been slain by the hitman she had hired to kill Monique. Like Heather Locklear in Melrose Place, she is credited as "special guest star" in the opening credits, alongside the main cast. Recurring Robert Beltran as Louis Soto: A police lieutenant investigating Teri's murder William Katt as Paul Carson: Carrie's married lover and adopted father of her child Kurt Deutsch as Chris White: Linda's wealthy love interest John Haymes Newton as Mark Warriner: a priest who has fling with Sarah Lonnie Schuyler as Ben Singer: Adam's right-hand man Production and development Models Inc. is the third series in the Beverly Hills, 90210 franchise, and a direct spin-off of Melrose Place. In its second season (1993–94), Melrose Place was one of Fox's highest-rated shows, and had been called "arguably the hottest one-hour drama on television". In December 1993, Fox announced plans for a Melrose Place spin-off called Models Inc., set in a Los Angeles modeling agency. Spelling said, "[Fox] asked if we would do an eight-hour series. And we came up with Models." He initially explained that the series would center on Melrose Place character Jo Reynolds (Daphne Zuniga), and that two models would move into the titular apartment complex on Melrose Place before being transplanted into the new series. Entertainment Weekly also reported that the estranged mother of Amanda Woodward (Heather Locklear) would be introduced on Melrose Place to eventually lead Models Inc., and Locklear would not be headlining the new series as previously reported. Darren Star, the creator of both Beverly Hills, 90210 and Melrose Place, was not involved with Models Inc., which was created by Charles Pratt Jr. and Frank South, and executive produced by Aaron Spelling, Pratt, South, and E. Duke Vincent. Star said of the potential series, "It was one spin-off too many for me", though Spelling noted, "No one even thinks of Melrose as a spin-off anymore." Farrah Fawcett was considered for the lead role in Models Inc., which ultimately went to Linda Gray. The rest of the cast were unknowns, and Spelling promised "a great deal of backbiting" on the new series. Gray's Hillary Michaels, Amanda's mother, was introduced in the last few episodes of Melrose Place second season to set up the new series. After five months, producers were not satisfied with Models Inc. Nielsen ratings, and Pratt said, "I'm willing to try anything to keep this show on the air." A new