group's hangout. Sandy was written out of the series after 13 episodes, after being discovered by a talent agent for a soap opera, with the producers admitting later that they "never knew what they wanted to do with the character". She was replaced by photographer Jo Reynolds (Daphne Zuniga), who arrives from New York to escape her alcoholic ex-husband. Jo and Jake become friends and enjoy an on-again, off-again romance. Faced with mediocre ratings, its producers attempted to revamp the series. Heather Locklear was introduced as Amanda Woodward, the art director at D & D Advertising, and Alison's confidante. Intended as a guest star for a four episode story arc, Locklear remained on the series throughout its run. Amanda became vice-president, having affairs with several Melrose Place residents and vying with Alison for Billy's affections. The series evolved from an episodic format to a soap opera with ongoing, interwoven stories, beginning with Michael Mancini's affair with co-worker Kimberly Shaw (Marcia Cross) and Alison's affair with a married man who begins stalking her in the season finale after she ends the relationship. The season ends with Alison and Billy becoming a couple, Michael and Jane splitting up when Jane discovers his affair with Kimberly, and Amanda's miscarriage of Billy's baby and her purchase of the building. At the end of the season, Vanessa Williams was fired, citing the show's changes, "They didn’t invite me back for the second season. It wasn’t anything about my work, but they decided to go a different route". Her character Rhonda left the apartment complex after becoming engaged to wealthy restaurateur Terrence Haggard (John Marshall Jones). Cast Main cast members In alphabetical order Josie Bissett as Jane Mancini Thomas Calabro as Michael Mancini Amy Locane as Sandy Harling (episodes 1–13) Doug Savant as Matt Fielding Grant Show as Jake Hanson Andrew Shue as Billy Campbell Courtney Thorne-Smith as Alison Parker Vanessa Williams as Rhonda Blair Daphne Zuniga as Jo Reynolds (episodes 15+) Recurring guest stars Jennie Garth as Kelly Taylor Ian Ziering as Steve Sanders Brian Austin Green as David Silver Deborah Adair as Lucy Cabot Salome Jens as Joan Campbell Marcia Cross as Dr. Kimberly Shaw Carmen Argenziano as Dr. Stanley Levin William R. Moses as Keith Gray Rae Dawn Chong as Carrie Fellows James Handy as Matt Fielding Sr. Claudette Nevins as Constance Fielding Sydney Walsh as Kay Beacon John Marshall Jones as Terrence