Katherine Mayfair

Katherine Mayfair
Desperate Housewives character
Dana Delany as Katherine Mayfair
Portrayed byDana Delany
Duration2007–2010, 2012
First appearance"Now You Know"
4x01, September 30, 2007
Last appearance"Finishing the Hat"
8x23, May 13, 2012
Created byMarc Cherry
In-universe information
Other namesKatherine Davis (first married name)
Kathy (nickname by Wayne)
Occupation
  • Owner of French Pastry Company
  • Former
  • President of the Homeowners Association
  • Caterer
  • Housewife
HusbandWayne Davis (divorced, deceased)
Adam Mayfair (divorced)
DaughtersDylan Davis (deceased)[1]
Adoptive daughtersDylan Mayfair
GrandchildrenUnnamed grandchild (via Dylan with Bradley)
UnclesMr Simms (deceased)[2]
AuntsLillian Simms (deceased)
First cousinsMr Simms[3]
Other relativesBradley (son-in-law)[4]

Katherine Irma Mayfair is a fictional character created by Marc Cherry for the ABC television series Desperate Housewives. The character was portrayed by Dana Delany and first appeared in the series' fourth season premiere on September 30, 2007, as the focus of the yearly mystery.[5]

Katherine is generally characterized by her cold demeanor and impressive domestic skills. Though initially a homemaker, Katherine started a catering business with neighbor Bree Van de Kamp (Marcia Cross), with whom she shares "a heated rivalry."[6] She has been married twice, to Wayne Davis (Gary Cole) and Adam Mayfair (Nathan Fillion), but both relationships ended in divorce. Katherine has had two children; Dylan Davis (Hailee Denham), her daughter who died as a young child, and Dylan Mayfair (Lyndsy Fonseca), her adoptive daughter. The character was later paired with Mike Delfino (James Denton) in the fifth season, which later ended when he returned to and remarried Susan Mayer (Teri Hatcher), leading to Katherine's nervous breakdown in the sixth season. Later that season saw Katherine written into the series' first lesbian relationship with Robin Gallagher (Julie Benz).[7] Delany left the series soon thereafter, when the character relocated to Paris indefinitely with Robin.[8] Delany returned for a guest appearance during the series finale of Desperate Housewives in 2012.[9]

Delany's portrayal received praise from critics and audiences, with many critics attributing the improved quality of the series' fourth season to Delany's performance. The actress was a critics' favorite for a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2008.

  1. ^ Season 4 episode 11 and 17
  2. ^ Mary Alice mentioned him in her open narration in "If There's Anything I Can't Stand". Larry Shaw (director), Alexandra Cunningham and Lori Kirkland Baker (writers). Desperate Housewives. October 21, 2007. Season 4, no. 4.
  3. ^ Appear in "What Would We Do Without You?". Larry Shaw (director), Bob Daily (writer). Desperate Housewives. May 13, 2007. Season 3, no. 22.
  4. ^ Dylan said his name at very end of "Free". David Grossman (director), Jeff Greenstein (writer). Desperate Housewives. May 18, 2008. Season 4, no. 17.
  5. ^ Desperate Housewives Episode: "Now You Know". TV Guide. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
  6. ^ "Katherine Mayfair (Dana Delany): Official Character Biography" Archived 2010-07-23 at the Wayback Machine. American Broadcasting Company. Retrieved June 16, 2010.
  7. ^ "Katherine Mayfair, Desperate Housewives". LGBT Fans Deserve Better. May 30, 2017. Retrieved April 5, 2021.
  8. ^ "My Two Young Men". David Grossman (director), Bob Daily (writer). Desperate Housewives. ABC. March 21, 2010. Season 6, no. 18.
  9. ^ "'Desperate Housewives' Lures Trio of Alums Back for Final Season". Hollywood Reporter. 2011-11-23. Retrieved 2012-05-19.