She plays the fussy Bree Van De Kamp on one of the world's biggest shows. But the truth is 46-year-old Marcia Cross, who has two daughters with husband Tom Mahoney, is nothing like
her Desperate Housewives character.

How do you like your TV home?

It really needs redecoration. I just had a conversation with the production people. I think we really need to add some more personal details to it. It's so drab.

What's your own home in LA like?

It's very messy! I leave a trail behind wherever I go. It may get worse, the more I play this tidy woman. I come home and just want to mess up everything. I go through phases. When I can't stand the mess anymore, I start to clean it up. Well, to be honest, my cleaning lady does that job.

Sounds like the opposite of Bree.

I'm actually the least domestic out of all the women on the show. I don't cook. I either go out for dinner or I order in.
How much of Bree is in you? The outward characteristics aren't me at all. They're manifestations of the character. You always draw upon your own soul. Loving my husband and my children or wanting to keep my family together are all things that are mine. The neatness and domestic skills are all fake. I made fudge once. You could throw it against the wall and it wouldn't break! And once I called Eva [co-star Eva Longoria Parker] and asked: 'How do I use the iron?'

What kind of reactions do you get about your character?

I'm always surprised by how much people like Bree because I don't think she's a very accessible character. She's tough and unconscious about a lot of her actions. It's shocking that people love Bree.

Did you always want to play Bree?

No, originally I wanted to be Mary Alice [the unseen narrator]. That way I wouldn't have to wear make-up and could just come to the voice-overs. Then they made me read Bree and I had fun with it.

What don't you like about Bree?

I think as an actor that's dangerous. I might not agree with some of her values but I'm very protective about her.

Why is the series so successful?

First of all, the writing is so good. It's a great combination of humour, drama, mystery, secrecy and lust. It's a blast to watch.

Do you socialise with any of the other women on the show?

Since we see each other more than anybody else in our lives, I usually see friends who I haven't seen in a long time on days off.

What do you do in your spare time?

I go to the gym. It's part of the maintenance when you're on TV. I do yoga, weights and aerobics. I even do yoga between takes.

How do you care for your skin?

It's all about hats and sunscreen. The best advice is to stay out of the sun. My favourite beauty product is Tom [Marcia's husband]. Beauty comes from being happy and connected to people we love. His love makes me feel beautiful.

Do you have a special diet?

I always talk about the food I want to eat and then don't eat it. I'm not like Eva. She can eat anything she wants. It's unbelievable what this girl eats without gaining a pound. Not to eat is a constant struggle. It's like they pay me not to eat. When you're at home, you have your fat pants that you wear
when you feel a little chubby. Here you don't have that. I always have the same size pants and I need to starve in order to fit them.

Where did you grow up?

I grew up in a small town in Massachusetts like Wisteria Lane. All the neighbours still live there. They've been friends for 40 years. We had parties and built go-carts. It was fantastic.

Is your schedule busy?

I'm usually on set between four and five days a week. Sometimes I come in at 5.30am and stay until eight at night.

How do you stay balanced?

Did I say I was balanced? It's hard because you can never make a plan. To relax, I love to be out in the woods and hike. I also watch documentaries.

What would you do if you weren't an actress?

I got my Masters in Psychology and worked at a marriage and family therapy counselling centre for a year. If the acting doesn't work out, I'd go back and do that.

Do your co-stars ask for advice?

Those girls are all pretty savvy, but we do help each other out.

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