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September 1986  -  May 1993

Summary "This Suzanne, this Julia, this Mary Jo, and Charlene..." Designing Women tells the story of four Southern gals working in Atlanta's top design firm, their ups, their downs, and everything in between.  Anthony is their wise-cracking delivery man and confidant. Through despairs, good times, and even Graceland... These ladies stick together! Welcome to Sugarbakers!

Julia Sugarbaker (Dixie Carter) Known for her sassy personality, confidence, and thought-provoking tirades... she is a true 'Steel Magnolia' ! She serves as the head of Sugarbaker's design firm. Although she always tries to maintain some level of grace and respect, her situations vary from running for commisioner to getting her head stuck in the staircase at the Governor's Mansion! Suzanne Sugarbaker (Delta Burke) From semi-automatic weapons to pet pigs named Noel. Suzanne, Julia's younger sister, is Sugarbaker's front person. She is an ex- Miss Georgia and darn proud of it too! Unlike her older sister, Suzanne fully relies on her beauty to get her ahead in life, and is often dismissed as shallow, although she displays affection during the course of Designing Women. Charlene Frazier-Stillfield (Jean Smart) A heart of gold, WWII fantasies, and a true Elvis and Jerry Lee Lewis fan! Charlene is the firm's office manager. This country girl has always maintained very close to her family (Charlene is the oldest of the -lene sisters!) back in Poplar Bluff. She is mostly remembered for her naive and trusting nature... and for her outrageous supermarket tabloid stories. She later married Colonel William 'Bill' Stillfield and had a daughter, Olivia.

Fan's Review In my opinion, Designing Women has been one of the best sitcoms ever made. It combined a perfect mixture of comedy with strong issues and problems we face in our society. I think every character was special in their own way, and the gals were all lovable. Although I am enjoying all their present day work, I would love to see a reunion of this wonderful team. Rating: A+

"...if sex were fast food, there'd be an arch over your bed!" - Dixie Carter as Julia Sugarbaker, after finding out that Suzanne is dating Mary Jo's ex-husband; Designing Women

"We're having so much fun! We followed this jazz band down the street to this big ol' party. We partied two hours until I realized it was somebody's funeral." - Jean Smart as Charlene Frazier, during a vacation at New Orleans; Designing Women

Fun Facts - The man who played J.D. Shackleford (Richard Gilliland), Mary Jo's boyfriend met Jean on the set of DW and the two are now happily married. - Delta Burke also met hubby Gerald McRaney on the DW set. - Hal Holbrook and Dixie Carter met during the movie "The Killing of Randi Webster," got married, and then were asked to work together again in Designing Women. Ironically Mr. Holbrook played Ms. Carter's boyfriend in the sitcom. - Jean Smart was the only cast member not originally from the South. - In the sitcom, Jean Smart's pregnancy was scheduled the same as her character's, Charlene.

Mary Jo (Annie Potts) Mary Jo is known for her bubbling energy and spunky personality. She and her ex-husband, Ted Shively, used to live next door to Charlene. She and Charlene became best of friends. At the beginning of the series, Mary Jo was a bit timid and to herself, but after dealing with kids, dating, the business, and hanging around Julia for awhile, Mary Jo becomes sharp tongued and just as confident! From trying out different bra sizes out for a possible breast augmentation to searching a salad bar for a lost strand of pearls, Mary Jo is certainly on of a kind. Recurring Characters Alice Ghostley as Bernice Clifton Douglas Barr as Colonel Bill Stillfield Hal Holbrook as Reese Watson Richard Gilliland as J.D. Shackleford Gerald McRaney as Dash Goff Scott Bakula as Ted Shively To find out the rest of the guest and recurring stars click here.

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