Katherine Mayfair

Katherine Mayfair (formerly Davis) is a fictional character created by television producer and screenwriter Marc Cherry for the ABC television series Desperate Housewives. The character was portrayed by actress Dana Delany and first appeared in the series' fourth season premiere on September 30, 2007 as the focus of the yearly mystery.

Katherine is generally characterized by her cold demeanor and impressive domestic skills. Though initially a homemaker, Katherine started a catering business with neighbor Bree Hodge (Marcia Cross), with whom she shares "a heated rivalry." She has been married twice, to Wayne Davis (Gary Cole) and Adam Mayfair (Nathan Fillion), but both relationships ended in divorce. Katherine has had two children: Dylan Davis (Hailee Denham), her daughter who died as a young child, and Dylan Mayfair (Lyndsy Fonseca), her adoptive daughter. Delany left the series during the sixth season, and the character has relocated to Paris indefinitely.

Delany's portrayal of the character has received critical praise. Many critics attributed the improved quality of season four to Delany's performance. Delany was a critics' favourite for an Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2008. The character received further media attention when she was involved in the series' first lesbian relationship. She returned during the series finale in 2012.