The question of whether Jackson will be gracing Wisteria Lane again has finally been answered.  Desperate Housewives has finally set the return date for Gale Harold, who has now fully recovered after being seriously injured in a motorcycle accident six months ago.

"Quite frankly, I think he looks even better [than before the crash]," series creator Marc Cherry said, adding that Jackson reappears with a "very important question for Susan -- one that she's kind of stunned by."

Harold was seriously injured in a motorcycle accident on October 14, 2008 and was immediately brought to the USC Medical Center in their Intensive Care Unit.  At the time of his accident, ABC issued a statement to show their support and sympathy to the Desperate Housewives actor who was treated for swelling of the brain and a fractured shoulder.

“Gale is part of the Desperate Housewives family and our thoughts and wishes are with him for a speedy recovery.”

While the cast and crew of Desperate Housewives have always been optimistic about Harold’s recovery, there hasn’t been a solid confirmation regarding his comeback on the show up until now. There were even rumors that he might not be able to reprise his role as Susan’s love interest as he is still in tremendous pain.

Due to Harold’s accident, Cherry was forced to alter some storylines on the dramedy, with Susan revealing that Jackson left town abruptly to pursue a teaching opportunity.  On the other hand, the writers believe that it all worked out in the end.

"We were planning to end his storyline [around midseason]," he explained.  "But because of the accident, we get to bring him back for the end of the season, which will be a nice kind of full circle journey for Susan in season 5."

As for the sixth season, Cherry reveals that no decision has been made about Harold’s appearance next fall.  However, it’s also likely that Harold, who is also credited for his roles on Vanished, Queer as Folk, Deadwood, The Unit, and Grey's Anatomy, may be keen on lingering on the show long-term.

"I think Gale may have changed his priorities [since the accident]," Cherry said. "But those decisions won't be made until May."



-Kris De Leon, BuddyTV Staff Columnist
Source: EW
(Image courtesy of ABC)