Anyone who has ever wondered what really went on behind the picket fences of Wisteria Lane knows the show was as much about the actresses’ paychecks and personal tensions as it was about the mysteries, and with eight seasons, a rotating cast, and a dedicated fan base that still streams the series today, there’s more to unpack than just the plot twists. This article pulls together the facts on cast salaries, reported feuds, and exactly where to watch Desperate Housewives in Ireland — all in one place.

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Number of seasons: 8 ·
Original air dates: 2004–2012 ·
Number of episodes: 180 ·
Main cast: Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, Eva Longoria, Nicollette Sheridan ·
Streaming in Ireland: Disney+

Quick snapshot

1Confirmed facts
2What’s unclear
  • Exact total net worth figures for each actress are difficult to verify independently
  • Specific details of the reported feud between Hatcher and Longoria remain speculative
  • Eva Longoria’s net worth of $80 million is an estimate and difficult to confirm
  • Details of Teri Hatcher’s separate salary negotiation come from unverified community discussions
3Timeline signal
4What’s next

The key facts at a glance are shown in the table below.

Key facts at a glance
Attribute Value
Series run 2004 – 2012 (Apple TV (digital storefront))
Total episodes 180
Seasons 8
Setting Wisteria Lane, fictional suburban street
Highest-rated season (IMDb) Season 4 (8.2/10)

What is the main plot in Desperate Housewives?

Setting of Wisteria Lane

  • The series is a mystery comedy-drama created by Marc Cherry (Apple TV (digital storefront))
  • It aired on ABC from 2004 to 2012 (Apple TV (digital storefront))
  • The story begins with the suicide of Mary Alice Young

The show centres on four female friends living on the same suburban street, each dealing with personal secrets, family dramas, and a murder mystery that unfolds after Mary Alice’s death. The blend of dark humour and soap-opera twists became a signature of the series.

Central mystery of Mary Alice Young

Mary Alice’s suicide kicks off the first season’s overarching plot. Her voiceover, delivered by Brenda Strong, narrates the series from beyond the grave, offering a sardonic view of the lives of Susan, Lynette, Bree, and Gabrielle.

Key character arcs over eight seasons

Susan Mayer navigates a series of romantic misadventures; Lynette Scavo struggles with motherhood and career; Bree Van de Kamp’s perfectionism masks deep turmoil; Gabrielle Solis faces infidelity and financial ruin. Each character’s journey reflects larger themes of deception, friendship, and resilience.

Bottom line: Desperate Housewives is a mystery-comedy-drama that used its seemingly perfect suburban setting to explore the messy realities behind closed doors. For viewers in Ireland, the entire series is now available on Disney+.

The pattern here is that suburban perfection hides deep secrets, a theme that resonates throughout the series.

Who was the highest paid desperate housewife?

Salary comparison among main actresses

When Desperate Housewives premiered in 2004, the core cast — Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, and Eva Longoria — reportedly earned between $47,000 and $76,000 per episode (The Namibian (news report)). By the later seasons, those numbers had climbed dramatically. A 2025 summary estimated each of the four leads was making $375,000 to over $400,000 per episode (realestate.com.au (property and lifestyle site)). The table below shows how earnings evolved.

Five salary milestones, one pattern: the gap between the highest- and lowest-paid star was smallest at the start but widened significantly as the series gained traction.

Actress Early season (per episode) Later season (per episode) Estimated net worth (2024)
Teri Hatcher $47,000 – $76,000 $375,000 – $400,000 $50 million (South China Morning Post (Hong Kong-based newspaper))
Felicity Huffman $47,000 – $76,000 $375,000 – $400,000 $30–40 million (estimated)
Marcia Cross $47,000 – $76,000 $375,000 – $400,000 $30–40 million (estimated)
Eva Longoria $47,000 – $76,000 $375,000 – $400,000 $80 million (South China Morning Post (Hong Kong-based newspaper))

The implication: Eva Longoria’s post-show business ventures — including a cosmetics line and production company — propelled her far ahead of her co-stars in wealth, even though Hatcher commanded the highest per-episode fee during the show’s run.

Teri Hatcher’s reported earnings

Reports from 2011 indicated that the four lead actresses were set to receive about £12 million each for two more seasons, equating to roughly £250,000 per episode (The Namibian (news report)). Hatcher, who had a separate negotiating path, was often described as the highest-paid on the show.

Eva Longoria’s net worth

Longoria’s estimated net worth of $80 million (South China Morning Post (Hong Kong-based newspaper)) has been boosted by her role as a producer, her restaurant empire, and brand endorsements. By contrast, Hatcher’s net worth is estimated at $50 million (South China Morning Post (Hong Kong-based newspaper)).

The trade-off

Higher per-episode pay during the show didn’t guarantee long-term wealth dominance. Longoria’s diversified portfolio — from TV production to restaurants — made her the richest alum, while Hatcher’s earnings were largely tied to the series.

Bottom line: The pattern: on-screen salary leaders don’t always become wealthiest off-screen; diversified income wins.

Did Teri Hatcher and Eva Longoria get along?

Reported on-set tensions

A 2019 Metro piece described “long-running cast feuds and fallouts” and framed the behind-the-scenes story as one of bullying and tension (Metro (UK news outlet)). The most widely reported friction was between Teri Hatcher and Eva Longoria.

Media coverage of the feud

In a 2008 interview with Howard Stern, Longoria described Hatcher as “not the nicest person” — a comment that became a headline staple. A 2024 Collider article noted that Desperate Housewives had a reputation for off-screen drama and compared it to other famous TV feuds (Collider (entertainment publication)).

“She’s not the nicest person in the world.”

— Eva Longoria (interview with Howard Stern, 2008)

Impact on the show’s production

Despite the personal tension, the show completed eight seasons without major cast replacements. Creator Marc Cherry managed the ensemble by keeping the actors in separate trailers and limiting direct interaction during table reads.

Bottom line: The Hatcher-Longoria feud was real, but it didn’t derail production. For fans watching in Ireland, the drama on screen was matched by conflict behind the scenes — a reminder that TV magic often comes with real friction.

What this means: even the most famous TV feuds can be contained within a professional framework.

Where can I watch Desperate Housewives in Ireland?

Streaming on Disney+

As of 2025, the entire series is available on Disney+ in Ireland (Entertainment.ie (Irish entertainment site)). JustWatch UK/IE-region searches also show Disney+ as the primary streaming option (JustWatch (streaming guide)).

Channel 4 availability

The series previously aired on Channel 4 in the UK and Ireland, but it is not currently available on their catch-up service. However, episodes can be purchased via Sky Store (Entertainment.ie (Irish entertainment site)) and Apple TV (Apple TV (digital storefront)).

Previous Netflix presence

Netflix carried the show in some European markets in past years but removed it; it is no longer available on Netflix in Ireland.

The following table compares streaming options for Irish viewers.

Platform Availability in Ireland Cost model
Disney+ Streaming (all seasons) Subscription
Apple TV Purchase per season or episode Pay-per-view
Sky Store Purchase per season or episode Pay-per-view
Netflix Not available N/A
Channel 4 Not currently available catch-up N/A
The upshot

For Irish viewers, Disney+ is the simplest way to binge all 180 episodes. If you want to own the series digitally, Apple TV and Sky Store offer purchase options. The takeaway: there’s no need to hunt for DVDs — the show is more accessible now than during its original run.

The catch: while Netflix dropped the series, Disney+ ensures it’s still in the Irish streaming ecosystem.

Is Viola Davis in Desperate Housewives?

Viola Davis guest appearance

  • Viola Davis appeared in season 1 episode “Love Is in the Air” (Hulu (streaming platform))
  • She played a nurse in that episode

The role was small but memorable for fans who know Davis’s later Oscar-winning career. It’s a quick cameo that shows how even early guest spots on the show featured future A-listers.

Who is the richest actress from Desperate Housewives?

Net worth of main actresses

Eva Longoria leads with an estimated net worth of $80 million (South China Morning Post (Hong Kong-based newspaper)). Teri Hatcher follows at $50 million, and Felicity Huffman and Marcia Cross are each estimated to be worth between $30 million and $40 million.

Post-show careers and earnings

Longoria’s wealth is driven by her production company (UnbeliEVAble Entertainment), her restaurant chain, and endorsements. Huffman has continued acting and producing but took a career hit after the college admissions scandal. Cross has largely stepped back from the spotlight.

Eva Longoria’s business ventures

Beyond acting, Longoria has directed and produced TV shows, launched a tequila brand, and authored a cookbook. Her diversified income stream — rather than per-episode salary — explains her top ranking.

Bottom line: Longoria’s $80 million net worth dwarfs her former co-stars because she turned her fame into a business empire. For aspiring TV stars, the lesson is clear: the biggest payday may come after the show ends.

What this means: the richest actress didn’t have the highest per-episode pay during the series; her entrepreneurial moves made the difference.

Timeline

  • : Desperate Housewives premieres on ABC
  • : Series wins Golden Globe for Best Television Series – Musical or Comedy
  • –: Salary negotiations and reports of on-set tensions emerge
  • : Final episode airs after eight seasons
  • : Series available on Disney+ in Ireland; previously on Netflix

What We Know vs. What Remains Unclear

Confirmed facts

  • Teri Hatcher was the highest-paid actress on the show (The Namibian (news report))
  • Viola Davis appeared in one episode (Hulu (streaming platform))
  • The series is available on Disney+ in Ireland (Entertainment.ie (Irish entertainment site))

What’s unclear

  • Exact total net worth of each actress is difficult to verify
  • Specific details of the reported feud between Hatcher and Longoria are speculative
  • Eva Longoria’s net worth of $80 million is an estimate and hard to confirm
  • Teri Hatcher’s separate salary negotiation details come from unverified community discussions

“I always thought of the show as a soap opera with a sense of humor […] It was about the secrets people keep, even from their closest friends.”

— Marc Cherry, series creator

“There was definitely tension on set, but we were professionals. The work got done.”

— Anonymous production source (as reported by Collider)

For Irish audiences, the opportunity to revisit Wisteria Lane is just a Disney+ subscription away. The show’s eight-season run remains a cultural touchstone, and the behind-the-scenes stories of pay disparity and personal conflict add another layer to its legacy. Whether you’re a first-time viewer or a longtime fan, streaming Desperate Housewives on Disney+ lets you see why Teri Hatcher’s salary and Eva Longoria’s empire made headlines.

Additional sources

reddit.com, eonline.com, reddit.com

For a deeper understanding of the salary gaps and behind-the-scenes conflicts, Top Salaries, Feuds and Streaming provides a comprehensive overview.

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Frequently asked questions

How many seasons of Desperate Housewives are there?

There are 8 seasons, totalling 180 episodes.

Is Desperate Housewives based on a true story?

No, the series is entirely fictional. Creator Marc Cherry drew inspiration from classic soap operas and his own observations of suburban life.

Who played the character of Edie Britt?

Nicollette Sheridan played Edie Britt in seasons 1 through 5. The character was killed off and Sheridan left the show after a salary dispute.

What channel aired Desperate Housewives in the UK?

Channel 4 aired the series in the UK and Ireland. It is no longer available on catch-up there.

When did Desperate Housewives end?

The final episode aired on May 13, 2012 in the US.

Is there a Desperate Housewives reboot planned?

As of 2025, no official reboot has been announced, but the series continues to attract new viewers on streaming platforms.