Style and Substance

by Farrah Weinstein

Susanna Thompson has for the past three years played the anguished ex-wife of Billy Campbell on the TV series "once and Again". But now she has something new to fret about.

ABC canceled the show; the series finale airs tomorrow at 9 p.m. "I'm extremely sad," said Thompson, who found out by email that the show was canceled. "I had no idea how big my little bit of hope [that the show wasn't canceled] was when I heard."

"The critics loved it and adored it and fought for us. The 'save our show' campaign has been overwhelming."

The show was "an amazing, beautiful ride for me," said Thompson. And now that the ride is over, she is keeping her fingers crossed that she'll go on to projects as well-respected as that dramatic series was.

Since her days playing a Borg queen in "Stat Trek Voyager" (in one episode she had to kiss another woman) and starring in TV movies like "The Oksana Baiul Story", Thompson has starred in flims such as "Ghosts of Mississippi", "Random Hearts", and, most recently, "Dragonfly", opposite Kevin Costner.

But her dream is to go back to her roots: stage acting.

"That's on the top of my list", said the versatile actress, who studied drama as an undergraduate at San Diego State University.

"It would be a dream come true. Anything that Tom Stoppard has written. I love his work. I would love to do a classic. Or be Masha in 'Three Sister'."

q:Describe your personal style.
a:It varies. If I'm going out, I look better in classic cuts. I don't like the in-your-face stuff. I love softness in hidden things, and I love the colors of funky, ethnic pieces, and the patterns and designs. My indulgence is cashmere sweaters. I throw on one with some jeans and boots, and then I go.

q:What do you wear when relaxing?
a:When I'm home, it's about comfort. I'm the type of person that I need to rip things off my body and be in a robe.

q:What was your last splurge?
a:Beautiful Japanes silk window panels from Anthropologie. I'm so drawn to that style. It always seems comfortable and exciting and different.

q:Favorite designers?
a:J. Crew, Banana Republic, Gap. I like popping into BCBG here and there. I love Giorgio Armani-that's very classic. And Heidi Weisel. Her clothes have elements that are see-through, feminine and, at the same time, not overt.

q:What do you do to relax?
a:Take in nature. I love lounging with a group of people that I love, like for a late Sunday breakfast on Sunday. I love being by the ocean, in the mountains, and the desert in winter.

q:How do you stay in shape?
a:Mainly walking, but I do run and go to the YMCA. I do all sorts of things: cross-training one day, spinning classes the next. I try to stretch a lot and do a lot of yoga. If I'm traveling, I'll try to run and do traditional sorts of exercises.

q:Do you follow a special diet?
a:Yes. Last year I was introduced to a constitutional acupuncturist. He believes that there are eight different body types. In his testing, he confirmed that I was a vegetarian, which I was for the past eight years. Within that, there are certain food groups that are better for me. Simple things like a lot of greens, rice and fish. He's taken me off of root vegetables like yams, garlic and potatoes.

q:How do you take care of yourself?
a:two years ago, I was introduced to Aida Thibiant in Beverly Hills. I always use their products for my face. And Kiehl's Creme de Corps body mosturizer.

q:What do you use to accessorize?
a:I have three rings that have been with me through theater that I've done, when I performed in the play "Agnes of God." I have a ring from the movie "Dragonfly", and I have a ring from someone that I love.

q:Whose style do you most admire?
a:I love the beautiful, simple, feminine style of Juliette Binoche. The French incorporate so much beauty in their design, and yet it's so comfortable looking. And then I love the straight-forward feminine style of Susan Sarandon. __ NY Post (April 7, 2002)

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