(Cover) - EN Showbiz - Vanessa Williams has enjoyed playing a character who ruffles peoples feathers on Desperate Housewives.

The actress plays Renee Perry in the seventh season of the US television show, which premieres in America on Sunday. Renee comes to Wisteria Lane to visit her old friend Lynette Scavo, portrayed by Felicity Huffman, because she is having marital problems.

Renee immediately causes a stir among some of the other residents of the lane, which Vanessa says was fun to film. So far she is just ruffling feathers with the other gals. It has been great that they have given me opportunities to work with each of the girls one-on-one per episode. I have had scenes with I think I did a couple of episodes with Lynette, a couple of episodes with Bree [Marcia Cross], one episode with Gaby [Eva Longoria Parker]. What am I doing this week? This week has to do with me, Lynette and Susan [Teri Hatcher]. They are spreading me out tastefully, Vanessa explained.

The actress is well-known for her portrayal of catty magazine editor Wilhelmina Slate on Ugly Betty, and admits there are shades of her in Renee. Vanessa thinks her new role will appeal to her fans, and says she loves playing challenging characters.

I think they are playing to that audience that expects something like that, she told ET Online, when asked if Renee is similar to Wilhelmina. Again, I am not on the writing team, but I think they want to make it as interesting and get as much bang for their buck in bringing people who are fans of mine and what I brought for the last four years to the lane. She is certainly not Wilhelmina, but she is no shrinking violet either. (C) Cover Media