As first reported by TMZ.com, former “Desperate Housewives” actress Nicollette Sheridan is suing series creator Marc Cherry on charges of assault and battery, gender violence, wrongful termination, and “intentional infliction of emotional distress.”
In the suit, obtained by EW, Sheridan alleges that Cherry created a “hostile work environment,” regularly “demeaning” writers and staff, and behaving in a “dismissive, demeaning, and unprofessional manner” towards her both on and off set.
She claims that on Sept. 24, 2008, after she questioned something in the script, Cherry took her aside and “forcefully hit her with his hand across her face and head.” Although Sheridan immediately complained to ABC, she claims no action was taken.
“After she complained to her employer about Cherry's improper behavior, Cherry arranged to have Sheridan terminated from the show, resulting in her losing millions in future earnings,” the lawsuit said.
Sheridan said her compensation for the show was $175,000 an episode for the show's fifth season (when the assault allegedly occurred), $200,000 for the sixth and $250,000 for the seventh.
ABC did not immediately respond to a request for comment. Cherry could not be reached.
The legal papers paint Cherry as someone who became hostile to those who “questioned his authority,” and Sheridan claims her complaints led directly to her termination. What’s more, the suit says, Cherry reportedly told third parties that “he hoped Sheridan would be distraught as a result of the termination.”
In a separate incident cited by way of example, Cherry allegedly once responded to “Housewives” co-star Teri Hatcher’s complaints to the network by saying, “I hope Teri Hatcher gets hit by a car and dies.”
Sheridan is seeking $20 million.
Entertainment Weekly and the Hollywood Reporter contributed to this report.