Introduction

SHOW DESCRIPTION:

Midlife dating crisis. . . She has a whiney teenage daughter. He has a hunky teenage son who doesn't like to do homework. They're divorced. They fall hard for each other. Their kids and ex-spouses get all weird when the middle-aged lovebirds act like love-struck teenagers. The Cast: Sela Ward ("Sisters") plays vulnerable Lily Manning, the conflicted divorcee; Billy Campbell is Rick Sammler, the architect dad.

In this romantic family drama from Emmy Award-winning executive producers Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick (thirtysomething, My So-Called Life), the handsome Rick Sammler and lovely Lily Manning are two divorced parents who meet for the first time and begin the difficult yet humorous journey of "adult" courtship.

They have no idea how their romance will affect their kids and ex-spouses. Rick's been divorced for several years but hasn't gotten serious about anyone until Lily. Rick's son, Eli, and daughter, Jessie, are great teenagers who support their father's romantic pursuit, but Rick will soon have to deal with Eli's failing grades and a critical ex-wife. Lily has been recently separated and has devoted herself solely to creating the perfect home for her daughters, Zoe and Grace--until Rick. Grace, when not worrying that she's unattractive, insists that the perfect home has both parents in residence. Adding to this, Lily's ex-husband tries to make her feel guilty about dating so soon. Now Rick and Lily have a chance to start over, to find love Once and Again--if only their fears and families will let them.

Rick Lily white

Australian information:

PREMIERE DATE: May 23, 2000

AIR DATE/TIME: Tuesdays at 9:30 p.m.

NETWORK: 7 Network

PRODUCTION STUDIO: Bedford Falls Company Touchstone Television

UPDATE: Once & Again was cancelled after 6 episodes.

American informatilon:

PREMIERE DATE: Sep 21, 1999

AIR DATE/TIME: Tuesdays at 10:00 p.m.

NETWORK: ABC

PRODUCTION STUDIO: Bedford Falls Company Touchstone Television

UPDATE: The third season will screen at the new time of Friday 10/9c on ABC. Season 2 screened Wednesday 10/9c.

Once & Again

Like Pyramus and Thisbe, the young lovers who fell in love through the crack in the garden wall, Rick Sammler (Billy Campbell) and Lily Manning ( Sela Ward) find there is much that intervenes and tries to keep them apart. Lily has a high-strung, anxious nature; Rick emotionally guarded and stoic. Aside from their very real fears of new relationships, Rick and Linda both have the added pressure of kids to throw into the equation.

Lily, Grace and Zoe Manning

What if the price of love is too great?

For Lily that price involves her 14-year old daughter Grace (Julia Whelan) a bright super-sensitive girl who is just entering the world of boys herself. Grace is going through the awkward teenage stage when she fears she is overweight not pretty and will never get a boyfriends. Now her own mum is dating which doesn't help her delicate esteem. Likewise, Lily's nine-year old daughter Zoe (Meredith Deane) is not happy that love is in the air for her mother either, because she still hopes her parents will get back together.

Rick, Eli and Jessie Sammler

Rick's two children, 16 year-old Eli (Shane West) and 12 year-old Jessie (Evan Rachel Wood), want the best for their father, but they have needs of their own too. Eli is a good-looking kid who excels in sport and dating, but when it comes to the classroom, his disciplines isn't there.

Against all these outside forces, Rick and Lily have only their newfound love to protect them. They must confront and master their own fears as well as the fears of their families – or walk away from this chance at renewed happiness.

As they grow closer they realise that the price of walking away might be the highest of them all.