The Ultimate Ranking of Desperate Housewives Characters: Unveiling the Best from the Worst

Summary

The characters on Desperate Housewives are what made the show compelling, and a reboot would be loved by fans due to the well-drawn characters.

Karl Mayer is portrayed as a poorly developed character on the show, adding little depth and not contributing significantly to the overall storylines.

Bree Van de Kamp, on the other hand, stands out as a character, perfectly embodying the desperate housewife archetype and consistently keeping the audience entertained throughout the series.

Desperate Housewives, the popular primetime soap opera, captivated audiences with its intricate plot twists and engaging characters. Rather than being a popularity contest, ranking these characters is based on their level of intrigue and captivation for viewers. Fans eagerly anticipate a potential reboot due to the well-developed characters that populated the series. Whether it's the close-knit group residing on Wisteria Lane, their romantic partners, or their adversaries, each character possesses a unique story, hidden secrets, and a distinctive sense of humor.

Although Eva Longoria expressed her willingness to star in a Desperate Housewives reboot, the show's creator and showrunner, Marc Cherry, remains uncertain about the existence of untapped storylines. Longoria shared, "He feels like he's fully explored those characters," and questioned the timing and relevance of a revival, as reported by E! News. While this may disappoint fans, Desperate Housewives still holds its place among the finest and most captivating TV dramas. Fortunately, supporters can relive the compelling stories of these complex characters through the show's eight seasons.

Karl Mayer

Susan's ex-husband, Karl Mayer (Richard Burgi), is widely despised due to his unpleasant behavior. He cheats on Susan with his secretary, a tired and overused cliché. Karl shows no regard for their relationship or their daughter, Julie (Andrea Bowen), and arrogantly believes he is intellectually superior to others. He embodies the stereotype of a wealthy divorced man, lacking depth and growth.

Karl is undeniably the most disliked character in Desperate Housewives. His presence onscreen is so intolerable that it would have sufficed to simply mention Susan's personal life without actually showing him. While he occasionally adds some drama to Susan's life, there are numerous other engaging storylines that do not require her irritating ex-husband to progress.

Carlos Solis

Although some may consider Carlos a fan favorite, he is not the most engrossing character among the Desperate Housewives cast. Gaby and Carlos Solis appear to lead a perfect life on the surface, with their marriage, wealth, and luxurious residence on Wisteria Lane. However, Carlos's unpleasant nature poses a significant obstacle. He thrives on maintaining a picture-perfect existence, often making him unlikable even in the show's most acclaimed episodes.

Carlos's manipulative and egotistical behavior extends to tampering with Gaby's birth control to fulfill his desire for a child, which is particularly abhorrent given her initial reluctance to have children. Although he becomes a kinder person and reveals his true motivations when he later loses his eyesight, the harm has already been done.

Mike Delfino

When it comes to ranking the husbands on Desperate Housewives, Mike Delfino (James Denton) is a definite favorite among fans. Susan quickly falls in love with Mike, a kind plumber who moves to Wisteria Lane. However, little did anyone know that Mike's true motive for moving was to secretly investigate the disappearance of Deidre, a woman he once had a relationship with.

Mike's indecisiveness when it comes to his feelings for Susan can be frustrating for the storytelling. The constant back and forth of whether they will or won't be together drags on, making it hard to watch at times. While Mike is not a bad person, he could definitely put more effort into his relationship with Susan. Additionally, if more had been revealed about his role as a detective earlier on, it could have made his character even more intriguing.

Tom Scavo

Tom Scavo, portrayed by Doug Savant, is a genuine and deserving individual who deserves a better match than Lynette. He embodies an easygoing nature, cherishes his role as a father, and strives to provide for his family. Compared to other captivating characters in Desperate Housewives, Tom may come across as somewhat dull, lacking a distinct personality.

In the series, Tom's purpose seems to be highlighting the need for Lynette to demonstrate greater care and compassion. Thus, it is fitting that he portrays the archetypal suburban dad. Although he may not be the most captivating character in the show, his presence adds depth to Lynette's character and contributes to the progression of her storylines by introducing conflict.

Susan Mayer

Susan Mayer, portrayed by Teri Hatcher, is a likable character in Desperate Housewives, although not the strongest. She possesses qualities of sweetness, being a good friend, a dedicated mother, and showcasing her artistic creativity as an illustrator for children's books. This unique career sets her apart from the other housewives on Wisteria Lane who do not hold jobs. However, due to the scandals that take center stage on Wisteria Lane, the show does not delve deeply into Susan's profession.

One of Susan's strong points as a character is her constant sense of humor, which brings much-needed lightness to the show. She has a quirky personality and faces life with laughter, even in the face of adversity, such as her ex-husband's infidelity. When Susan experiences the heartbreaking loss of Mike, it becomes one of the most emotional deaths in Desperate Housewives, driving her towards more dramatic storytelling. Nevertheless, she continues to provide a ray of light within the series.

Edie Britt

Edie Britt, portrayed by Nicollette Sheridan, is a cunning and manipulative character who possesses a perpetually immature demeanor, giving the impression that she is forever trapped in high school. The women of Wisteria Lane hold no affection for her, but her indifference towards their opinions and desire to secure a wealthy husband, even if it means pursuing one of their own, remains unaffected. Edie sets her sights on Karl, Susan's ex-partner, and her actions throughout the show often venture into dubious moral territory.

Although Edie may not possess commendable qualities, her presence in Desperate Housewives adds immense entertainment value. Fans expressed dissatisfaction when she departed from the series. While the other women of Wisteria Lane maintained a strong bond, Edie disrupted their unity, instilling doubts among them and introducing crucial conflicts to the storyline.

Mary Alice Young

Mary Alice Young (played by Brenda Strong) bears resemblance to Ali DiLaurentis from Pretty Little Liars in the sense that she is absent from the start of the show. Nonetheless, she holds the role of the Queen Bee within the friend group, with the group's entire desperate housewives narrative revolving around her secrets. Mary Alice plays an instrumental part in initiating the various mysteries within the show, earning her status as one of the most notable Desperate Housewives characters.

Viewers of the pilot episode are left heartbroken as they discover Mary Alice's unfortunate passing. Prior to this revelation, her loved ones were oblivious to her inner struggles. Serving as the show's narrator, her death grants her insight into the hidden aspects of her closest friends' lives. Mary Alice's kindness and compassion make her one of the standout characters on the show; her absence would undoubtedly diminish its impact.

Lynette Scavo

Felicity Huffman's character in Desperate Housewives is much kinder compared to Edie, whose schemes can be frustrating over time. Lynette, as a wife and mother, strives to balance her family life and career. Although not always easy to empathize with, Lynette can come across as cold and selfish, often neglecting her husband Tom.

Although Lynette occasionally displays moments of humor, she should prioritize caring for the people in her life. The most egregious act is when she actively sabotages Tom's chance at a remarkable promotion, ensuring he won't get it. Despite this, Lynette remains a loyal friend and is there for her fellow housewives when scandal strikes. However, it is intriguing that she remains on the outskirts of most scandals in the series, adding to her allure.

Gaby Solis

Gaby Solis stands out as a remarkable character in Desperate Housewives, undergoing a remarkable transformation from a self-centered individual obsessed with her appearance and material possessions to a nurturing mother and loyal friend. The affair she engages in with John, despite being married to Carlos, becomes understandable as she feels trapped in her marriage and believes that Carlos fails to truly comprehend her.

Throughout the early stages of the show, Gaby conceals her own secrets while simultaneously delving into the hidden truths of others. Although she relishes in the gossip surrounding Wisteria Lane, the thought of becoming the subject of it terrifies her. Moreover, witnessing Gaby's internal struggle regarding parenthood proves to be captivating, and when she eventually has children, her love for them alters her perspective on life. Unlike many dramas that suffer from the addition of children to their storylines, Gaby's children only enhance her narrative, making her an even more captivating presence in Desperate Housewives.

Bree Van de Kamp

Bree Van de Kamp, played by Marcia Cross, is undeniably the standout character in Desperate Housewives, embodying the essence of a desperate housewife. Despite her cold demeanor and occasional lack of empathy, her relentless pursuit to emulate Martha Stewart never fails to captivate viewers and serves as the life force of the series. Bree encapsulates the consequences of sacrificing happiness in pursuit of perfection, as her unhappiness becomes glaringly evident, proving that a well-manicured lawn, a beautiful home, and material possessions cannot rescue her from her misery.

Similar to Gaby, Bree experiences significant personal growth throughout the show. However, she also experiences regressions on numerous occasions, all stemming from incidents that tarnish her meticulously crafted image. Bree's presence is indispensable to the essence of Desperate Housewives; even in its weakest episodes, she remains an engaging and compelling character. Bree's presence elevates Desperate Housewives into the addictive, soap opera-like drama that it is known for.