Where was Desperate Housewives filmed?
2004
City Locations
California (USA)
Location Types
Film Studio, House, Cottage, Mansion
Location Styles
Colonial, Modern, Cape Cod, Rustic, Bed & Breakfast
About Desperate Housewives
Desperate Housewives is an American television comedy-drama series created by Marc Cherry and produced by ABC from 2004 to 2012. The show featured an ensemble cast led by Teri Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, Eva Longoria, Brenda Strong, James Denton, and Nicollette Sheridan as the titular housewives. It follows the lives of four women living in the fictional suburban area of Wisteria Lane as they experience their seemingly perfect lives begin to unravel.
The show begins with the death of Mary Alice Young (Brenda Strong), one of the main characters who narrate events throughout each episode. Her suicide leads her four friends to uncover secrets and mysteries about their town and its residents, all while also dealing with their personal issues. Throughout its eight-season run, Desperate Housewives continued to explore themes like family drama, infidelity, friendship, and neighborhood cattiness.
During its time on air, Desperate Housewives received multiple awards, including Golden Globe Awards for Best Television Series (in 2005 and 2006) and Best Actress for Teri Hatcher, and two Primetime Emmy Awards for Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series for Felicity Huffman in 2005 & Kathryn Joosten in 2008.
Desperate Housewives Locations
Travelers interested in visiting the filming locations responsible for creating the beloved comedy mystery series have an opportunity to explore several of the housewives’ houses. The TV show was entirely filmed at Colonial St., within Universal Studios Hollywood, which is also known as Wisteria Lane to fans of the show.
Situated in California, the area provides a backdrop of stunning natural beauty and serves as a reminder of the long history of filmmaking in Los Angeles. Famous features include Colonial Street, which has been used as a film set for many motion pictures and television shows, and stages 1, 3, 4, 5, and 41 at Universal Studios. The show also filmed some scenes on the backlot at Paramount Studios in Hollywood and Toluca Lake in Los Angeles.
A trip to these film studios offers an opportunity to gain insight into how this memorable show was created. Additionally, visitors can discover how a small community like Wisteria Lane came alive on screen during its eight-year run, leaving us with beautiful memories.
The Wisteria Lane scenes in Desperate Housewives
Wisteria Lane, Colonial St, North Hollywood, CA 91602, USA
A quiet suburban street lined with peaceful homes, the immaculate facade contrasts the secrets and lies that lurk within each of these houses. Wisteria Lane is an unmistakable site, with most of the show's memorable moments unfolding in and around the cul-de-sac.
As the camera pans around Circle Drive, viewers immediately get a sense of the close-knit community of the show as they take in Mrs. McCluskey's (Kathryn Joosten) home, Lynette (Felicity Huffman) and Tom's (Doug Savant) house, Katherine's (Dana Delany) mansion, Bree's (Marcia Cross) Colonial style home, Susan's (Teri Hatcher) cozy cottage, Mary Alice’s (Brenda Strong) charming abode, and Gaby’s (Eva Longoria) modern home.
The street has become an instantly recognizable part of pop culture, with famous films and television shows such as Leave it to Beaver and Buffy the Vampire Slayer taking advantage of its unique architecture for their own stories. The Wisteria Lane set is inside Universal Studios Hollywood at 100 Universal City Plaza in Universal City, California. Visitors can explore the set by purchasing tickets to Universal Studios Hollywood online or at the front gate.
To get to Universal Studios, take a private car (via US-101 N) or public transportation (Metro B line Red). Once inside, there are many other attractions and rides to enjoy before heading to Colonial Street, where you can find Wisteria Lane.
Gaby mows the lawn in a cocktail dress house scene in Desperate Housewives
No. 4349, Colonial St, North Hollywood, CA 91602, USA
Gabrielle Solis (Eva Longoria), who is 28 years old, has a perfect life. But, she is dissatisfied with her marriage to Carlos (Ricardo Antonio Chavira), who is focused on his job. She has a romantic relationship with her teenage gardener John Rowland (Jesse Metcalfe), to keep herself entertained.
Fans can remember the moment from season 1, episode 1 when Gaby tried to hide the fact that her teenage gardener didn't mow the lawn from her husband. So, she left a cocktail party they attended to do the work herself. Even though she was wearing a long dress and stilettos, Gaby's determination to complete the job indicated that she might appear spoiled and demanding. Despite this, she is willing to get her hands dirty if only to keep things hidden from her husband and avoid upsetting him.
The scene was filmed in front of the Solis' home on Colonial Street at Universal Studios (stage number 4349). The house is featured throughout the entire show, from when the couple first moves in together until their reconciliation later on in the series. Colonial Street is a replica of an American suburb street with houses that were built for shooting movies and television shows.
To get to this location, drive to Universal Studios Hollywood, located at 100 Universal City Plaza, Universal City. From there, you can walk around Colonial Street, where stage 4349 is located.
Mike Delfino sees Susan Mayer naked near her house scene in Desperate Housewives
No. 4353, Colonial St, North Hollywood, CA 91602, USA
Susan Mayer (Teri Hatcher) is known for her magnetic charm, but she also has a reputation for being exceptionally clumsy. Throughout the series, her storylines tend to revolve around her romantic relationships, particularly her on-again, off-again marriage to Mike Delfino (James Denton).
In a memorable and possibly embarrassing scene (season 2, episode 3), Susan is seen standing in her yard wearing only a towel after getting locked out of her house. The comedic moment is even more hilarious because her ex-husband Karl (Richard Burgi) drives away with her towel, leaving her stranded and embarrassed.
To make matters worse, Mike Delfino shows up just in time to witness the entire fiasco, but even then, he still asked Susan out on a date. This infamous moment in the show's history has been quoted numerous times since its airing, with Teri Hatcher's comedic timing and the show's signature blend of humor and drama being heralded by fans and critics.
The scene was shot near the yellow house (Susan's house throughout the whole TV show) at Universal Studios, Colonial St., Stage 4353. The house has a first-floor interior consisting of a kitchen and dining room which is the actual part of Susan's house that was constructed in 1955. However, all other indoor scenes of family rooms, formal dining, bedrooms, and bathrooms are shot on a soundstage at the studio.
To get to this location in Universal Studios Hollywood, take first public transportation or drive there. You can either hire a tour guide or purchase a ticket and go directly there. To find Susan's house at Universal Studios' Colonial St., head to the yellow Cape Cod house located at N. 4353.
Bree Van de Kamp's shotgun scene in Desperate Housewives
No. 4354, Colonial St, North Hollywood, CA 91602, USA
We all remember the scene from season 2, episode 9, where Bree (Marcia Cross) showcases her skilled gunmanship. When George (Roger Bart) interrupts her dinner party by singing love songs outside her house, begging to be taken back, Bree's furious look as she pulls out her shotgun and cocks is proof that you should not interrupt a housewife during her party.
The scene was shot at the Universal Studio at Wisteria Lane backdrop. This house is a classic Colonial Revival style construction with an impressive two-story design, complete with bricked lower level and blue weatherboard upper part. Although the interior shots were recorded on a soundstage in the studio, viewers can still appreciate the beauty of the house’s exterior whenever they watch the show.
To visit this location at Universal Studio, buy tickets online or directly at Universal Studios Hollywood ticket booths outside the park's main entrance. Once in there, ask for directions to Wisteria Lane - it will be located within Wisteria Lane (No. 4354), where all the Desperate Housewives film sets are located.
Lynette’s neighbor's house is destroyed by a tornado scene in Desperate Housewives
No. 4355, Colonial St, North Hollywood, CA 91602, USA
If there’s one thing the Wisteria Lane housewives were known for it's their screams. They would shriek in various situations, like seeing a rat or finding a dead loved one. However, in Season 4, Episode 9, when Lynette (Felicity Huffman) screamed upon seeing her family's refuge house reduced to rubble was the most bloodcurdling. The family had taken refuge in a neighbor’s house on Wisteria Lane that the tornado destroyed.
No. 4355 at Colonial St. in Universal Studios, served as the setting for the exterior of Lynette and Tom Scavo's house. Although only a shell with no interior, this location reminds fans of some of the show’s most potent moments.
Drive to Universal Studios in Los Angeles County off Interstate Highway 5 or U.S. Route 101. You will find No. 4355 while taking a tour through Universal Studios.
Los Angeles Filming Locations Exploration
Karen McCluskey passes away scene in Desperate Housewives
No. 4358, Colonial St, North Hollywood, CA 91602, USA
In season 8, episode 23 of the show, a memorable scene features Karen McCluskey (Kathryn Joosten) during the trial. Karen confesses to being the one who killed Gaby's (Eva Longoria) stepfather. This scene serves as a reminder that even in difficult times, people can still unite and show compassion towards each other.
The story then culminates with a heartbreaking ending when Karen dies at her home due to cancer. As a homage, Roy (Orson Bean) plays her favorite record, "Wonderful, Wonderful," until she passes away.
The specific scene was shot in Los Angeles at the Universal Studios backlot, on a set known as Colonial Street. Constructed explicitly for Desperate Housewives in 2007, one of the houses on this set, referred to as the "McCluskey Home,” has complete first and second-floor interiors, while other interior scenes are typically filmed on sound stages.
To visit Karen McCluskey's house on the Universal Studios backlot, purchase theme park tickets online or at the box office. The house is located at No. 4358 on Colonial St, directly across from Lynette Scavo's house.
Discover Los Angeles Video Shoot Locations
Conclusion
Desperate Housewives is an innovative show that offers an insight into the lives of suburban housewives. The actors did an excellent job in delivering their roles and bringing the characters to life, while the script and idea were well thought out and captivating. While the show received positive reviews, some criticized the series for not being feminist enough, arguing that many of the female characters define themselves primarily through their relationships with men.
Desperate Housewives has significantly impacted viewers, as its comedy, drama, and mystery entice people from all backgrounds. The characters are multi-dimensional yet relatable, allowing viewers to connect with them on a deeper level. It touches on issues like family dynamics, infidelity, mental health, social status, and more, giving viewers an escape from their own lives and providing thought-provoking entertainment.
The series was groundbreaking in terms of content and presentation, contributing to the evolution of television by showing how complex stories can still captivate audiences. It also paved the way for other female-driven shows like Big Little Lies and Scandal, which have become hits within their right.