Baby Daddy is an American sitcom created by Dan Berendsen that premiered on June 20, 2012. The series follows Ben, a man in his twenties, who gets the surprise of his life when a one-night stand leaves his baby at his doorstep. Ben decides to raise his little girl with the help of his brother, Danny, his two close friends, Riley and Tucker, and his sometimes-overbearing mother, Bonnie.
Ben Wheeler, a twenty-something old bachelor, is suddenly a father when his baby daughter Emma is left at his doorstep. With the help of his overbearing mother Bonnie, his older brother Danny, and his two best friends Tucker and Riley, Ben works to turn his life around in order to provide for his daughter.
Main characters
Benjamin Bon Jovi "Ben" Wheeler (Jean-Luc Bilodeau): The lead character of the series. He is a young man living the life of a bachelor as a bartender in New York City with his buddy Tucker and his older brother Danny. His life is turned upside down when he comes home one day to find a baby girl left on his doorstep by an ex-girlfriend. The baby turns out to be his daughter Emma. He was a bartender at the Bar on B but now Danny and Ben own the bar together. He used to have feelings for Riley after they danced at a wedding. The two dated two times but their relationship always failed because Ben didn't live up to Riley's expectations. Eventually it is revealed how strong Danny's feelings are for Riley. Ben initially denies this until Bonnie intervenes and points out that "Danny has loved Riley nearly his whole life" and tries to get the two together.
Tucker Thurgood Marshall Dobbs (Tahj Mowry): Ben's best friend and roommate. Tucker is friendly towards everybody as long as they don't eat all of his food. Ben encouraged Tucker to drop out of law school to pursue a career that he enjoys since he was only trying to be a lawyer because of his strict father. When his father Marshall Dobbs visits, Tucker finally reveals to his dad that he no longer wants to be a lawyer and is working in television because its something he enjoys doing, to which his father at first is furious, but finally accepts.
Daniel Mellencamp "Danny" Wheeler (Derek Theler): Ben's older brother, who is a professional hockey player. He was traded to the New York Rangers. His little brother looks up to him, because he has everything a man would want. He has been in love with Riley ever since he was six. Danny and Riley eventually end up together and it is revealed in season five that Riley is pregnant after Danny and Riley become very serious. In Season 4, Danny purchased the bar Ben works at.
Bonnie N. Walker (née Prapinski; previously Wheeler) (Melissa Peterman): Ben and Danny's mother. She is a happy, outgoing, loud, and dramatic person who has a kind heart and loves her kids and her granddaughter more than anything. She loves to drink, her favorite wine is chardonnay, and she has blonde hair and blue eyes. Bonnie has had an on and off relationship with Brad Walker (Brad the Pad) since season 3. However, Tucker got licensed and presided over Bonnie's marriage to Brad Walker in the elevator of Tucker's building. Their love has been tested several times and they are proven to be meant to be and love each other very much. Bonnie wanted to be a model but had her kids so now she is a realtor. Brad is also a realtor, and he got her a job with the same company that he is an employee at. Bonnie is hilarious and is the comedy of the bunch along with Tucker who she sometimes gets into hilarious situations with. Bonnie is in love with Bon Jovi, so much so that she named her second son "Benjamin Bon Jovi Wheeler". She describes herself as "a beautiful young woman with goals and ambitions."
Riley Perrin (Chelsea Kane): Ben's close female friend and Danny's best friend since they were little. Riley and Danny are in love now as of season five. They are going to get married because they have a someday which Riley has on a necklace. Riley is pregnant which is revealed on the summer season finale of Baby Daddy season five. It has been said that she was extremely overweight in high school and has since lost 200 pounds. She is highly intelligent. Despite having some difficulty with the LSATs, she did well enough to get accepted into law school. She has liked Ben ever since they were young but only Danny initially knew, despite Danny secretly liking Riley in the first, second and third seasons. In the episode "Send in the Clowns", it is revealed that her mother was actually the woman she thought was her maternal aunt. In the episode "House of Cards," she mentions a sister, presumably her cousin in reality, whom she claims to "hate".
Emma Wheeler (Ali Louise and Susanne Allan Hartman in season 1; Mila and Zoey Beske in season 2; Ember and Harper Husak in season 3; Sura and Kayleigh Harris in season 4–present): Ben's daughter and child, who was left at his doorstep by his ex-girlfriend.
Recurring characters
Brad Walker (Peter Porte): A handsome real estate agent who dated Bonnie in season 3. He has a twin brother named Tad. In the episode "Play It Again, Bonnie", it is revealed he still has feelings for Bonnie (to the point he got engaged to his ex Veronica to make Bonnie jealous). But, later in the episode, he realizes he needs to move on and is not ready for a relationship. On the season 4 episode "Parental Guidance", Brad proposed to Bonnie, with her saying yes. Brad and Bonnie officially got married in season 5.
Dr. Amy Shaw (Lacey Chabert): A psychologist for the New York Rangers and Danny's girlfriend in season 2. She's been described as uptight but also accepting and sweet. She cares deeply for Danny but is constantly worried his feelings for Riley will drive him away. She eventually realizes Danny still has feelings for Riley and breaks up with him in the episode "Surprise!". In season 3, Amy shows up and announces that she is engaged to another man.
Fitch Douglas (Matt Dallas): Son of a millionaire and Riley's boyfriend in season 2. Fitch does not speak to his family for he feels their money corrupts them. He is described as being perfect, handsome, and charitable. He constantly travels to Africa to help the children and orphanages, having a long distance relationship with Riley. He is seemingly killed in Africa but later turns up alive at his memorial and proposes to Riley. She regretfully declines claiming she is not the one for him. In season 3, he comes back and Riley attempts to make him her rebound to forget Ben, but afterward he leaves again.
Philip Farlow (Christopher O'Shea): A college professor whom Riley briefly dated in season 3. He broke up with her, however, after realizing she still has feelings for Ben.
Georgie Farlow (Mallory Jansen): Philip's sister who briefly dated Ben, but later developed feelings for Danny in season 3. She is a fashion photographer for Vogue magazine. She doesn't like Riley, but begins to accept her for Danny's sake in the episode "Foos it or Lose It". She breaks up with Danny via voicemail at the beginning of season 4.
Angela (Mimi Gianopulos): The mother of Emma and the ex-girlfriend of Ben. When her daughter was 3 months old, she abandoned her on Ben's doorstep. She's an aspiring actress who had since moved to California.
Megan (Grace Phipps): A day care worker whom Ben dated in season 2. She broke up with him after he almost lost her dog.
Ray Wheeler (Greg Grunberg): Ben and Danny's father. He is divorced from Bonnie and doesn't get along with her. He makes amends with Bonnie by finally telling his family that he's in a relationship with a man named Steve (Robert Gant). Bonnie is happy for him, realizing it's "not her fault" that they got divorced. In season 3, it was shown on old home videos that he had feelings for a waiter while the boys were toddlers.
Sondra (Rachna Khatau): A neighbor who's known for her talkativeness and distinctive high-pitched voice. She is first seen in season 2, where she attends Kayla's and Ben's playgroups. In season 3, she is seen as an overbearing board president, shutting down the rooftop beach but later gets voted out of the position by Ben, Tucker and Danny. In season 4, she suspects her husband is cheating on her, and has an affair with Tucker.
Zoey (Jonna Walsh): A single mother living in the same building as Ben, introduced in season 5. She shares the same interests as Ben, but is reluctant to give in to her romantic feelings, because of Ben's immaturity.
Sam Saffe (Daniella Monet): The manager of the Bar on B, introduced in season 5 and the two started dating recently. Ben had a crush on her in high school and she was not very nice to Riley during that time.
Development and production
The series was given a green-light on February 2, 2012 and began production on March 28, 2012. On August 17, 2012, the series was renewed for a second season, which premiered on May 29, 2013.
On March 22, 2013, ABC Family announced that Baby Daddy was renewed for a third season, two months before the second season premiered. The third season premiered on January 15, 2014.
Baby Daddy was renewed for a fourth season on March 17, 2014. It premiered on October 22, 2014, with the series' first Halloween episode "Strip or Treat".
On February 27, 2015, the series was renewed for a fifth season. It premiered on February 3, 2016.
On June 27, 2016, Freeform renewed the show for a sixth season. It is set to premiere on March 13, 2017.
Broadcast
The series premiered in the United States on June 20, 2012, on ABC Family.
In New Zealand, the show premiered on TVNZ's TV2 beginning on December 14, 2013.
In Australia, the series airs on Fox8, with season 1 premiering 29 September 2013, with season 2 returning on 4 May 2014, and season 3 returning 24 August 2014.
In the United Kingdom, the series began airing on E4 on February 16, 2015. The second season started on March 2, 2015. Series 3 aired in April 2015. Series 4 aired in September 2015. Series 5 will premiere 5th September 2016.
In Israel, the series airs weeknights (two episodes each) since July 2016. In South Africa aired 5 September 2015.
In Italy. the series began airing on Joi Premium, pay channel on the DTT platform Mediaset Premium from 22 February 2013 to 22 March 2013. The second, third, fourth and fifth seasons were broadcast on the streaming platform Mediaset Infinity from 2015 to 2016.
