Will Edie ever return to 'Desperate Housewives'?

When Edie packed up and left Wisteria Lane at the end of Sundays Desperate Housewives, viewers were caught by surprise.

The sudden exit of the neighborhoods blond troublemaker has fans wondering how this plot twist will affect the ABC hit series, and whether Nicollette Sheridan, who has played Edie during its four seasons, will be back.

Edie, played by Nicollette Sheridan, in the “Desperate Housewives” episode “Mother Said” that aired last night.

For weeks, rumors swirled that Sheridan was out of the show. Both ABC and Sheridans publicist, Nicole Perna, have been tightlipped in response to inquiries about her imminent departure.

But creator and executive producer Marc Cherry was slightly more forthcoming. Yes, Edies gone, he said Friday. Then he added: She wont be back for a few years.

What could that mean? Hadnt Cherry already announced he will bring his series to a close at the end of the 2010-11 season, just three years from now?

We do three more seasons and then its done, he said with a chuckle. I will tear down all the sets personally.

I want to be sure that when we leave the air, people still care.

But right now, what viewers really care about is Edies future if any. Could her return in what Cherry carefully described as a few years have anything to do with another recent rumor that Desperate Housewives will adopt a flash-forward narrative device (akin to the storytelling style on Lost), which could restore Edie to the show as seen a few years hence?

I only address one rumor at a time, Cherry replied.

Edie bolted on Sundays episode when the titular four housewives Susan, Lynette, Bree and Gabrielle faced her down after she had pulled one too many schemes against them.

Were done, Susan (Teri Hatcher) told her. From now on, you are invisible.

And were gonna make sure every woman in a 5-mile radius knows the kind of c you pull, said Gabrielle (Eva Longoria).

Edie tried to apologize.

Did you hear something? Bree (Marcia Cross) said as the women strode away. Neither did I.

A few minutes later, viewers saw Edie toss a suitcase into her sports car and drive away.

A climactic scene, Cherry said.

But as the show nears its two-hour season finale next Sunday, fans are desperate to know: Is Sheridan done? Or is she still part of the show?

Well have to wait until next season and see, Cherry replied.

AP