Fired Actor from Hit ABC Series Opens Up: ‘I Took It in Stride’

Jesse Metcalfe says he was fired from the ABC drama Desperate Housewives after its first season. The actor revealed the news on Tuesday’s episode of the Not Skinny But Not Fat podcast.

Role and storyline

Metcalfe, now 47, played gardener John Rowland on the series. His character was best known for an affair with Gaby Solis, played by Eva Longoria.

Conversation with the creator

Metcalfe says showrunner Marc Cherry told him the series would focus elsewhere. Cherry reportedly explained there was no long-term plan for the gardener character.

Contract status after season one

He was informed he would not remain a series regular moving forward. The production planned to bring him back only on an intermittent basis.

As a fired actor from a hit ABC series, Metcalfe said, “I took it in stride.” He added the timing felt manageable given the circumstances.

Film opportunity cushioned the exit

The actor had been offered the lead in the 2006 comedy John Tucker Must Die. That role eased the impact of his Desperate Housewives departure.

Typecasting and public image

Metcalfe has discussed the aftermath of the role in past interviews. In 2021, he told i‑D Magazine that frequent shirtless scenes created typecasting pressure.

He said keeping an expected physique between projects felt unrealistic. That expectation affected casting and career perception.

Report compiled for Filmogaz.com. The actor continues to discuss his career and choices in recent interviews.