Fans of the show "Desperate Housewives" were likely sad to witness the death of the character Edie Britt, who was played by actress Nicollette Sheridan. The actress's character was killed in a mid-season car accident as a means of writing her out of the show.

While this made for some interesting on-screen drama, the real drama is happening between Sheridan and the producers of the show. She claims that the decision to kill off her character was unlawful retaliation following a sexual harassment and assault incident with the show's creator and executive producer.

Sheridan filed a sexual harassment lawsuit in 2010 against ABC and Marc Cherry, who produces Desperate Housewives. She claims that Cherry subjected her to sexual harassment, and also alleges that he once struck her during an argument the two had in 2008.

Finally, she contends that the decision to kill her character was retaliation from the previous incident, and thus constitutes wrongful termination.

An attorney who represents Cherry argues that the decision to kill of Sheridan's character was made before the alleged fight ever took place. Furthermore, the network contends that it was a cost-cutting measure and not retaliation.

Sheridan's lawyer notes, however, that the decision was not motivated by money because the character was killed in the middle of the season. Sheridan was still under a very lucrative contract which the network had to honor.

A Los Angeles judge recently ruled that Sheridan's lawsuit has sufficient merit to receive a trial and be decided by a jury. The ruling dismissed Sheridan's charges of sexual harassment and assault, but her lawyers will be able to pursue the claims of unlawful retaliation, wrongful termination and battery.

Source: The Seattle Times online, "Judge clears 'Housewives' firing lawsuit for trial," Anthony McCartney, 03 May 2011