Stop what you're doing. Desperate Housewives is making a comeback. Well, sort of. There is a new reboot-cum-spin-off in development called Wisteria Lane, which is billed as a fun, dark, sexy soap/ mystery set among five different frenemies who live on a picture-perfect cul-de-sac with the same name as the original series.
'On the surface, all the Wisteria neighbours are living the dream: beautiful homes, gorgeous families, shiny SUVs in the driveway,' according to the report. 'But behind those white-picket fences and smiling Insta posts are SECRETS.'
We don't know about you, but that sounds pretty much exactly like the premise of the original show. A show that has long cemented its place in the pop culture hall of a fame. A show with an active and passionate cult following more than 20 years after it first aired. And a show that has 71 wins and 273 nominations hanging in its trophy cupboard.
For any writer, actor or producer to go near a show like Desperate Housewives, let alone front a modern retelling, is incredibly bold – the pay off could be huge, but the disappointment from fans could also be unrelenting.
The news comes a year after the original ABC show celebrated its 20-year anniversary. In November, its creator Marc Cherry told People that 'about 70,000 people' had asked him about a reboot. 'I would probably want to do the idea maybe in an earlier decade,' he explained. 'Because the character I miss writing the most is actually Wisteria Lane. That was the most fun playground anyone in the history of television has ever had, because we owned the whole street.'
Even after that statement, it seems Cherry was not involved in the original pitch, but apparently he may still collaborate on the project in some capacity.
The news has certainly caused a stir online because, at the end of the day, there is only one Wisteria Lane and audiences spent eight years there between 2004 and 2012 already.
Who could possibly match the immaculate lunacy of Bree Van de Kamp? Can you really imagine another family living in the Scavo's house? Or another couple posing as Carlos and Gabrielle? Have they even proofed the street for tornadoes yet?
We're sceptical, but seated – and ready to be proven wrong.
What is the Wisteria Lane reboot?
Wisteria Lane is a reimagining of Desperate Housewives set up for development at Onyx Collective. None other than Kerry Washington is set to executive produce the series with her company Simpson Street and 20th Television where the company is based.
It is written by Natalie Chaidez (The Flight Attendant), who also serves as executive producer alongside Washington, Pilar Savone and Stacey Sher (Mrs America).
Wisteria Lane cast rumours...
The question everyone wants answering is who will star in Wisteria Lane. Will they be modern reimaginings of the same beloved characters from the original show? Or are we set to meet a whole new host of housewives?
As of yet, it is unclear whether Kerry Washington herself will star in the show. Since 20th Television recently accumulated ABC Studios' successor, ABC Signature, she is definitely going to be heavily involved.
'Original cast has to make cameos or at least one of them has to be in the cast,' posited one fan on X.
Will the stars of Desperate Housewives feature in Wisteria Lane?
Another great question. Some members of the original cast – comprised of Marcia Cross, Felicity Huffman, Teri Hatcher, Eva Longoria, Nicollette Sheridan, Ricardo S Chavira, James Denton, Doug Savant and Vanessa Williams (to name a few) – have engaged in reboot talks in the past.
Only last month did Eva Longoria, who played Gabrielle Solis in the original, tell Stellar magazine that she 'would be the first person' to sign up for a new Desperate Housewives. As of now, there are no plans for any of the original cast members to appear in Wisteria Lane.
Where can I watch Wisteria Lane?
Since Onyx shows stream on Hulu, it's likely that UK viewers will be able to watch the spin-off on Disney+. However, no release date or streaming platform has been officially confirmed.
Will the Wisteria Lane series be set on the same street?
Yes – on paper. However, the real Wisteria Lane (from Desperate Housewives) is built on the Universal Studios backlot and is available for tourists and fans to visit. It remains a top attraction on the Universal Studios Tour and Wisteria Lane has been used in numerous other shows and adverts since.
Will this new show, which bravely claims the street's name, dare to film in a different location? We'll have to wait to see.
Fans react to Wisteria Lane
Much like us, several long-time Desperate Housewives enthusiasts have flocked to social media to react to news of the reboot. 'Whyyyyy stop ruining the classics and come up with something original,' one fan shared on X.
'Oh hell no enough of these remakes my lord and it never hit like the OGs,' wrote another user. 'If nobody's cheating with the gardener in episode one I'm not watching,' joked a third.
When is Wisteria Lane available to watch?
It has not been confirmed yet, but you'll hear it from us first.
Nikki Peach is a writer at Grazia UK, working across pop culture, TV and news. She has also written for the i, i-D and the New Statesman Media Group and covers all things TV for Grazia (treating high and lowbrow shows with equal respect).