Renee Perry is a fictional character created by television producer and screenwriter Marc Cherry for the ABC television series Desperate Housewives. She is portrayed by Vanessa Williams, and is the second African-American housewife to be a major character. Development and casting The addition of Vanessa Williams to the cast was announced after the close of the series' sixth season, as well as the finale of the ABC series Ugly Betty, in which Williams starred as Wilhelmina Slater. The character, who was originally named Renee Filmore-Jones, was conceived as a trouble-making vixen, similar to the Edie Britt character (Nicollette Sheridan), who appeared on the series until the fifth season. Following the casting announcement, Williams admitted to having been a fan of the series during its first year, but stopped watching because of the racially insensitive second season mystery storyline. It focused on Betty Applewhite (Alfre Woodard), the series' first black main character. Williams explained to Entertainment Weekly, "[Betty] had her son in chains in the basement. It was like, 'Really? Do we have to go there with our first Black character?' I honestly fell off the show after that. I think it was just so implausible and just an image that Black folks don't want to see their child chained and shackled in the basement." Cast member Felicity Huffman commented on Williams' addition to the cast, saying "She's such a great dash of vinegar to Wisteria Lane! It's going brilliantly—she's a wonderful woman, she's really smart, she's really strong, a real team player. She's a great addition." Personality When Renee is introduced, she is portrayed as a spoiled rich woman, appearing vain and insensitive. Renee ruffles the other women's feathers with her passive-aggressive behaviour initially but eventually becomes friends with her neighbours. Renee is Lynette Scavo's old college friend and sorority sister, and when she arrived in Fairview, she and Lynette become close friends again. It is later revealed that Renee slept with Tom Scavo 20 years ago but Lynette forgives Renee and their friendship remains strong. Storylines Backstory Renee was born in 1962. Since childhood, she has had fear of dwarfs because of an unspecified incident. She also has a sister. Their mother tried to commit suicide twice. Renee saved her once when her mother overdosed on pills, but in her second (successful) attempt Renee's mother used a gun. She left her a note which said "I am sorry". Since