Regular Starring •
Teri Hatcher as
Susan Mayer •
Felicity Huffman as
Lynette Scavo •
Marcia Cross as
Bree Van de Kamp •
Eva Longoria as
Gabrielle Solis •
Nicollette Sheridan as
Edie Britt •
Alfre Woodard as
Betty Applewhite •
Ricardo Antonio Chavira as
Carlos Solis •
Mark Moses as
Paul Young •
Andrea Bowen as
Julie Mayer •
Doug Savant as
Tom Scavo •
Cody Kasch as
Zach Young •
Richard Burgi as
Karl Mayer •
Brenda Strong as
Mary Alice Young •
James Denton as
Mike Delfino Also starring •
Shawn Pyfrom as
Andrew Van de Kamp •
Joy Lauren as
Danielle Van de Kamp •
Mehcad Brooks as Matthew Applewhite •
Brent Kinsman as
Preston Scavo •
Shane Kinsman as
Porter Scavo •
Zane Huett as
Parker Scavo •
Page Kennedy as Caleb Applewhite •
NaShawn Kearse as Caleb Applewhite •
Roger Bart as George Williams
Supporting Recurring •
Currie Graham as Ed Ferrara •
Harriet Sansom Harris as Felicia Tilman •
Jay Harrington as Dr. Ron McCready •
Gwendoline Yeo as Xiao-Mei •
Ryan Carnes as Justin •
Kathryn Joosten as
Karen McCluskey •
Charlie Babcock as Stu Durber •
Pat Crawford Brown as Ida Greenberg •
Joely Fisher as Nina Fletcher •
Kurt Fuller as Detective Barton •
Bob Gunton as Noah Taylor •
Alejandro Patino as Ralph •
Lee Tergesen as Peter McMillan •
Kyle MacLachlan as
Orson Hodge • Jill Brennan as Tish Atherton •
Nick Chinlund as Detective Sullivan •
Jeff Doucette as Father Crowley •
Shirley Knight as Phyllis Van de Kamp •
Sam Lloyd as Dr. Albert Goldfine •
Jesse Metcalfe as
John Rowland •
Betty Murphy as Alberta Fromme
Guest •
Steven Culp as
Rex Van de Kamp •
Kiersten Warren as Nora Huntington •
Lesley Ann Warren as Sophie Bremmer •
Terry Bozeman as Dr. Lee Craig • Maria Cominis as Mona Clarke •
Alec Mapa as Vern •
Dakin Matthews as Reverend Sikes 's character was the subject of the season's main mystery. The second season had fourteen roles receiving star billing, out of whom eleven were part of the
first season's main cast. The season sees the promotion of three former guest stars, who begin acting as series regulars from the season's first episode. The series is narrated by
Brenda Strong, from the point of view of the deceased
Mary Alice Young, as she observes, from a unique perspective, the lives of the
Wisteria Lane residents and her former best friends.
Susan Mayer, portrayed by
Teri Hatcher, is divorcée and single mother, who, in her continuous search for a romantic commitment, ends up in bed with her former husband.
Felicity Huffman portrayed
Lynette Scavo, who starts neglecting her responsibilities as a mother, after the realization of her undeniable talent for advertising results in her going back to work after a six-year absence.
Marcia Cross portrayed
Bree Van de Kamp, whose flawless life is shaken after she starts dealing with the aftermath of
her husband's death, while trying to overcome her guilt for having dated the man who killed him. Former model
Gabrielle Solis, portrayed by
Eva Longoria, who suffers a miscarriage just as she starts accepting upcoming motherhood.
Nicollette Sheridan portrayed
Edie Britt, whose commitment issues and numerous one night stands have made her an iconic character.
Ricardo Antonio Chavira played Gabrielle's husband,
Carlos Solis, who has to cope with the revelation of his wife's affair with their gardener, while trying to get out of jail.
Mark Moses continues his role of widower
Paul Young, who tries to cover up the murder of his adoptive son's biological mother.
Zach Young, portrayed by
Cody Kasch, finally learns about his true identity, but refuses to be a part of his father's life, whereas
Julie Mayer, Susan's daughter portrayed by
Andrea Bowen, deals with her parents' unexpected reconciliation.
James Denton portrayed
Mike Delfino, who has to deal with both his break-up with Susan Mayer, and his recently discovered biological son. Previously a recurring character throughout the last episodes of the previous season,
Betty Applewhite, portrayed by
Alfre Woodard, was conceived as a new resident of Wisteria Lane, whose mysterious arc is the season's main storyline. Also promoted from guest stars to series regulars were
Doug Savant and
Richard Burgi, who portrayed
Tom Scavo and
Karl Mayer, respectively. Receiving "also starring" billing were
Shawn Pyfrom, portraying Bree's homosexual son
Andrew Van de Kamp,
Joy Lauren in the role of
Danielle Van de Kamp, Bree's irresponsible and rebel daughter,
Mehcad Brooks, portraying
Matthew Applewhite, Betty's son who begins a relationship with Danielle, and
Brent Kinsman,
Shane Kinsman and
Zane Huett, playing
Preston Scavo,
Porter Scavo and
Parker Scavo, Lynette's troublesome children. Also receiving an "also starring" billing was
Roger Bart, who portrayed
George Williams for nine episodes until his character's suicide.
Page Kennedy originated the role of
Caleb Applewhite, Betty's troubled son, until his replacement with
NaShawn Kearse. Numerous characters have been given expansive arcs in the progressive story line of the season.
Kathryn Joosten portrayed
Karen McCluskey, one of the most prominent residents of Wisteria Lane who mainly develops in Lynette's story line, whereas
Pat Crawford Brown appeared as elderly neighbor
Ida Greenberg. Part of Susan's storyline were
Lesley Ann Warren returning as
Sophie Bremmer, Susan's dramatic mother,
Jay Harrington portraying Ron McCready, a doctor and Susan's boyfriend in the second half of the season,
Paul Dooley appearing as Addison Prudy, Susan's real father, and
Joyce Van Patten playing Carol Prudy, Addison's wife. Part of Lynette's storyline were
Currie Graham and
Joely Fisher in the roles of
Ed Ferrara and
Nina Fletcher, who are introduced as Lynette's superiors at the advertising firm she has started working for, and
Kiersten Warren appearing as
Nora Huntington in the season finale, before her character began being developed for a season three arc. Part of Bree's storyline were
Shirley Knight playing
Phyllis Van de Kamp, Rex's mother,
Dakin Matthews in the role of
Reverend Sykes, reverend at the local Presbyterian church,
Sam Lloyd portraying
Albert Goldfine, Bree's therapist,
Ryan Carnes appearing as
Justin, Andrew's lover,
Bruce Jarchow playing Sam Bormanis, Andrew's lawyer whom he gets to emancipate him,
Lee Tergesen in the role of Peter McMillan, Bree's AA sponsor, and former series regular
Steven Culp returning in the season finale as
Rex Van de Kamp, Bree's now deceased husband. Part of Gabrielle's storyline were
Jesse Metcalfe appearing in a guest star capacity as
John Rowland, Gabrielle's former gardener with whom she had an affair,
Adrian Pasdar portraying David Bradley, a sleazy lawyer that Gabrielle hires to get Carlos out of jail,
Jeff Doucette in the role of
Father Crowley, priest at the local Catholic church,
Melinda Page Hamilton portraying Sister Mary Bernard, a nun trying to pursue Carlos,
Nichole Hiltz and
Eddie McClintock respectively playing Libby Collins and Frank Helm, parents of Gabrielle's temporary foster baby,
John Kapelos acting as Eugene Beale, owner of an adoption agency, and
Gwendoline Yeo appearing as
Xiao-Mei, a Chinese woman that is impregnated with Gabrielle's child and begins an affair with Carlos. Part of Mary Alice's storyline were
Harriet Sansom Harris returning as
Felicia Tilman, who is planning to avenge the death of her sister Martha Huber, and
Bob Gunton portraying
Noah Taylor, Zach's biological grandfather.
Orson Hodge, portrayed by future series regular
Kyle MacLachlan, is introduced close to the end of the season, but is initially conceived as a love interest for Susan, before being rewritten as part of Bree's story line. ==Reception==