(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Felicity Huffman says Vanessa Williams has rejuvenated Desperate Housewives.

The 47-year-old actress is best known for her role as Wilhelmina Slater in the now defunct US television series Ugly Betty, and fans were thrilled when it was announced she would be joining comedy drama Desperate Housewives for its seventh season.

Vanessa plays Rene Perry, an old college friend and former rival of Lynette Scavo, who is portrayed by Felicity Huffman.

Felicity has revealed the cast which also boasts Eva Longoria Parker, Teri Hatcher and Marcia Cross were thrilled when they discovered Vanessa would be joining the show and did their best to help her settle in.

Guest-starring is one of the hardest things to do because you are just a fish out of water and you are trying to fit in. So when someone new is coming on we are actually excited and looking forward to it and its rejuvenating, Felicity said in an interview with British television show Lorraine. I mean, this is our seventh year and our scripts are better than ever and our ratings are better than ever - which is great.

I think that has to do with Vanessa and her energy and we were happy to have her here.

Vanessa is enjoying her time on the Desperate Housewives set and has formed a close bond with the cast members. The star revealed everyone has been friendly to her since she joined the show and made her feel she belonged there.

I have to tell you that everyone has been so nice, so welcoming, Vanessa beamed. All my friends ask me, Whats it like? How are they treating you? I just feel fantastic here. (C) Cover Media