The actress who almost played Bree Van de Kamp
In short: When Dana Delany joined Desperate Housewives in 2007, she brought a dark, complex energy to Wisteria Lane. But the role of the iconic Bree Van de Kamp was actually her second choice, and she had famously turned down the opportunity to join the cast three times before finally accepting.
Before becoming the mysterious Katherine Mayfair, Dana Delany was offered the role of Bree Van de Dend for the series pilot in 2004. Despite the creator Marc Cherry describing her audition as "fantastic," Delany rejected the part three times. She later explained that she felt unready for another television series and believed the character of Bree was too similar to her previous role in Pasadena. Ultimately, the role went to Marcia Cross, the creator's second choice.
Katherine Mayfair arrived in the fourth season premiere on September 30, 2007, as the season's central mystery. Characterized by a cold demeanor and impressive domestic skills, Katherine was far from a simple newcomer. Her backstory was fraught with tragedy, including the death of her biological daughter, Dylan, and a history of fleeing an abusive husband, Wayne Davis. Her arrival was credited by critics like Robert Bianco of USA Today for elevating the series' quality.
The character's arc was defined by intense rivalries and psychological shifts. She shared a heated professional and personal rivalry with Bree Van de Kamp, even co-founding a catering business. Her life was marked by extreme volatility, from a complete nervous breakdown in the sixth season—triggered by Mike Delfino leaving her for Susan Mayer—to her first lesbian relationship with Robin Gallagher. This period of instability eventually led to her departure from the series to relocate to Paris.
A 2008 Primetime Emmy nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series highlighted the industry acclaim Delany achieved. While her character's exit was prompted by Delany's commitment to the pilot for Body of Proof in 2010, she returned for the series finale in 2012, revealing that Katherine had built a successful frozen food empire in France.
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- Summary by Intellect · source: Katherine Mayfair
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