Desperate Housewives to return for a second run on Channel 4

by Joe Lepper, Brand Republic 06-Apr-05, 12:30

LONDON - 'Desperate Housewives' is set to return to Channel 4 next year, after US television network ABC gave the go-ahead for a second series of the hit drama.

Channel 4 has confirmed it has already secured the rights to the second series as part of the acquisition deal involving the first series, which has proved a ratings hit in the US and UK.

The dark comedy about the lives and secrets of a group of suburban housewives secures around 5.5m viewers an episode in the UK and helped Channel 4 score its highest January viewing figures for five years earlier this year. In the US, it is ABC's highest-rating show, pulling in around 22.8m viewers an episode.

A Channel 4 spokeswoman confirmed the second series will be screened next year, but was unable to be more specific.

Yesterday, Channel 4 announced the replacement for acquisitions head June Dromgoole, who sealed the 'Desperate Housewives' and 'Lost' deals and is retiring. Her role will be taken by Five's director of acquisitions Jeff Ford.

The decision by ABC to recommission the series is a welcome piece of good news for the programme makers, after a raft of negative headlines about rumours of friction between its stars on a recent front-page photoshoot for Vanity Fair.

It was reported that Teri Hatcher, who won a Golden Globe award for her role as single mother Susan Mayer in the show, and Marcia Cross, who plays Bree Van De Kamp, were involved in a disagreement involving placings and choice of swimsuits for the shoot.

In addition, ABC has said that 'Lost', another of its shows that has been picked up by Channel 4, will also get a second run. The first series of the show, about a group of plane-crash survivors on a remote island, is to be screened in August on Channel 4.

'Alias', which along with 'Lost' is created by JJ Abrams, is another show that will be back for another series in the US, ABC has announced. The fourth series of 'Alias' is currently broadcast on Bravo in the UK.

The show made a star out of Jennifer Garner, who has since appeared in a number of movies including '13 Going on 30' and 'Elektra'. ABC has also given the greenlight to a fifth season of 'Alias'.

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