LOS ANGELES  — A judge has ordered the jury considering whether Nicollette Sheridan was wrongfully fired from TV's "Desperate Housewives" to keep deliberating even though jurors say they are hopelessly deadlocked.

Los Angeles Superior Court Judge Elizabeth Allen White sent jurors home Friday after they reported the impasse.

The group is considering whether Sheridan was wrongfully terminated after complaining that she was struck on the set by series creator Marc Cherry.

The group says it is split eight to four but didn't indicate which side the majority favored. Nine jurors have to agree on a verdict.

The panel says the split hasn't changed since deliberations began Wednesday afternoon.

Cherry and ABC have denied wrongdoing, and say the decision to cut Sheridan's role was made four months before the on-set dispute.