PALIN MITENK BLOG

By Daily Mail Reporter

Legal action: Nicollette Sheridan is suing the creator of Desperate Housewives for $20million


On Wisteria Lane, it seems the real drama happens behind the scenes.
Nicollette Sheridan has launched an $20million lawsuit accusing the creator of Desperate Housewives of hitting her in the face - then killing her off in the show when she complained.

In a legal move fit for an episode of the hit show, Sheridan, who played vixen Edie Britt for five years, claims Marc Cherry physically attacked her when she questioned him over the script.

'Cherry took her aside and forcefully hit her with his hand across her face and head,' her lawsuit alleges.

'After she complained to her employer about Cherry's improper behavior, Cherry arranged to have Sheridan terminated from the show, resulting in her losing millions in future earnings.'

Her lawsuit, filed in Los Angeles Superior Court, alleges Cherry had already created 'a hostile work environment' and 'had a reputation for behaving in an extremely abusive and aggressive manner'.

According to the lawsuit, after the alleged incident, Cherry went to her trailer to 'beg forgiveness'.

Sheridan insists she felt 'apprehension of imminent physical harm' for the rest of her time on the show.

And her lawsuit claims that when co-star Teri Hatcher also complained about Cherry, he said: 'I hope Teri Hatcher gets hit by a car and dies.'

Sheridan, 46, whose character was killed off the show last year, is suing alleging assault and battery, gender violence and wrongful termination.

At the time of her departure last April, a spokesperson said: 'She had a great time on the show and is looking forward to her next project.'

Her character, who was not featured in the show's opening credits and received less airtime than other characters, was killed off in a car accident.

'It is exceptionally unusual for a popular character to be killed off or written out of a television series unless the actor has requested to be released from his or her contract,' Sheridan's lawyer said.

Tension behind the scenes: Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry with Terri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Sheridan, Eva Longoria and Marcia Cross at the 2006 Golden Globe Awards

Her lawsuit calls for a 'trial by jury on all claims'.

Sheridan said she was paid $175,000 an episode for the show's fifth season - when the assault allegedly occurred - and then $200,000 for the sixth and $250,000 for the seventh.


Don't be fooled by the smiles: Sheridan alleges Cherry 'forcefully hit her' after she questioned him over the script

Her lawsuit insists that 'based on Cherry's extreme personal animus and violent assault on Sheridan', who 'is informed and believes' that she 'was fired from the show in retaliation for reporting Cherry's physical attack on her to ABC'.

She also insists: 'ABC and Cherry harassed Sheridan, discriminated against her, and ultimately terminated her on account of her sex, her sexual orientation, and her age.'

Before Desperate Housewives, Sheridan was best known for playing Paige Matheson in Eighties soap opera Knots Landing.

After joining Desperate Housewives in 2004, Sheridan was nominated for a Golden Globe in 2005 for her portrayal of Edie.


Surprise exit: Sheridan's character Edie Britt was extremely popular, but was killed off in a car accident last year

source :dailymail