'Sacked for being a woman': Nicollette Sheridan files new lawsuit papers against Desperate Housewive
Ex-Desperate Housewives star Nicollette Sheridan has claimed she was sacked from the show ‘for being a woman.’
The star makes the claim in 15 pages of testimony submitted to Los Angeles Superior Court as part of $20 million lawsuit against the show’s creator Marc Cherry and makers ABC.
It was handed over as opposition to a move by Cherry's lawyers that the unlawful termination part of her claim should be withdrawn.
Sheridan was axed from the show in its fifth series in 2009, with her character Erin Britt being killed off after being electrocuted following a car accident.
Fight: Nicollette Sheridan filed papers as part of her $20 million lawsuit against her former Desperate Housewives bosses it emerged today
The 47-year-old actress is suing the Desperate HousewiveS creator for wrongful termination, breach of contract and battery.
The broadcasters have claimed the director gave her a 'light tap' while they were rehearsing a scene.
And Cherry insists she only had a one-year deal and the renewal option wasn't utilised until the end of each series.
Sheridan claims she was slapped on the head by Cherry because she had criticised the shows scripts and denies she was unprofessional during filming.
However Sheridan had claimed the ‘incident’ had been dismissed following an internal investigation as being ‘a light tap’ on the side of her head, and no further action was taken.
Cherry has always denied he and Sheridan had anything more than a verbal argument.
Denial: Show creator Marc Cherry has denied Sheridan's claims he hit her and dismissed her unfairly
She had originally claimed wrongful termination, retaliatory termination, assault and battery, discrimination based on sex and age, gender violence, breach of good faith and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
She has subsequently dropped the latter charge to avoid having to submit to a psychiatric evaluation, and will not make any claims for emotional or physical damages.
In the submitted legal papers she said: ‘Mr Cherry harassed and discriminated against me because I am a woman.
‘Mr Cherry sang the praises of the other four leading actresses on the show but made disparaging comments about me and my character Edie Britt.
‘Mr Cherry was extremely controlling with respect to the scripts, particularly when the female actors on the show would propose script changes.’
Happier times: Cherry and the show's original cast celebrating winning the best comedy Golden Globe in 2006
In contrast she states that the producer would regularly meet with male stars and discuss their characters and plot-lines.
Sheridan also claims the reason she was kicked off the show because she reported Cherry for hitting her.
She dropped the claims of physical injury and emotional distress in December, but she still maintains the claims are valid.
Following a disagreement about a scene she claims they had a bust-up.
She said: ‘Cherry stopped and said, ‘what is it you want?’
Submitted briefs: Sheridan's sex symbol status was not enough to save her from the Desperate Housewives axe and a legal fight
‘I started to say, ‘I’ll tell you again’ and at that stage he stepped towards me and hit me hard on the head with his open hand. It was a hard hit. My head jerked.’
British-born Sheridan then said that four months after the alleged slapping incident in February 2009, she was told her character was being written out and her contract terminated.
She also reiterates previous claims that gay writer Cherry had told her he wished the show’s leading actress Teri Hatcher would die in a car accident.
She said: ‘I invited him to my trailer and he began ranting about Teri Hatcher’s complaints about the writing, that he hated her, that he should have listened to everybody else and should not have hired her, and that he hoped she’d get hit by a car and die.
‘His reaction was so strong I found it to be horrifying.’
Shocking: Sheridan (second left) claims Cherry said horrifying things about Teri Hatcher (right) and Eva Longoria (left)
The Knots landing star also claims he had made disgusting comments about Eva Longoria when he attended her wedding to basketball player Tony Parker in 2007.
She said: ‘Mr Cherry commented that ‘Tony must like boys, because he is marrying this - this little small girl with no t**s and that looks like a boy.’
However an insider told TMZ the crack was a joke, and that Longoria found it funny.
Sheridan also said that Cherry was abusive to other cast members and writers, especially actress Teri Hatcher, who plays Susan Mayer.
The court documents also reveal how much she had been paid for starring in the show, and how her pay had been gradually increased, but the figures are blacked out.
Old times: Sheridan appearing as Edie Britt in as scene alongside Eva Longoria on the hit show
The Knots landing star also claims he had made disgusting comments about Eva Longoria when he attended her wedding to basketball player Tony Parker in 2007.
She said: ‘Mr Cherry commented that ‘Tony must like boys, because he is marrying this - this little small girl with no t**s and that looks like a boy.’
However an insider told TMZ the crack was a joke, and that Longoria found it funny.
Sheridan also said that Cherry was abusive to other cast members and writers, especially actress Teri Hatcher, who plays Susan Mayer.
The court documents also reveal how much she had been paid for starring in the show, and how her pay had been gradually increased, but the figures are blacked out.
The cast of the show have been united in their defence of Cherry.
Last year the shows stars Teri Hatcher, 46, Eva Longoria, 36, Felicity Huffman, 48, and Marcia Cross, 49, joined together to issue a statement dismissing her claims.
It read:'We have no first-hand knowledge of what Nicollette may or may not have experienced, but we would never characterise our set as a hostile environment.
Teri Hatcher issued a personal statement in which she said: 'I have never felt discriminated against.
'In fact, I have felt heard and respected by Marc and other executives in regards to both my professional and personal needs.'
Fight: Nicollette Sheridan filed papers as part of her $20 million lawsuit against her former Desperate Housewives bosses it emerged today The 47-year-old actress is suing the Desperate HousewiveS creator for wrongful termination, breach of contract and battery. The broadcasters have claimed the director gave her a 'light tap' while they were rehearsing a scene. And Cherry insists she only had a one-year deal and the renewal option wasn't utilised until the end of each series. Sheridan claims she was slapped on the head by Cherry because she had criticised the shows scripts and denies she was unprofessional during filming. However Sheridan had claimed the ‘incident’ had been dismissed following an internal investigation as being ‘a light tap’ on the side of her head, and no further action was taken. Cherry has always denied he and Sheridan had anything more than a verbal argument.
Denial: Show creator Marc Cherry has denied Sheridan's claims he hit her and dismissed her unfairly She had originally claimed wrongful termination, retaliatory termination, assault and battery, discrimination based on sex and age, gender violence, breach of good faith and intentional infliction of emotional distress. She has subsequently dropped the latter charge to avoid having to submit to a psychiatric evaluation, and will not make any claims for emotional or physical damages. In the submitted legal papers she said: ‘Mr Cherry harassed and discriminated against me because I am a woman. ‘Mr Cherry sang the praises of the other four leading actresses on the show but made disparaging comments about me and my character Edie Britt. ‘Mr Cherry was extremely controlling with respect to the scripts, particularly when the female actors on the show would propose script changes.’
Happier times: Cherry and the show's original cast celebrating winning the best comedy Golden Globe in 2006 In contrast she states that the producer would regularly meet with male stars and discuss their characters and plot-lines. Sheridan also claims the reason she was kicked off the show because she reported Cherry for hitting her. She dropped the claims of physical injury and emotional distress in December, but she still maintains the claims are valid. Following a disagreement about a scene she claims they had a bust-up. She said: ‘Cherry stopped and said, ‘what is it you want?’
Submitted briefs: Sheridan's sex symbol status was not enough to save her from the Desperate Housewives axe and a legal fight ‘I started to say, ‘I’ll tell you again’ and at that stage he stepped towards me and hit me hard on the head with his open hand. It was a hard hit. My head jerked.’
British-born Sheridan then said that four months after the alleged slapping incident in February 2009, she was told her character was being written out and her contract terminated.
She also reiterates previous claims that gay writer Cherry had told her he wished the show’s leading actress Teri Hatcher would die in a car accident.
She said: ‘I invited him to my trailer and he began ranting about Teri Hatcher’s complaints about the writing, that he hated her, that he should have listened to everybody else and should not have hired her, and that he hoped she’d get hit by a car and die.
‘His reaction was so strong I found it to be horrifying.’
Shocking: Sheridan (second left) claims Cherry said horrifying things about Teri Hatcher (right) and Eva Longoria (left)
The Knots landing star also claims he had made disgusting comments about Eva Longoria when he attended her wedding to basketball player Tony Parker in 2007.
She said: ‘Mr Cherry commented that ‘Tony must like boys, because he is marrying this – this little small girl with no t**s and that looks like a boy.’
However an insider told TMZ the crack was a joke, and that Longoria found it funny.
Sheridan also said that Cherry was abusive to other cast members and writers, especially actress Teri Hatcher, who plays Susan Mayer.
The court documents also reveal how much she had been paid for starring in the show, and how her pay had been gradually increased, but the figures are blacked out.
Old times: Sheridan appearing as Edie Britt in as scene alongside Eva Longoria on the hit show The Knots landing star also claims he had made disgusting comments about Eva Longoria when he attended her wedding to basketball player Tony Parker in 2007.
She said: ‘Mr Cherry commented that ‘Tony must like boys, because he is marrying this – this little small girl with no t**s and that looks like a boy.’
However an insider told TMZ the crack was a joke, and that Longoria found it funny.
Sheridan also said that Cherry was abusive to other cast members and writers, especially actress Teri Hatcher, who plays Susan Mayer.
The court documents also reveal how much she had been paid for starring in the show, and how her pay had been gradually increased, but the figures are blacked out. The cast of the show have been united in their defence of Cherry. Last year the shows stars Teri Hatcher, 46, Eva Longoria, 36, Felicity Huffman, 48, and Marcia Cross, 49, joined together to issue a statement dismissing her claims. It read:'We have no first-hand knowledge of what Nicollette may or may not have experienced, but we would never characterise our set as a hostile environment. Teri Hatcher issued a personal statement in which she said: 'I have never felt discriminated against. 'In fact, I have felt heard and respected by Marc and other executives in regards to both my professional and personal needs.' source ">source
The star makes the claim in 15 pages of testimony submitted to Los Angeles Superior Court as part of $20 million lawsuit against the show’s creator Marc Cherry and makers ABC.
It was handed over as opposition to a move by Cherry's lawyers that the unlawful termination part of her claim should be withdrawn.
Sheridan was axed from the show in its fifth series in 2009, with her character Erin Britt being killed off after being electrocuted following a car accident.
Fight: Nicollette Sheridan filed papers as part of her $20 million lawsuit against her former Desperate Housewives bosses it emerged today
The 47-year-old actress is suing the Desperate HousewiveS creator for wrongful termination, breach of contract and battery.
The broadcasters have claimed the director gave her a 'light tap' while they were rehearsing a scene.
And Cherry insists she only had a one-year deal and the renewal option wasn't utilised until the end of each series.
Sheridan claims she was slapped on the head by Cherry because she had criticised the shows scripts and denies she was unprofessional during filming.
However Sheridan had claimed the ‘incident’ had been dismissed following an internal investigation as being ‘a light tap’ on the side of her head, and no further action was taken.
Cherry has always denied he and Sheridan had anything more than a verbal argument.
Denial: Show creator Marc Cherry has denied Sheridan's claims he hit her and dismissed her unfairly
She had originally claimed wrongful termination, retaliatory termination, assault and battery, discrimination based on sex and age, gender violence, breach of good faith and intentional infliction of emotional distress.
She has subsequently dropped the latter charge to avoid having to submit to a psychiatric evaluation, and will not make any claims for emotional or physical damages.
In the submitted legal papers she said: ‘Mr Cherry harassed and discriminated against me because I am a woman.
‘Mr Cherry sang the praises of the other four leading actresses on the show but made disparaging comments about me and my character Edie Britt.
‘Mr Cherry was extremely controlling with respect to the scripts, particularly when the female actors on the show would propose script changes.’
Happier times: Cherry and the show's original cast celebrating winning the best comedy Golden Globe in 2006
In contrast she states that the producer would regularly meet with male stars and discuss their characters and plot-lines.
Sheridan also claims the reason she was kicked off the show because she reported Cherry for hitting her.
She dropped the claims of physical injury and emotional distress in December, but she still maintains the claims are valid.
Following a disagreement about a scene she claims they had a bust-up.
She said: ‘Cherry stopped and said, ‘what is it you want?’
Submitted briefs: Sheridan's sex symbol status was not enough to save her from the Desperate Housewives axe and a legal fight
‘I started to say, ‘I’ll tell you again’ and at that stage he stepped towards me and hit me hard on the head with his open hand. It was a hard hit. My head jerked.’
British-born Sheridan then said that four months after the alleged slapping incident in February 2009, she was told her character was being written out and her contract terminated.
She also reiterates previous claims that gay writer Cherry had told her he wished the show’s leading actress Teri Hatcher would die in a car accident.
She said: ‘I invited him to my trailer and he began ranting about Teri Hatcher’s complaints about the writing, that he hated her, that he should have listened to everybody else and should not have hired her, and that he hoped she’d get hit by a car and die.
‘His reaction was so strong I found it to be horrifying.’
Shocking: Sheridan (second left) claims Cherry said horrifying things about Teri Hatcher (right) and Eva Longoria (left)
The Knots landing star also claims he had made disgusting comments about Eva Longoria when he attended her wedding to basketball player Tony Parker in 2007.
She said: ‘Mr Cherry commented that ‘Tony must like boys, because he is marrying this - this little small girl with no t**s and that looks like a boy.’
However an insider told TMZ the crack was a joke, and that Longoria found it funny.
Sheridan also said that Cherry was abusive to other cast members and writers, especially actress Teri Hatcher, who plays Susan Mayer.
The court documents also reveal how much she had been paid for starring in the show, and how her pay had been gradually increased, but the figures are blacked out.
Old times: Sheridan appearing as Edie Britt in as scene alongside Eva Longoria on the hit show
The Knots landing star also claims he had made disgusting comments about Eva Longoria when he attended her wedding to basketball player Tony Parker in 2007.
She said: ‘Mr Cherry commented that ‘Tony must like boys, because he is marrying this - this little small girl with no t**s and that looks like a boy.’
However an insider told TMZ the crack was a joke, and that Longoria found it funny.
Sheridan also said that Cherry was abusive to other cast members and writers, especially actress Teri Hatcher, who plays Susan Mayer.
The court documents also reveal how much she had been paid for starring in the show, and how her pay had been gradually increased, but the figures are blacked out.
The cast of the show have been united in their defence of Cherry.
Last year the shows stars Teri Hatcher, 46, Eva Longoria, 36, Felicity Huffman, 48, and Marcia Cross, 49, joined together to issue a statement dismissing her claims.
It read:'We have no first-hand knowledge of what Nicollette may or may not have experienced, but we would never characterise our set as a hostile environment.
Teri Hatcher issued a personal statement in which she said: 'I have never felt discriminated against.
'In fact, I have felt heard and respected by Marc and other executives in regards to both my professional and personal needs.'
Fight: Nicollette Sheridan filed papers as part of her $20 million lawsuit against her former Desperate Housewives bosses it emerged today The 47-year-old actress is suing the Desperate HousewiveS creator for wrongful termination, breach of contract and battery. The broadcasters have claimed the director gave her a 'light tap' while they were rehearsing a scene. And Cherry insists she only had a one-year deal and the renewal option wasn't utilised until the end of each series. Sheridan claims she was slapped on the head by Cherry because she had criticised the shows scripts and denies she was unprofessional during filming. However Sheridan had claimed the ‘incident’ had been dismissed following an internal investigation as being ‘a light tap’ on the side of her head, and no further action was taken. Cherry has always denied he and Sheridan had anything more than a verbal argument.
Denial: Show creator Marc Cherry has denied Sheridan's claims he hit her and dismissed her unfairly She had originally claimed wrongful termination, retaliatory termination, assault and battery, discrimination based on sex and age, gender violence, breach of good faith and intentional infliction of emotional distress. She has subsequently dropped the latter charge to avoid having to submit to a psychiatric evaluation, and will not make any claims for emotional or physical damages. In the submitted legal papers she said: ‘Mr Cherry harassed and discriminated against me because I am a woman. ‘Mr Cherry sang the praises of the other four leading actresses on the show but made disparaging comments about me and my character Edie Britt. ‘Mr Cherry was extremely controlling with respect to the scripts, particularly when the female actors on the show would propose script changes.’
Happier times: Cherry and the show's original cast celebrating winning the best comedy Golden Globe in 2006 In contrast she states that the producer would regularly meet with male stars and discuss their characters and plot-lines. Sheridan also claims the reason she was kicked off the show because she reported Cherry for hitting her. She dropped the claims of physical injury and emotional distress in December, but she still maintains the claims are valid. Following a disagreement about a scene she claims they had a bust-up. She said: ‘Cherry stopped and said, ‘what is it you want?’
Submitted briefs: Sheridan's sex symbol status was not enough to save her from the Desperate Housewives axe and a legal fight ‘I started to say, ‘I’ll tell you again’ and at that stage he stepped towards me and hit me hard on the head with his open hand. It was a hard hit. My head jerked.’
British-born Sheridan then said that four months after the alleged slapping incident in February 2009, she was told her character was being written out and her contract terminated.
She also reiterates previous claims that gay writer Cherry had told her he wished the show’s leading actress Teri Hatcher would die in a car accident.
She said: ‘I invited him to my trailer and he began ranting about Teri Hatcher’s complaints about the writing, that he hated her, that he should have listened to everybody else and should not have hired her, and that he hoped she’d get hit by a car and die.
‘His reaction was so strong I found it to be horrifying.’
Shocking: Sheridan (second left) claims Cherry said horrifying things about Teri Hatcher (right) and Eva Longoria (left)
The Knots landing star also claims he had made disgusting comments about Eva Longoria when he attended her wedding to basketball player Tony Parker in 2007.
She said: ‘Mr Cherry commented that ‘Tony must like boys, because he is marrying this – this little small girl with no t**s and that looks like a boy.’
However an insider told TMZ the crack was a joke, and that Longoria found it funny.
Sheridan also said that Cherry was abusive to other cast members and writers, especially actress Teri Hatcher, who plays Susan Mayer.
The court documents also reveal how much she had been paid for starring in the show, and how her pay had been gradually increased, but the figures are blacked out.
Old times: Sheridan appearing as Edie Britt in as scene alongside Eva Longoria on the hit show The Knots landing star also claims he had made disgusting comments about Eva Longoria when he attended her wedding to basketball player Tony Parker in 2007.
She said: ‘Mr Cherry commented that ‘Tony must like boys, because he is marrying this – this little small girl with no t**s and that looks like a boy.’
However an insider told TMZ the crack was a joke, and that Longoria found it funny.
Sheridan also said that Cherry was abusive to other cast members and writers, especially actress Teri Hatcher, who plays Susan Mayer.
The court documents also reveal how much she had been paid for starring in the show, and how her pay had been gradually increased, but the figures are blacked out. The cast of the show have been united in their defence of Cherry. Last year the shows stars Teri Hatcher, 46, Eva Longoria, 36, Felicity Huffman, 48, and Marcia Cross, 49, joined together to issue a statement dismissing her claims. It read:'We have no first-hand knowledge of what Nicollette may or may not have experienced, but we would never characterise our set as a hostile environment. Teri Hatcher issued a personal statement in which she said: 'I have never felt discriminated against. 'In fact, I have felt heard and respected by Marc and other executives in regards to both my professional and personal needs.' source ">source