Let’s rewind to the '80s for a moment, when TV was all about ensemble shows. Think about it: dramas like Hill Street Blues, L.A. Law, and thirtysomething were dominating the airwaves, and sitcoms like Cheers, Wings, The Golden Girls, and, of course, Designing Women were stealing our hearts. Created by the talented Linda Bloodworth-Thomason, Designing Women aired from 1986 to 1993 and brought together a powerhouse cast featuring Dixie Carter, Annie Potts, Jean Smart, Delta Burke, and Meshach Taylor. This show wasn’t just entertainment—it was a cultural phenomenon.

How It All Started

In a candid interview with macleans.ca, Linda Bloodworth-Thomason shared the backstory of how Designing Women came to be. CBS had approached her to create a series, and she initially thought about doing a pilot centered around a man. But then, something clicked. “I was driving one day, and I just said to myself, ‘I can’t write this.’ So they asked me, ‘What do you want to write?’ And I said, ‘I want to write about Southern women—but not the usual ones we see on TV.’”

Linda had a vision. She wanted to create beautiful, sexy feminists who loved men but weren’t afraid to stand up for themselves. “Feminism had been so vilified back then. If you were a feminist, you were labeled as a man-hater. I wanted to flip that script. I wanted to show that you could be a feminist and still be desirable, still be sexy, and still love men.”

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Her goal? To showcase what she called “smart hicks.” “I felt like American television had only shown us Jed Clampett and The Dukes of Hazzard. That wasn’t the South I knew, and it certainly wasn’t the South my family came from. I wanted to show another side of the South—one that was intelligent, witty, and full of character. And I think these women did that pretty well.”

The Characters: Who Were They?

Let’s break it down. The women of Designing Women were partners in Sugarbaker & Associates, an interior design firm based in Atlanta. Dixie Carter played Julia Sugarbaker, the president of the company and the voice of reason. Annie Potts portrayed Mary Jo Shively, the head designer and the heart of the group. Jean Smart played Charlene Frazier-Stillfield, the no-nonsense office manager. And then there was Delta Burke as Suzanne Sugarbaker, Julia’s sister and a former beauty queen who, despite being labeled a “silent partner,” definitely had plenty to say.

And let’s not forget Meshach Taylor as Anthony Bouvier, an ex-con who was hired as the company’s delivery man. He started off as a recurring character but eventually became a full partner in the business. Anthony brought a unique perspective to the group, and his journey from outsider to integral member of the team was one of the show’s most compelling storylines.

designing-women-cast — Julie Markes/AP/Shutterstock

Legacy and Revival

It’s been 27 years since Designing Women wrapped production, but its legacy lives on. The show remains a beloved classic, and fans are thrilled to hear that it’s currently being adapted into a stage play. According to Entertainment Weekly, Linda Bloodworth-Thomason is excited about the project. “What I really wanted to do was take those women as we last saw them and set them down right now. They’ll have the same history, the same personalities, the same philosophies, but they’ll be talking about modern issues like #MeToo, the Kardashians, and Donald Trump.”

It’s a chance to revisit these iconic characters and see how they’ve evolved with the times. And let’s be honest, who wouldn’t want to see Julia and Suzanne tackle today’s headlines? This revival promises to be just as witty, smart, and engaging as the original series.

Where Are They Now?

While we wait for the stage play to come to life, let’s take a moment to look back at what Dixie, Annie, Jean, Delta, and Meshach were up to before and after the series. These actors not only brought their characters to life but also left a lasting impact on television history. Scroll down for more stories, interviews, and updates on your favorite Designing Women cast members.