The fifth season of Desperate Housewives, an American television series created by Marc Cherry, began airing on ABC on September 28, 2008, and concluded on May 17, 2009.

The series received media attention following the announcement that Edie, portrayed by Nicollette Sheridan, would be killed off close to the end of the season.

When asked about Sheridan's departure, Cherry commented "She won't be back for a few years", a reference to the 'five-year leap' that the show is undertaking.

[1][7] There had also been speculation whether the character of Mike Delfino would return, after the final scene in season four, set five years into the future, which showed Susan in the arms of a new mystery man, Jackson (Gale Harold).

The series is narrated by Brenda Strong, who portrays the deceased Mary Alice Young, as she observes from beyond the grave the lives of the Wisteria Lane residents and her former best friends.

Nicollette Sheridan portrayed Edie Williams, who returns to Wisteria Lane with a new husband after leaving the neighborhood towards the end of the previous season.

Ricardo Antonio Chavira portrayed Carlos Solis, Gabrielle's husband who is still blind but with a chance to recover his sight and his career as a business executive.

Also joining the principal cast was actor Neal McDonough as Dave Williams, whose mysterious arc is the season's main storyline.

[14] Andrea Bowen departed from the principal cast but was credited as "special guest star" in the episode "City on Fire" playing the role of Julie Mayer, Susan's daughter, who is now attending college.

Part of Gabrielle's storyline were Madison De La Garza and Daniella Baltodano respectively playing Juanita and Celia Solis, stepmother Gaby's troublesome daughters,[20] Jeff Doucette appearing as Father Crowley, priest at the local Catholic church, Frances Conroy portraying Virginia Hildebrand, a rich woman that hires Carlos to become her personal massage therapist, David Starzyk playing Bradley Scott, Carlos's boss after he regains his sight, Ion Overman portraying Maria Scott, Bradley's wife, Megan Hilty acting as Shayla Grove, Bradley's mistress, Lesley Boone in the role of Lucy Blackburn, Carlos's ex-girlfriend from college, and future series regular Maiara Walsh, who appeared as Carlos's niece Ana Solis in the season finale.

For the 100th episode of the series, many former cast members returned, including Steven Culp as Rex Van de Kamp, Bree's deceased first husband, Christine Estabrook as Martha Huber, the woman that blackmailed Mary Alice and was killed by Paul Young, and Lucille Soong as Yao Lin, Gabrielle's former maid.

Beau Bridges made a special guest appearance as Eli Scruggs, Wisteria Lane's handyman who managed to help every one of the housewives in a different way.