ABC considering ending Desperate Housewives after next season

ABC is considering making the eight season of its soapy drama Desperate Housewives the last.

A scene from series six of Desperate Housewives, which featured John Barrowman

“It’s all dependent on the ratings… Desperate Housewives will be up against some stiff competition” — An “insider” quoted on TV Guide

TV Line report that ABC is considering such a move but the future of the Marc Cherry series is very much dependent on ratings and how ABC’s new dramas fair.

ABC has big hopes for its revived Charlie’s Angels and new dramas Pan Am and Once Upon a Time. If all three shows perform well then perhaps the future for the residents of Wisteria Lane may be bleak.

Fans of Desperate Housewives need not worry too much though. The series still pulls in decent ratings for ABC and showrunner, and creator, Marc Cherry reportedly has a deal lasting until 2013 and several actors on the series have previously stated they are expecting a ninth series – which may be a more likely candidate for a final season.

The drama airs on Channel 4 in the UK.