Nicollette Sheridan has been granted a retrial in her case against Desperate Housewives.

The actress claims she was wrongfully dismissed from the show following arguments with its creator, Marc Cherry, but the first trial ended in a hung jury. The program's makers, ABC Entertainment and Disney, asked the judge to dismiss the case based on evidence that surfaced during trial earlier this year, but a judge has ruled in favor of a retrial.

The new trial is set for September 10, but Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Allen White urged them to end the case privately on Wednesday morning. "I very, very strongly urge you to continue settlement discussions," she said.

Nicollette is seeking $5.7 million in damages and $35,000 in sanctions from ABC Entertainment for her treatment on the series, which saw her character, Edie Britt, killed off in season five by being electrocuted. The jury were deadlocked at eight to four in Nicollette's favour during the first trial, which would appear to put her in a strong position to triumph if the case is retried.