Retrial set for Sheridan lawsuit

LOS ANGELES, April 18 (UPI) -- A Los Angeles Superior Court judge has scheduled a retrial of actress Nicolette Sheridan's wrongful dismissal lawsuit against ABC.

Sheridan is suing the network for $5.7 million in damages and $35,000 in sanctions. She said she was fired from the TV series "Desperate Housewives" in 2008 because she complained about creator Marc Cherry's allegedly abusive behavior toward her.

The case was previously heard and ended in a mistrial last month because the jury informed the judge presiding over the trial they were "hopelessly deadlocked," 8-4. Nine jurors must agree in a civil verdict.

Cherry, who has been cleared of a battery charge Sheridan made against him, has said Sheridan's character was written out of the show because the actress was frequently late, unprepared and cantankerous, and because Edie's storyline had run its course.

E! said Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Allen White Wednesday set a Sept. 10 start date for the retrial.

"I very, very strongly urge you to continue settlement discussions," White told the attorneys for the two sides.