Monday, December 12, 2022 from 9:10 p.m. on TF1, it’s already Christmas for fans of “Desperate Housewives”: the channel is broadcasting the TV movie “Love at first sight before Christmas” with Teri Hatcher and James Denton! For AlloCiné, this one looks back on this festive project.
Back to Wisteria Lane this Monday, December 12, 2022… or almost! From 9:10 p.m., the first channel broadcasts the new TV movie Love at first sight before Christmas with Teri Hatcher and James Denton, the interpreters of Susan and Mike in Desperate Housewives. This fiction also marks the reunion of the actors, ten years after the end of the cult American series.
Here, the duo replays the couple by embodying Joyce and Ethan, a united wife and husband, parents of two adopted children. They met twenty years ago, being stuck in the same elevator for hours on December 24…
A Christmas story…
These days, Ethan is questioning some of his professional choices. He believes that he could have made a much better living if he had followed other directions… In full questioning, Santa Claus hears his questions and then transports him to a parallel world… in which he never took the elevator with Joyce!
Ethan is therefore very rich here but his family no longer exists! Desperate to find Joyce and their offspring, will he be able to get his life back in time? With AlloCiné, James Denton returned to this project in which he plays, but where he also officiates as a producer. The actor tells us about his collaboration with Teri Hatcher, his former partner, and evokes his memories of Desperate Housewives.
AlloCiné: In addition to playing in “Love at first sight before Christmas”, you are also a producer of the TV movie. Did you enjoy wearing this cap?
James Denton: The best thing I could do in this place was to cast Teri Hatcher! (laughs) We were lucky that she said “Yes” because she is fantastic. That was really the coolest part of this project, being able to recruit her. As an actor, you can have a small impact but you don’t have the power. As a producer, I was able to convince her to participate, choose the filming locations, the music… It was more “my” TV movie.
What do you think makes a good Christmas TV movie?
Positivity, hope, happiness… The purpose of Christmas is to wish for the best and to be able to start from scratch, like with the New Year. People see these holidays as a symbol of moving forward. On the screen, there is also always more Christmas with the trees, the decorations, the music… All these elements have their little effect to spread the joy.
Don’t you find that these fictions are too silly and clichéd?
Never ! (laughs) I see what you mean but I wouldn’t say “dumb”. It can nevertheless overflow with good feelings, indeed. But Hallmark (the channel that broadcast the TV movie in the USA, editor’s note) has to make forty Christmas films a year so it must be popular since the public is present. He expects things in these productions. The challenge for us is to manage to tell a story that is not exactly like the others.
Why do you think viewers love Christmas TV movies so much?
Like I said, they want positivity. The political climate is harsh, people are very divided… They are looking for something comforting like a home, where others are not mean to each other, where others are hopeful and caring. Christmas movies are so popular because it’s an escape.
How was this collaboration with Teri Hatcher organized?
She and I have stayed in touch since Desperate Housewives ended in 2012, never getting to see each other again. We had always talked about doing something together again but we hadn’t found a project. So when I got this deal to do this TV movie and became a producer, I immediately called her to tell her I had found something. The channel then jumped at the chance because it knew it was lucky to have Teri!
How did your reunion in person on the set go?
I wish we had a backstage camera to show that because it was funny! I was already there and she showed up for a costume fitting. We saw each other and immediately hugged. It was cute and a great reunion.
Seeing you reunited in “Love at first sight before Christmas” will it be a consolation for the fans of the couple Mike/Susan of “Desperate Housewives”?
I think so. A lot of fans told me they were sad when Mike was killed… That made me happy, by the way! It’s amazing how many people have contacted me to say they were happy to see us both here. Some may have imagined that these new characters, Ethan and Joyce, were in fact Mike and Susan moving forward in a parallel world… I thank them for all their affection.
Have you remained friends with other former actors of the series?
As in any workplace, there are people with whom you become friends and others who remain acquaintances. But the guys and I were close: Ricardo Chavira (Carlos, editor’s note), Doug Savant (Tom, editor’s note), Kyle MacLachlan (Orson, editor’s note)… We didn’t lose sight of each other and we ran into each other a few time. I also stayed in touch with Eva Longoria (Gabrielle, editor’s note) but only by messages because her life is just crazy!
Ten years after “Desperate Housewives” ended, do you still think killing Mike was a good idea?
Yes ! The writers had warned me that they were planning something big before the last episode that would surprise the public: kill Mike. There were, I think, four episodes left and it was rather advantageous for me since I was paid even when I was dead (laughs) I had a nice goodbye while the other men remained more withdrawn from the characters of their wives. My last scene was very well done and beautiful. It’s weird to say but I was very happy with my death! (laughs)
Every year there are rumors about a possible reboot… Do you think that could happen?
It all depends on the actresses… It was their show. They should be brought together again. I think Teri said she would love to do it… So anything can happen but there were so many people involved who are now scattered across the world. It might be difficult to organize. One thing is for sure, fans would love it!
Would you reapply if offered?
Of course… But it would be complicated since the authors killed me! (laughs) Maybe they’d invent Mike’s evil twin or do some flashbacks… That said, since I’m old now, that wouldn’t be easy either! Anyway, they would find a way to get me involved… In the meantime, I haven’t heard anything about it.