Katherine Mayfair

Katherine Irma Mayfair is a fictional character created by Marc Cherry for the ABC television series Desperate Housewives. The character was portrayed by 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 Van de Kamp, with whom she shares "a heated rivalry." She has been married twice, to Wayne Davis and Adam Mayfair, but both relationships ended in divorce. Katherine has had two children; Dylan Davis, her daughter who died as a young child, and Dylan Mayfair, her adoptive daughter. The character was later paired with Mike Delfino in the fifth season, which later ended when he returned to and remarried Susan Mayer, leading to Katherine's nervous breakdown in the sixth season.

Later that season saw Katherine written into the series' first lesbian relationship with Robin Gallagher. Delany left the series soon thereafter, when the character relocated to Paris indefinitely with Robin. Delany returned for a guest appearance during the series finale of Desperate Housewives in 2012.

Delany's portrayal received praise from critics and audiences, with many critics attributing the improved quality of the series' fourth season to Delany's performance. The actress was a critics' favorite for a Primetime Emmy Award nomination for Outstanding Supporting Actress in a Comedy Series in 2008.