Jesse Metcalfe's Post-DWTS Life: 5 Shocking Revelations On His Career, 'Difficult' Partner Drama, And 2025 Comeback

Jesse Metcalfe’s time on *Dancing with the Stars* Season 29 was a brief but memorable chapter, ending in a surprising elimination that left fans and judges divided. As of December 2025, the actor has moved far beyond the ballroom, leveraging the renewed spotlight into a significant career resurgence that includes major network guest roles and a slate of upcoming feature films. His time on the show, however, continues to generate buzz, particularly regarding the 'undeniable' chemistry—and later, the public tension—with his professional partner, Sharna Burgess. The *Desperate Housewives* alum has been refreshingly candid in recent interviews, reflecting on the intense experience, the subsequent personal growth, and his emergence from what he described as a "3-Year Midlife Crisis" that coincided with his time in the spotlight. This deep dive uncovers the latest on his life, his new relationship, and the exciting projects that are defining his comeback in 2025.

Jesse Metcalfe: The Actor's Complete Biography and Profile

Jesse Eden Metcalfe is an American actor, producer, and musician whose career spans two decades, from daytime soap operas to major television dramas and Hallmark Channel movies.

• Full Name: Jesse Eden Metcalfe
• Date of Birth: December 9, 1978
• Age (as of Dec 2025): 47
• Place of Birth: Carmel Valley Village, California, U.S.
• Education: New York University (NYU) Tisch School of the Arts (studied film and acting)
• Notable Roles: John Rowland (*Desperate Housewives*), Miguel Lopez-Fitzgerald (*Passions*), Christopher Ewing (*Dallas*), Trace Riley (*Chesapeake Shores*).
• DWTS Season: Season 29 (2020)
• DWTS Partner: Sharna Burgess
• DWTS Placement: 12th place (Eliminated Week 5)
• Current Relationship Status (2025): Dating model Helen Immel (since late 2024)

The Truth Behind the 'Difficult' Partnership and DWTS Elimination

Jesse Metcalfe and his professional partner, Sharna Burgess, were eliminated on '80s Night during Week 5 of *Dancing with the Stars* Season 29. The pair, affectionately known as #TeamAllIn, performed a Tango to "Everybody Wants to Rule the World" by Tears for Fears, earning a score of 19 out of 30. Despite showing flashes of potential—including a solid Foxtrot and an energetic Cha-Cha—they consistently landed in the middle of the leaderboard. Their average score for the season was 19.6.

The Unspoken Tension with Sharna Burgess

While on the show, the pair’s chemistry was a hot topic, often described as "undeniable" by fans and media. However, years later, the narrative took a turn. In a 2024 interview, Sharna Burgess reflected on their partnership, candidly describing Metcalfe as a "really difficult" partner. This revelation brought the Season 29 run back into the spotlight. A representative for Metcalfe responded to the claims, acknowledging that the actor was going through a challenging personal time during the show. Metcalfe himself later admitted in recent interviews to emerging from a "3-Year Midlife Crisis" around that period, suggesting the internal struggle may have impacted his professional demeanor and performance in the demanding environment of the ballroom. The pressure of mastering dances like the Samba and Viennese Waltz while dealing with personal issues can be immense, a reality that often goes unseen by viewers watching the ABC competition.

Jesse Metcalfe’s Major 2025 Career Comeback and New Life

The period following *Dancing with the Stars* has seen Metcalfe focus intensely on his acting career and personal life, leading to a significant flurry of activity in 2024 and 2025. This career pivot has allowed him to move beyond his heartthrob image from *Desperate Housewives* and secure more varied, high-profile roles.

A Return to Network Television and New Film Slate

Jesse Metcalfe is making a high-profile return to network drama with a guest-starring role on *Law & Order* Season 24, a major booking announced in early 2025. This role is a clear sign of his renewed focus and versatility as an actor. Furthermore, his upcoming film slate is packed, demonstrating a commitment to producing and starring in new projects:

• *Clear Cut* (2024): A recently completed film project.
• *The Comic Shop* (2025): A film project slated for release, showcasing his continued work in the movie space.
• *The Fortress* (TBA): An action-thriller franchise that has seen him work alongside major stars like Bruce Willis.
• *The Latin From Manhattan* (TBA): Another highly anticipated project currently in development.

In addition to his film work, Metcalfe is also starring in a Lifetime TV movie series based on the best-selling, gothic novels of V.C. Andrews, an entirely new venture that taps into a different audience than his previous work on the Hallmark Channel series *Chesapeake Shores*. This diverse project portfolio shows an actor actively seeking to expand his topical authority across multiple genres and platforms.

Life After the Ballroom: New Romance and Personal Growth

On the personal front, Metcalfe has embraced a new chapter. After his high-profile engagement to Cara Santana ended in 2020, the actor began dating model Helen Immel. The couple "hard-launched" their relationship in December 2024, and have since been seen together at major public events, including Coachella 2025, where he showed off his famously buff physique. Metcalfe has expressed a new outlook on life, prioritizing personal peace and happiness over the pressures of Hollywood. His reflection on his midlife crisis and subsequent reprioritization of his life offers a fascinating glimpse into the mindset of a celebrity who is now thriving in his late 40s. The renewed energy and focus are clearly translating into a vibrant and active professional life, proving that the challenges faced on the *Dancing with the Stars* floor were merely a stepping stone to a more fulfilling career path.