'Housewives' season four spoiler roundup

After the dramatic (and rather shocking) ending of season three, the fourth series of Desperate Housewives picks up about a month later.

Plenty of spoilers are being bandied around the internet and so I thought I'd give a definitive run-down for you all to see and afterwards say 'I knew I shouldn't have read that but I just couldn't help myself'.

BE WARNED: The following contains detailed spoilers...

- Nicollette Sheridan is still very much a season regular.

- There's a new housewife on the block in series for and her name is Katherine, Bree's long-lost sister/friend. Apparently they were such close friends, they acted like they were sisters.

- Katherine is to be played by Kidnapped star Dana Delany. Her character has been described as a "conservative Republican with an all-American wholesomeness and a mastery of passive aggressiveness".

- Katherine will be joined by husband Adam - reportedly played by Nathan Fillion.

- Lyndsy Fonseca will apparently play their daughter, Dylan. (Adam isn't her biological father)

- Not much is known about the new family, except Katherine moved away from Wisteria Lane 12 years ago. I think it's safe to say that the question 'Why did she move away?' will be at least one of the mysteries of the new season.

- Julie Mayer remembers her and Dylan playing together when they were younger but Dylan remembers nothing...

- Mike Delfino's brother, Terry, will be a recurring character throughout season four. He was supposed to turn up in the season three finale - presumably for Mike and Susan's wedding - but plans for his character were scrapped at the last minute.

- Susan visits a gynecologist in the first few episodes of season four. Apparently she's pregnant (although it's an unconfirmed rumour) and as her regular doctor isn't around, she's surprised to see his replacement - Adam, Katherine's husband.

- Gabrielle's new husband, Victor Laing (John Slattery), will be around for at least the first half of the season - maybe even longer.

- Lynette's ongoing battle with Kayla continues, while Lynette's mother, Stella Wingfield (Polly Bergen), will be a recurring character.

- Rumours are rife that someone will die this season.

- Reports suggest that there's a musical episode is on the cards.

- This woman may be playing a nurse. Oooooh I hear you cry. I did, too.

- And finally, a 'I-don't-think-that-it's-true-because-someone-flagged-it-up-to-me-
as-being-on-Wikipedia' spoiler: former Emmerdale actress Claire King is to play Edie Britt's sister, Helen.