Nicollette Sheridan gets new trial over 'Desperate Housewives' firing

LOS ANGELES, Jan. 29 (UPI) -- Nicolette Sheridan is getting another chance to make a case against the studio that allegedly fired her for complaining about working conditions.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Michael Stern has ordered a new trial for Sheridan in her case against ABC, Touchstone TV and Desperate Housewives creator Marc Cherry.

The actress first sued in 2010, claiming that she'd been wrongfully fired in 2009 when she complained that Cherry hit her in the head during a 2008 argument.

A judge declared a mistrial in March 2012 when a jury couldn't reach a verdict. They had deadlocked 8 to 4 in Sheridan's favor.

In August 2012, an appeals court ruled that Sheridan hadn't been fired. Instead, Touchstone and ABC had decided not to renew her contract.

Stern denied Sheridan's request for a new trial against Touchstone earlier this month, but appears to have changed his mind for reasons that aren't yet clear. Touchstone plans to appeal the decision.

[The Hollywood Reporter, TV Guide]