Eva Longoria

The Desperate Housewives TV alum, 43, heads to the big screen with a fresh gender twist on the 1987 romantic comedy Overboard (May 4). In the new version, she plays Theresa, the best friend of Kate (Anna Faris), a working-class single mom who turns the tables on her playboy boss, Leonardo (Eugenio Derbez). When he gets amnesia, Kate and Theresa devise a plan to get payback.

Why do you think the gender switch is timely, with Faris and Derbez in roles originally played by Kurt Russell and Goldie Hawn?

A single mom raising three kids by working four jobs is a reality in our country. So to root for Anna’s character is easy, because you go, “I know that woman. That’s my neighbor; that’s my co-worker.”

The movie also asks a question: Is love enough?

As a hopeless romantic, I’m a big believer that we can make it on love. But there are other lessons Leonardo learns. He’s a spoiled, entitled, rich brat who now has to work. This movie’s lesson is finding out who you are and how you have to know that before you can truly love another person.

Was Desperate Housewives like graduate film school for you?

One hundred percent. Spending a decade on the show, I paid attention to where the lights go, where the camera goes, new character story arcs, marketing, all of that. It just fascinated me. I’ve always wanted to be behind the camera.

You’re expecting a baby boy in May.

Thank God I have an amazing husband [TV executive José

“Pepe” Bastón], who has raised a son and really is the perfect example of what a man should be in this world today. He’s super supportive, super loving and encouraging. My son’s going to have an amazing role model.