James Denton, known for his role as Mike Delfino on the iconic show 'Desperate Housewives', reveals his unexpected delight about the character's demise during the series' eighth season. The actor, now 61, fondly remembers the dramatic scene as one of his favorites, explaining how filming it became both exciting and emotionally gripping.
Mike Delfino's death, resulting from a drive-by shooting, occurred during season eight, episode 16, leaving many fans still mourning over the loss of the beloved character twelve years later. "The one where I got shot," Denton told PEOPLE, highlighting how much he enjoyed the chilling experience on camera. "It's always fun to get chills on camera," he added with laughter, showing his appreciation for the dark humor present within the show's narrative.
The behind-the-scenes details of the filming reveal the elaborate process required to portray such intensity on screen. Denton explained, "You have one tube up one leg of your pants; it has the blood to your chest, and you have a wire running down the other leg. This guy is out in the bushes with a detonator to set the blast off," he explained, providing intriguing insight to how special effects were managed for the pivotal scene. He continued, "And you can only do it about two or three times, and that's the whole day," underscoring the laborious nature of filming such dramatic moments.
Despite the technical challenges, Denton shared the emotional weight of shooting his character's final moments, especially alongside co-star Teri Hatcher, who played Susan Mayer. During the scene, Mike pushes Susan away, taking the bullet meant for her. Denton described her performance as "brilliant," recounting the intensity of filming as he lay on her lap, bleeding out, captured by the overhead crane shot. "She's just sobbing uncontrollably. And it was so hard for me not to break up and cry because she was so heartbreaking," he recounted, demonstrating the emotional bond shared between the characters.
Over the years, 'Desperate Housewives' has gained notoriety for its sometimes salacious nature, yet Denton highlights another aspect: the high death toll among its characters. With 56 deaths cited during the series, he chuckled at how often cast members would comment on who might die next, stating, "The guys joked the entire run, 'Who was gonna get killed?'" He noted, "For all the talk about 'Housewives' being so salacious, there wasn't much sex — but there was a lot of murder."
The show's gripping storylines and character development have left lasting impressions. Even now, fans approach Denton to express their sadness over Mike's sudden death. "I love the fact people are really sweet, almost everyone I talk to comments on the fact they cried when Delfino got shot, but it was set up beautifully by writer Matt Berry and Marc Cherry," he shared, illustrating the emotional investment viewers had with the show.
Despite the heartbreak, Denton expressed contentment with how Mike's death was executed, referring to it as having had the right amount of drama and impact. "It felt like a big send-off," he remarked, pleased with the narrative culmination of his character's story. Denton added, "They actually called me in to talk about killing Delfino off — which I thought was very respectful of them," highlighting the collaborative nature of storytelling on the series.
'Desperate Housewives’ remains an influential program, recently making its entirety available for streaming on Hulu, allowing new audiences to experience its dramatic twists and turns. James Denton’s reflections reveal much about the show's legacy and the emotional depth of the characters within it, illustrating how impactful storytelling can resonate far beyond its original airing. The combination of humor, drama, and occasional tragedy made it much more than just another TV show; it's left fans with enduring memories, proving the power of narrative and connection.