See Also: Marc Cherry (Creator) People Guide

While attending the Critics Association's 21st annual award show last Saturday, Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry revealed some more plot tidbits for season two—including news on another new guest castmember.

But first up, news stemming from season one: Rex is definitely dead, said Cherry. "There was a scene in the finale which made it really, really clear," he said, reported OrlandoSentinel. "Because we were long, I cut it. I thought the phone call [from the doctor to Bree] did it. I did not mean to confuse the fans in any way." But with the death of Rex, his mother will be paying a trip to Wisteria Lane, and Cherry revealed that Shirley Knight had been cast in the role. She will apparently have a "battle royale" with Bree over Rex's funeral.

Cherry also revealed plotlines for other characters. He teased with more details on new arrival Alfre Woodward's Betty Applewhite. "Her character was a concert pianist," Cherry revealed. "She's going to be involved in something pretty gothic on the show—pretty dark and spooky." He also said that Susan will learn the truth about Mike's connection to Zach, Gabrielle finds a way to convince Carlos that she is carrying his baby and that Edie will begin a relationship in the second episode of the season that will annoy Susan. He also confirmed the recent news that Joely Fisher will play one of Lynette's Scavo's bosses when she returns to work "in a surprising way".

Also covering the event was the Edmonton Sun which took the opportunity to tell Cherry about how Canadian broadcaster CTV merged Desperate Housewives into its Juno Award show earlier this year. Cherry was not impressed. "It sounds horrible. I don't think it's the best way to showcase Desperate Housewives," he said. "I think it takes people out of the moment of the show, so I would question the wisdom of doing that in terms of what the fans would like to see." However he conceded there was nothing he could do. "[CTV] bought it, they paid for it and they can show it however they like."

Sixty-nine year-old Knight, who will star in the show as Rex's mother, has an extensive TV and film career that has spanned five decades. TV appearances include roles on Murder, She Wrote, Law & Order: Special Victims Unit, Crossing Jordan and House. She won Emmys for her guest stints on NYPD Blue and thirtysomething. Film roles include Divine Secrets of the Ya-Ya Sisterhood, Angel Eyes and As Good as It Gets. In the '60s she was twice nominated for an Oscar for her supporting roles in Sweet Bird of Youth and The Dark at the Top of the Stairs.

For more from Cherry, as well as details on Lost's second season, click here. More on Cherry's reaction to CTV's use of Desperate Housewives can be found here.

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