Drea de Matteo, known for her role in The Sopranos, recently showered praise on her Desperate Housewives co-star Marcia Cross for her unapologetic use of Botox, describing her as a “pure f**king genius.” De Matteo, who portrayed Angie Bolen in the popular Noughties series, revealed that there was tension among the cast members during filming, with her being advised to steer clear of any conflicts.
Despite the on-set challenges, De Matteo singled out Cross, who played Bree Van de Kamp, for her exceptional talent. In an interview with Metro, De Matteo expressed admiration for Cross’s ability to deliver powerful performances while maintaining a flawless appearance due to Botox. She described watching Cross work as one of her favourite things, praising the entire cast for their remarkable acting skills.
Accustomed to predominantly male-driven shows, De Matteo enjoyed the experience of working with a group of talented women on Desperate Housewives. She noted that while they appeared composed on the surface, there was intense passion and fire underlying their performances, which she found inspiring. However, despite her appreciation for her co-stars, De Matteo acknowledged that she did not feel like she fit in with the cast’s acting style.
Reflecting on her time on the show, De Matteo admitted that she had to accept that her acting approach differed from that of her co-stars. She emphasised the importance of recognising one’s strengths and limitations as an actor, acknowledging that her skills may lie in portraying characters that others might not excel at. Addressing the reported feuds among the cast members, De Matteo revealed that she chose to stay out of any conflicts and observed that the atmosphere on the set of Sons of Anarchy, another show she starred in, was more tense than on Desperate Housewives.
As she looks back on her experience on the hit series, De Matteo appreciates the valuable lessons she learned from working alongside a talented cast, even if she felt like she didn’t completely belong. Despite any challenges she faced, the actor remains grateful for the opportunity to be a part of such a successful and iconic show.