Former Desperate Housewives star Nicollette Sheridan says that killing off her character, the vampy Edie Britt, could have “devastating ramifications” on the award-winning ABC dramedy.

“I think whoever Edie represented in Marc’s [show creator Marc Cherry] life was somebody he didn’t like. And he had a very difficult time distinguishing between fact and fiction,” the star says in a new interview with TV Guide.

“[Killing off Edie] was a risky decision that could have devastating ramifications.”

Nicollette says her run on D.H. started out exciting, but the fun began to fizzle out several seasons ago: “When the show started it was such a different beast. It was exciting and dangerous and funny and edgy and bizarre. It started feeling a little complacent, and that was very frustrating.”

“I said, ‘OK, sayonara. It’s been a great ride. Thank you,” say of her final hurrah on Desperate.

Series creator Marc Cherry says Nicollette’s exit is simply a money matter. Marc claims Desperate Housewives has been having financial troubles and cutting Nicollette from the cast will save the show $100-$200,000 an episode.

“There has been tremendous pressure put on me to cut costs…the network is saying to all the shows, ‘The company is really hurting financially. You must find a way to produce these shows more cheaply,’” he tells TV Guide.

“Edie already slept with most of the guys on the street and has caused about as many problems as she could. … We will find a new kind of sexiness coming through Wisteria Lane,” he added. “What I won’t do is cast another fortysomething sexy blonde. … [Nicollette] performed the aging neighborhood tramp better than anyone has ever done before.”