As Michael Tolliver in the first season of Tales of the City, D'Amico was perfectly cast. All the cast members signed contracts that obligated them to return for a second season, if the show was picked up, at the same salary they earned in the first season. D'Amico declined to return solely because he didn't want that role, and that performance, to define his career. Everyone, including author Armistead Maupin, was disappointed.