Vanessa Williams has expressed her reservations regarding the upcoming reboot of Desperate Housewives, titled Wisteria Lane. The actress, who played the character Renee Perry in the final two seasons of the original series, acknowledged the buzz surrounding a potential spin-off overseen by creator Marc Cherry. However, the project is now set for a reimagining with a new direction.
Earlier in the year, it was announced that Wisteria Lane will feature writing from Natalie Chaidez, presenting a “fun, sexy, darkly comedic soap/mystery” akin to the original Desperate Housewives series. According to Deadline, the storyline will showcase seemingly perfect neighbors in a picturesque setting, with beautiful homes and families, contrasted by the hidden secrets lurking behind their white picket fences and curated social media posts.
At the Variety Club Showbusiness Awards, where Williams was honored with the Variety Silver Heart Award for Outstanding Global Contribution to the Arts and Humanity, she conveyed her curiosity about what this new adaptation will entail. “That was Marc Cherry’s baby, who created and wrote every episode, and he’s a very specific person with a specific angle,” she remarked. Williams noted her interest in whether Cherry’s vision would be included in this new chapter of Wisteria Lane, saying, “So I think the jury’s out.”
In addition to her thoughts on the reboot, Williams mentioned her current engagement in The Devil Wears Prada on the West End, reflecting positively on her two years of living in London. She described her time there as privileged, highlighting her experiences of sharing the city with friends and family and enjoying exclusive activities, such as cooking with chef James Martin and exploring his impressive Ferrari collection.
For fans eager to revisit the original series, Desperate Housewives is available for streaming on Disney+, with subscriptions starting at £5.99 a month. As the new show takes shape, all eyes will be on how it pays homage to the beloved classic while forging its own identity.