Jesse Metcalfe has reflected on his landmark role as gardener John Rowland on the iconic US drama Desperate Housewives and says he was left feeling like a piece of meat thanks to the hit series.
The 43-year-old found fame worldwide through the series which saw him having an affair with a character named Gabrielle Solis – played by 46-year-old Eva Longoria.
The actor portrayed the character in the first four seasons of the show and returned as a guest in the sixth – while his career has somewhat floundered in the years since Desperate Housewives ended in 2012.
But filming scenes without a top on for practically every episode of the soapy American drama left Jesse feeling objectified and under pressure.
Speaking to i-D Magazine, the star said: “Being a sex symbol is very much about the roles that you play and my roles put me up on a pedestal.
“But my appearance was also criticized and picked apart by a lot of people in the media. Having your shirt off in every episode of Housewives brought a lot of pressure.”
The actor went on to hint actors fear being caught on the beach between projects when they might be finally letting their hair down.
He said: “You have to stay in the best shape you can and then between projects, everyone expects you to stay in that shape 24/7, 365.
“That’s not realistic. That’s why paparazzi catch actors between projects looking ‘out of shape’ — they’re taking time off and that includes the gym.”
Jesse went on to explain that he feels like he has been typecast after playing a hunky gardener on the show – which was watched by over 30 million viewers a week in the USA alone.
He said: “The industry tends to think if you look a certain way that’s all you have to offer.
“The best thing I could’ve done at that time was be patient, which I was not.
“I did a string of indie films that didn’t work and should’ve kept my nose clean, so to speak. Between jobs, I just didn’t know what to do with myself.”
Away from Fairview's Wisteria Lane, Jesse has appeared in a string of action and horror films – and went on to play Christopher Ewing in a rebooted version of the TV series Dallas from 2012-2014.
Last year, he regenerated interest by appearing on Dancing With The Stars – America’s equivalent of Strictly Come Dancing.
Featuring in the same series as Tiger King’s Carole Baskin and Selling Sunset’s Chrishell Stause, Jesse – who was partnered with dance professional Sharna Burgess – was eliminated from the series in week four of the competition.
Discussing his defeat at the time, the actor told US outlets: "I knew dance was going to be difficult for me with [having] zero dance experience and the state of my body at 41 years of age. I knew there would be challenges, but I’m glad I made it as far as I did.”
