julie benz

(S06E17) "I know that you have a secret." - Gaby to Angie

'Desperate Housewives' titles are always found in lyrics of songs written by Stephen Sondheim. This week's unusual title is no different. 'Chromolume #7' is a song in the musical 'Sunday in the Park with George.' More precisely, the Chromolume #7 is a color and light machine featured in an act of the musical.

The title fits with Mary Alice's commentary at the end of the episode saying that it's not always easy to see people's true colors and that people hide their true nature from us every day. This week, we got confirmation on Angie's secret, we learned who Sam really is, we discovered how Gaby acted when she was a high profile model, and we met Preston's girlfriend and mustache!

If 'Body of Evidence,' ABC's medical/crime procedural drama pilot, makes it to the fall schedule, the show's first murder victim may be Wisteria Lane divorcée Katherine Mayfair.

According to the Ausiello Files, 'Desperate Housewives'' Dana Delany is in talks to play the starring role in 'Evidence.' And while ABC would have to give her time off from 'Housewives' to film the premiere hour of the series, that vacation from Wisteria Lane would surely become permanent if the network picks up the show for the fall season -- which is likely, since it comes from sibling production house ABC Studios.

'Dexter' and 'Buffy' alum Julie Benz is heading back to genre TV with a role in the ABC drama pilot 'No Ordinary Family', says The Hollywood Reporter.

The show stars 'Shield' and 'Fantastic Four' vet Michael Chiklis as the head of a super-powered family. Benz will co-star as Chiklis' wife, a sexy scientist who develops super speed (the power, not the drug).

Despite the drab title, 'No Ordinary Family' is shaping up to be a must-see. Chiklis and Benz are two of TV's top actors, and the pilot is the brainchild of producer Greg Berlanti, a guy who knows a thing or two about creating compelling family drama (see 'Everwood', 'Dirty Sexy Money', 'Brothers & Sisters').

Julie Benz has been cast in the ABC drama 'No Ordinary Family,' starring Emmy winner Michael Chiklis ('The Shield'). Benz will play Chiklis' wife in the drama, described as a "gifted scientist" who has a thing for "superspeed." Benz currently recurrs on the hit ABC dramedy 'Desperate Housewives.' [Hollywood Reporter]

More casting news after the jump.

We know for a fact that Julie Benz is happy to have a more light-hearted role to sink her teeth into after her tragic demise on 'Dexter.'

So she must be super happy to have landed smack in the middle of Wisteria Lane. On last night's 'Desperate Housewives' (Sun., 10PM ET on ABC), Robin and Katherine got ... close. But is it all a dream?

It must be, because there's no way Robin is having trouble fitting into her clothes.

Watch the video after the jump.

(S06E16) "You may envy our lives, Gaby, but it's nothing compared to how we envy yours." - Bob to Gaby

After last week's episode centered around Robin, I expected this week's installment to put the main ladies back front and center. I was pleasantly surprised to see that the 'Desperate Housewives'' writers hadn't forgotten about some of the background characters and decided to give them center stage this week.

'The Chase' offered us tidbits about Penny, Karen McCluskey, Andrew, Celia and, two of my favorite recurring characters, Bob and Lee. While introducing a new cryptic character named Sam ... For sure, he has a secret agenda that will rock Wisteria Lane.

(S06E15) "Hello, there!" - Roy to Robin

When Susan and Mike decided to have Robin live under their roof at the end of the last 'Desperate Housewives' episode, it was pretty much a given that her presence on Wisteria Lane would shake things up a bit. As expected, the men and teenage boys drooled all over her while the ladies wanted her off their block asap!

Even if I knew Robin would stick around for a while -- Julie Benz's stay on the show has been extended from three to an unknown number of episodes, by the way -- I never expected her to get a full episode centered around her, especially so soon. It almost looks like Marc Cherry and co. are ready to have her permanently move to Wisteria Lane, don't you think?

Not only did Robin have an impact on all ladies and their families, which helped change their minds about Robin, but the character's background got fleshed out rather rapidly. We may even know more about Robin after only two episodes than we did about the Applewhites at the end of their season!

Julie Benz has been all over the place since her latest stint on 'Dexter' came to an abrupt and shocking end.

And apparently, no one was more shocked about her character than Julie herself! "Out of all the characters that I've played, I think she's the one I grieved for the most, just because it really came out of left field."

She recently sat down with our own Jane Boursaw for an interview at AOL Television (the only reason they wouldn't let me do it is because the majority of my dialogue would have consisted of drooling and repeating the phrase "Hamina-hamina-hamina").

She talked about her run on the acclaimed Showtime series, as well as her latest run on 'Desperate Housewives' as a stripper in reform and her rumored return to films such as 'Rambo V' and 'Saw VII.'

It's been a wild ride for Julie Benz lately. Her character Rita Morgan was tragically killed off in the season four finale of 'Dexter,' and now she's playing a stripper taken in by Susan on 'Desperate Housewives.' Her run on that show has just been extended.

She also has a Hallmark Channel movie, 'Uncorked,' airing March 6. She plays a high-powered executive who's not looking to fall in love, but fate has a different plan when a business conference takes her to wine country.

We caught up with Benz and got the scoop on all her upcoming projects, including several feature films.

Zach Gilford is no longer a free agent. The 'Friday Night Lights' co-star has just been signed to star in the ABC pilot 'Matadors,' playing a third-generation defense attorney. The show is said to be about two feuding families in Chicago, both of whom have ties to the law. No word yet on a premiere date. [Hollywood Reporter]

More casting news after the jump.

Since Julie Benz was written out of 'Dexter,' she found her way to Wisteria Lane as stripper Robin. Her original contract with 'Desperate Housewives' was to appear in three episodes, her first being the January 31 episode titled 'The Glamorous Life.'

However, due to her character being well-received and her promising storyline, she was offered to stay on 'Desperate' a while longer.

Spoilers coming up!

(S06E14) "Stink, stank, stunk." - Lynette to Dr. Graham

Before going on a short hiatus, Desperate Housewives treated us with a so-so episode. This week's episode introduced an almost unrecognizable Julie Benz as stripper Robin (see above), whom Susan takes under her wing; offered us a funnily stinky performance from Frasier's Jane Leeves, which helped Tom and Lynette grow as a couple; put Angie and the Solises at odds as Danny and Ana were ready to take their relationship to the next step; and had the Bree-Orson storyline take a turn that I'm not enjoying at all.

James Van Der Beek has landed a recurring role on NBC's 'Mercy.' The 'Dawsons Creek' alum will play Dr. West on the freshman medical drama series, a "cocky" and "womanizing" doctor who is also harboring a major secret. If all goes well, Van Der Beek -- who has recently guested on shows like 'Ugly Betty,' 'The Forgotten' and 'One Tree Hill' -- could become a series regular. In the meantime, no word on when he'll officially scrub in. [Ausiello Files]

More casting news after the jump.

Are you sad that Julie Benz is no longer going to play dear sweet Rita on Dexter? Did her tragic departure shatter the last remaining ounce of hope you had of living in a free and humane world? Does her exit have you questioning the existence of a just and fair God? If so, please seek immediate professional help.

And don't fret. Actress Julie Benz has already racked up an interesting role on ABC's Desperate Housewives.

And when I say "interesting," I mean "smoking hot." Her character, Debbie, is a stripper who is trying to earn a Master's degree in education. Think of it as a late night "Skinemax" movie but with a better acting coach.

Dexter Morgan may have summarily offed Rita, but actress Julie Benz didn't go down the drain, despite appearing in one of the most shocking bathroom-centered demises in recent broadcast history. The actress, being done with 'Dexter,' has been seeking a nifty new gig and now she has one: playing a stripper who gets involved with the lovely ladies of Wisteria Lane.