TV Hot Spot: News

'Housewives' Star Cross Takes Work Home

Post by: Sal

Marcia Cross is about to take a doctor-ordered break from "Desperate Housewives," but even while she's on bed rest, she's still contributing to the show.

The 44-year-old actress is pregnant with twins, and she's been told to stay off her feet until the babies are born (she's due in April). Both Cross and her doctor agreed to let her film a few scenes in her own home before she takes her maternity leave.

"Obviously everybody knew she was pregnant, and first and foremost that's a great thing. ... We're really happy for her," ABC Entertainment chief Stephen McPherson told reporters Sunday at the network's TCA press tour session.

"Because she went on bed rest slightly prematurely from where we had planned, we're actually shooting some of the episodes to finish up her arc for the first part of the season at her home, in bed."

McPherson says Cross will be seen in the next two or three episodes of "Housewives" before taking her leave, and may be back for the end of the season. He also praises Cross, who's up for a Golden Globe Monday night, for letting the show into her home.

"She's been such a sport to do it, so it's kind of a fun thing," McPherson says.

Cross' absence from several episodes will likely mean more screen time for Nicollette Sheridan, "Desperate Housewives" creator Marc Cherry says.

"She's going to be promoted and be front and center for the remainder of the season," Cherry said Sunday. "She's going to have a fascinating romance with someone who already lives on the street, and we're going to be meeting her son that was mentioned in the pilot. ... I've been really excited about the fact that we're going to have the space to give Nicollette what she so sorely deserves, because she's fantastic."