Once and Again - Where Are They Now?

While watching TV over the weeked, I saw previews for a B-level horror film entitled The Haunting of Molly Hartley, and among the myriad images of unknown actresses featured in the film was Marin Hinkle. Upon seeing her, I thought to myself, "Why, Marin, are you in such crap? You're a gifted actress and should be given better roles." This thought brought back memories of the series Once and Again, which featured Marin, and starred Sela Ward and Billy Campbell as two forysomething divorcees who start a relationship with each other. I'm not exagerrating when I state that the series was one of the greatest television shows ever. It was sad when the series eventually got cancelled, after only three seasons, in 2002, and it's sad to see the talent of the series' cast members be squandered in crap films and television. This post is dedicated to the actors from the show and the work they have done since the shows cancellation - a sort of where are they now?

Sela Ward (Lily Manning) - Had a recurring role on House as Dr. House's ex-girlfriend, or ex-wife, or something like that - I don't know. Also appeared in crap movies like Dirty Dancing: Havana Nights and The Day After Tomorrow. Sigh, where are you Sela Ward?

Billy Campbell (Rick Sammler) - Beat up J.Lo in Enough, and had recurring roles on TV series The 4400, The O.C. and Shark. In none of those appearances did he show his ass, like on Once and Again. I miss rear male nudity on network TV. Remember the days of seeing attractive butts on NYPD Blue - it's time to bring them back.

Marin Hinkle (Judy Brooks - Lily's younger sister) - Currently sluming it on the craptacular Two and a Half Men and bad horror films The Haunting of Molly Hartley and Quarantine. Last season she was to have a three episode guest appearance on ABC's current family drama Brothers & Sisters, as Rob Lowe's ex-wife, but because of the strike-shortened season only made a brief appearance in one episode.

Susanna Thompson (Karen Sammler - Rick's ex-wife) - Was on the very short-lived TV series The Book of Daniel. Damn you NBC for canceling that so quickle. Apparently has a recurring role on CBS's NCSI: Without a Case Unit - it's all the same show. A better drama series should really cast her, since she play's the cold brittleness so well.

Jeffrey Nordling (Jake Manning - Lily's ex-husband) - Was a regular on Courtney Cox's ridiculous series Dirt, which was cancelled after two seasons and is set to co-star in the new season of 24, which is completely past it's prime.

Evan Rachel Wood (Jessie Sammler - Rick's daughter) - Has become sort of a movie star. Should have been nominated for an Oscar for thirteen, after receiving Golden Globe and SAG nomination for the performance. (I blame it all on Keisha Castle Hughes) Hasn't really given a great performance since then. She displayed she had a decent singin voice in last year's Across the Universe, though the movie was total dreck. Currently is dating Marilyn Manson, which I still don't know what to say about it.

Shane West (Eli Sammler - Rick's son) - Did a couple of teen movies and then became a cast member of ER. Um that's about it, though apparently he also has a band, so there's that.

Todd Field (David Cassilli - Rick's adorable business partner) - Has become an admirable writer-director, nominated three times ofr an Oscar - twice for Adapted Screenplay (In the Bedroom and Little Children) and once for Best Picture, as a producer of In the Bedroom. Is currently working on adapting Cormac McCarthy's novel Blood Meridian into a film.

Julia Whelan and Meredith Deane (Grace and Zoe Manning - Lily's daughters) Have no idea what happened to them, if they're still into acting or if they decided to focus on school instead, but they were good child actors. It was refreshing to see roles written for kids that didn't portray them as too cutesy or too wise for their age.