punished.
After her character was killed they had an Edie centered flashback episode, where the audience got to see how Edie had touched the lives of the other housewives. They had done the very same thing six episodes earlier with a random handyman that had never been seen or mentioned before. So even the episode that played tribute to Edie’s character was missing any emotional impact because they’d already done that and better for Beau Bridges.
So they either hadn’t planned to kill her off at the stage they decided on the handyman episode, or it was Marc Cherry being really petty towards Nicollette.
I hope she will receive the same ‘ I believe her’ treatment as every woman deserves, regardless of how long ago this took place. This will be neither the first nor last time a judicial process has been unfavorable towards a woman telling the truth.
I don’t know about her character being killed off – maybe that WAS planned, whatever…but can you imagine your boss walking into your office smacking you on the head. How awfully degrading and humiliating.
Also, being hit in the head is my automatic rage button, whether with intent or not. Somehow getting hit on the head seems like an insult to my person in a way that being hit anywhere else doesn’t. Just thinking of past events where someone has hit me in the head is enough to bring the anger back.
I’m the same way. Don’t touch my head unless we’re making out.
Never, ever hit my head in any way, shape, or form.
I just read a little about the original trial, I had forgotten a lot of the details. He claims he “tapped” her on the head to demonstrate something for a scene and felt “permission was understood “. Ugh.
The director of the episode demonstrated what he saw in court, and it matched Nicolette’s description.
I had bailed on the show by the time all of this went down, but overall it seem like such an unhappy set fraught with drama. The actresses were blamed in the media, but I think that sort of attitude starts at the top. Cherry seemed like a terrible person to work for.
I need to refresh on the details but I remember her complaints to her rep and the network were instant and that the pressure came down to bear and he sent her apology flowers the next day. He then proceeded tof write her off the show because he is clearly a vindictive AHole and it was only when she sued that he began denying her account of his assault
Whoever is styling her for the show needs to address the stringy hair- it really distracts from the black and white outfit in particular. Alexis would never!
I hope she has good legal representation if she opts to continue redress through the courts.
The hair is the main problem but is there something about the outfit as well?
Of course Joan Collins grew up in the generation when carrying yourself gracefully in uncomfortable clothes was a sign of adulthood.
I believed her then and I believe her now.
I remember how hatefully this story was covered back then. Outlets kepts writing about her relationship or lack of with the other 4 actresses. As if that had any bearing on her boss creating a hostile environment and literally hitting her. Their implication of course was that she deserved it. Marc Cherry mobilised his entire empire against her and it’s good to see she has never backed down
Ditto. I hope she receives redemption because she has always deserved it. I’ve also never forgotten Harry Hamlin and what he did to her (alleged). She’s been through a lot in life. Im happy to see her getting a good role and it’s good to see her again. Dynasty isn’t my speed but I’m going to be watching it for her sake.
Good for her. There was always something ‘off’ with this situation.
I think N could play Sam on sex in the city.
Glad she is back to work. I’m interested to see what happens regarding this appeal. Go Nicollette
The only thing that I remember about NS is her interview ( Oprah?) when she said her mom let her live with Leif Garret when she was 15 and he was 18. Eww !!
I believed her story then. However, I kept watching the show. I put blinders on and ignored all of the icky stuff that was happening to Nicolette, at that time. She was NOT supported by the cast(icky!), she was dissed in the media(icky?) She was made to look crazy(icky!) I sincerely hope she has the success she deserves going forward.