challenge when writing began for the second season. In January 2009, Molly Ringwald announced that she was expecting twins of her own. She told People Magazine that Brenda Hampton was working on writing her character's pregnancy into the storyline of the show. Kenny Baumann, the actor who plays Ben Boykewich, confirmed that someone would die in the second season of Secret Life. The character would be a "significant male character" and the death would be a terrible tragedy. It was later revealed that John Schneider, who portrayed the role as Grace's father, Marshall, left the show due to multiple shows and projects he has. Marshall was written out of the series in "The Big One". New and returning characters Actor Brando Eaton was cast as Ashley's new gay sidekick, Griffin, who has a recurring role in the season. Actress Rumer Willis, appeared in Secret Life as Heather, a pregnant girl in the episode "Knocked Up Who's There?". She interacted with Ben in a way that got Amy jealous. Actor Austin Stowell was cast as Lauren's new boyfriend, Jesse, who has a recurring role in the season. Their relationship sparks the discussion of interracial dating, as Jesse believes that Lauren is not interested in having sex with him because of his race. Reception On Monday, June 22, 2009, Secret Life opened its second season with the largest audience so far, posting a series high in Total Viewers with 4.68 million viewers, and second-best numbers ever in Adults 18-34 with 1.4 million viewers, behind season one's mid-season finale, Adults 18-49 with 2.1 million viewers and Viewers 11-34 with 2.9 million viewers. In June 2009, Secret Life ranked as cable's No. 1 scripted telecast in Females 11-34, and the No. 1 scripted series telecast in Viewers 11-34 and Female Teens. Additionally, Secret Life stood as ad-supported cable's No. 1 telecast this month in Female Teens. Impressively, the season debut became cable's No. 1 scripted series premiere of the 2008/2009 season to date in Women 18-34, Women 18-49'and Viewers 11-34, and the No. 1 scripted original premiere of Summer 2009 so far in Adults 18-34. Secret Life's second season debut now stands as cable's No. 1 scripted original series/season premiere this summer in Adults ages 18–34 and across core female 18-34, 18-49 and 11-34 demos, ahead of such high-profile series as USA's Royal Pains and Burn Notice and TNT's The Closer. Some critics praised