SB. The star of soap opera ‘Knots Landing’ – do you remember her?

Nicollette Sheridan first captured audiences in the 1980s through iconic roles on television. Born on November 21, 1963, in Worthing, England, she moved to the United States with her mother and grew up in Hollywood. Her early career as a model led to a breakout acting role in the ABC drama Paper Dolls (1984), followed by a supporting part in the romantic comedy film The Sure Thing (1985).

Rise to Stardom: Knots Landing Era

Sheridan’s standout performance came in 1986 when she joined CBS’s prime-time soap opera Knots Landing as Paige Matheson. Her character was introduced mid-series and quickly became integral to its narrative. Sheridan remained with the show for seven seasons until its 1993 conclusion. She earned two Soap Opera Digest Awards, including Outstanding Lead Actress in 1990, and was named one of People’s “50 Most Beautiful People” in 1991.

Expanding into Film and Television

Throughout the 1990s, Sheridan continued to build her resume, with roles in television films such as Virus (1995) and The People Next Door (1996), as well as feature films like Spy Hard (1996) and Beverly Hills Ninja (1997). While her film roles were relatively limited, she remained a familiar face in television.

Edie Britt: Desperate Housewives

In 2004, Sheridan returned to prominence when cast as Edie Britt on ABC’s Desperate Housewives. The role quickly became central to the show’s appeal. From 2004 to 2009, she appeared in 92 episodes and earned a Golden Globe nomination in 2005.

But Sheridan’s departure from the show in 2009 prompted considerable controversy. Edie Britt was killed off in an on-screen accident involving electrocution, earlier foreshadowed during season five.

Behind the Scenes: Legal Battle

Following her exit from Desperate Housewives, Sheridan filed a high-profile lawsuit in April 2010. She sued ABC, Touchstone Television, and creator Marc Cherry for assault and battery, wrongful termination, and retaliation. She alleged that Cherry physically struck her on set during a 2008 rehearsal and implied that her firing was in retaliation for her complaints.

Cherry denied the allegations, claiming any physical contact was a “mere tap” intended to illustrate a scene. He added that the decision to remove Sheridan’s character predated the incident and was driven by creative and budgetary concerns.

Initial trial proceedings in early 2012 ended in a mistrial after an 8–4 jury split. A judge later dismissed Sheridan’s lawsuit, ruling the events stemmed from at-will contract decisions. Sheridan appealed, seeking reinstatement of her allegations under California labor protection statutes. However, appeals continued through late 2012 and 2013. Ultimately, courts ruled she had not been wrongfully terminated under fixed-term contract law, closing the case.

Career After Desperate Housewives

In the years following her legal dispute, Sheridan took a step back from high-profile roles. She pursued projects at Hallmark, working both in front of and behind the camera, with titles like Honeymoon for One (2011) and The Christmas Spirit (2013).

Her return to prime-time television occurred in 2017, when she was cast as Alexis Carrington in The CW’s Dynasty reboot. After two seasons, Sheridan left the series in 2019, explaining that she needed to care for her mother during a serious illness.

In 2023, she appeared in the Lifetime movie Ladies of the ’80s: A Divas Christmas, reuniting with several fellow soap-era icons.

Reputation and Public Perception

Sacrifices stemming from Sheridan’s departure from Desperate Housewives left a mixed legacy. While many fans were deeply attached to her character, behind-the-scenes reports from insiders suggested strained relationships with cast and crew. The lawsuit highlighted broader industry tensions, including those involving creator Marc Cherry and primary cast members.

Despite her exit, Sheridan earned acclaim for standing up for her rights. In a 2018 interview, she reflected on the experience—calling her departure degrading yet expressing pride in speaking out. She credited the broader Time’s Up and #MeToo movements for enabling her return to television.

Legacy of an Icon

Today, Nicollette Sheridan maintains a resilient presence in the entertainment industry. She continues to engage with fans via social media and recently celebrated the fourteenth anniversary of Desperate Housewives. She remains known for her strong performances, endurance in adversity, and ongoing work behind the camera.

Sources

• Wikipedia: Nicollette Sheridan biography and career overview
• Entertainment Weekly: Trial coverage and Sheridan interviews
• The Sun: Retrospectives and recent updates
• People.com: Sheridan lawsuit coverage
• CBS/AP: Court rulings and appeals
• TV Line: Interview on Dynasty departure