James Denton, known for playing Mike Delfino in Desperate Housewives, shared that his favorite episode was the one where his character met a tragic end. Fans were devastated by Mike’s death, but Denton revealed he thoroughly enjoyed filming the intense scene.
Denton, now 61, told People on December 29, “The one where I got shot. It’s always fun to get chills on camera.” The memorable moment occurred during season 8 when Mike was gunned down in a drive-by shooting in front of his Wisteria Lane home.
Bringing the dramatic sequence to life required meticulous preparation. Denton described the special effects used to simulate his character’s injuries, including a tubing rig that mimicked blood flow. “There’s a guy hiding in the bushes with a detonator to set off the blast,” Denton explained, adding that the process was both challenging and time-consuming.
Denton praised his co-star Teri Hatcher, who played Mike’s love interest, Susan Mayer, for her heartfelt performance during the pivotal scene. Mike pushed Susan out of the bullet’s path, sacrificing himself in the process.
“Teri was so brilliant in that scene,” Denton said. “I was lying in her lap, bleeding out, while she sobbed uncontrollably. She did it all day long, and it was incredibly moving.”The dramatic sequence was shot with a crane, showcasing the raw emotion of the moment. Denton admitted it was difficult not to get caught up in Hatcher’s heartfelt portrayal.
The hit series, which aired from 2004 to 2012, chronicled the lives of women in the fictional town of Fairview. The show featured an ensemble cast, including Hatcher, Felicity Huffman, Marcia Cross, Eva Longoria, and Nicollette Sheridan.
Mike’s death was just one of many on the show, which became infamous for its high body count. “There was a lot of death,” Denton noted. “We killed 56 characters over eight seasons. It became a running joke among the guys on set.”
Denton appreciated that creator Marc Cherry consulted him before deciding Mike’s fate. “They wanted to do something big before the finale that didn’t involve the women,” he said. Denton felt the scene was a fitting conclusion for his character, crediting the writing team for its emotional impact.
Fans often express how moved they were by Mike’s demise. “Almost everyone I talk to says they cried when Mike got shot,” Denton shared, adding that he was proud of the unforgettable moment.
While Desperate Housewives ended over a decade ago, Cherry hasn’t ruled out revisiting Wisteria Lane. He has considered setting a reboot in a different era, explaining that the iconic street remains one of his favorite settings to write for.
“If we ever do it again, I’d want a really good reason artistically,” Cherry said. “There’s still so much that could be explored, but it would have to be meaningful.”
