5 Major Career Moves: Felicity Huffman's New Life And TV Comeback In 2025

After years of public scrutiny and a quiet return to acting, Felicity Huffman is officially back on television with a series of high-profile roles announced in late 2024 and 2025. The Emmy-winning actress, best known for her iconic role as Lynette Scavo on *Desperate Housewives*, is pivoting her career with a focus on new, complex characters, signaling a determined effort to move past the 2019 'Varsity Blues' college admissions scandal. Her upcoming projects, including a major series regular role on a FOX medical drama, demonstrate a clear and powerful commitment to her craft as she re-engages with the industry. This article, updated for December 2025, provides a deep dive into Felicity Huffman's current professional life, her most candid remarks on the past, and a complete look at her biography and latest projects. The 62-year-old actress is not just making a comeback; she is actively reshaping her legacy through new, compelling work.

Felicity Huffman: Complete Biography and Profile

Felicity Kendall Huffman is an American actress with a career spanning over four decades in film, television, and theatre. Her work has earned her widespread critical acclaim, including nominations for an Academy Award and a Golden Globe.

• Full Name: Felicity Kendall Huffman
• Date of Birth: December 9, 1962
• Place of Birth: Bedford, New York, U.S.
• Age: 63 (as of December 2025)
• Spouse: William H. Macy (m. 1997)
• Children: Two daughters, Sophia Grace Macy and Georgia Grace Macy
• Education: New York University's Tisch School of the Arts (B.F.A. in Drama)
• Major Breakthrough Role: Lynette Scavo on the ABC series *Desperate Housewives* (2004–2012)
• Key Film Role: Bree Osbourne in *Transamerica* (2005)
• Major Awards Won:
  • Primetime Emmy Award (Outstanding Lead Actress in a Comedy Series, *Desperate Housewives*)
  • Golden Globe Award (Best Actress – Motion Picture Drama, *Transamerica*)
  • Screen Actors Guild Award (Outstanding Performance by a Female Actor in a Leading Role, *Transamerica*)
• Notable Nominations:
  • Academy Award (Best Actress, *Transamerica*)

The 5 Major Career Shifts and New Roles in 2025

After pleading guilty to conspiracy to commit mail fraud and honest services mail fraud in 2019, Felicity Huffman served 11 days in prison, paid a $30,000 fine, and completed 250 hours of community service with the Los Angeles non-profit A New Way of Life. Her career trajectory has been defined by a slow, deliberate return to the spotlight, culminating in a flurry of significant announcements in 2025.

1. Series Regular Role on FOX's *Doc* Season 2

The most significant news is Huffman’s commitment to a series regular role in the second season of the FOX medical drama, *Doc*. This marks her first series regular role in years and is a powerful statement about her re-entry into mainstream television.

The series, which stars Molly Parker, will see Huffman play a key, complex character named Dr. Joan Ridley. Dr. Ridley is introduced as Dr. Amy Larsen’s medical school professor and an early mentor.

The character is also the new chief of internal medicine at Westside Hospital, setting up a potentially dramatic dynamic with the show’s protagonist. Huffman’s involvement is expected to shake up the second season’s narrative, providing an interesting glimpse into Amy’s past.

2. Joining the *Criminal Minds: Evolution* Universe

In a move that surprised many fans, Huffman is also set to guest star on the popular procedural drama, *Criminal Minds: Evolution*. This role will bring her into a different genre, showcasing her versatility outside of comedy-drama.

The role is a high-profile platform, as the show is a continuation of the long-running *Criminal Minds* franchise. This project, alongside *Doc*, confirms that major studios and networks are ready to embrace her talent once again.

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3. Tackling Complex Social Issues in New Projects

Huffman has been intentional about choosing roles that explore deep, contemporary social themes. She has spoken about an upcoming role where she plays the mother of a trans son, a project that demonstrates her commitment to challenging, character-driven work.

Additionally, she starred in the two-part Lifetime movie, *The Thirteenth Wife: Escaping Polygamy*, where she portrayed a woman leaving a cult. These projects highlight a shift towards roles that require intense dramatic depth and topical relevance, moving away from the more comedic nature of her *Desperate Housewives* persona.

4. Breaking Silence on the 'Varsity Blues' Scandal

In 2024 and 2025, Huffman broke her long silence on the college admissions scandal, offering candid reflections in several interviews. She acknowledged the dark cloud of the scandal, but emphasized her focus on moving forward.

She has expressed deep remorse for her actions, stating that the fallout led to a period where her phone "stopped ringing". Her public comments were measured, focusing on accountability and the path of redemption through her work and community service with organizations like A New Way of Life, founded by activist Susan Burton.

5. Endorsing the *Desperate Housewives* Reboot

While not a direct acting role, Huffman has publicly thrown her support behind a potential *Desperate Housewives* reboot, titled "Wisteria Lane". She stated she is "all for it," signaling a willingness to revisit the role that made her a household name: Lynette Scavo.

The original series, which aired from 2004 to 2012, remains a cultural touchstone. Her endorsement adds significant fuel to the speculation of a revival, which would be a massive event for ABC and fans of the Wisteria Lane residents.

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The Path to Redemption: Huffman's Future in Hollywood

Felicity Huffman’s return to a series regular role on *Doc* is a pivotal moment, six years after the college admissions scandal. The industry’s willingness to cast her in major roles suggests a belief in her talent and a recognition of the time she served and the penance she paid.

Her husband, actor William H. Macy, has remained a steadfast presence throughout the ordeal, and their family life has largely remained private. As Huffman navigates this new chapter, her focus remains on delivering powerful performances and using her platform to highlight compelling stories.

The actress, an Emmy winner and Academy Award nominee, is leveraging her established reputation to secure roles that challenge her and resonate with modern audiences. From the medical intensity of *Doc* to the dramatic weight of her independent film projects, Felicity Huffman is actively writing the next, most crucial chapter of her storied career.