"ONCE AND AGAIN" (Fridays from 10:00-11:00 p.m., ET)

"Once and Again" returns for a third season this fall as Edward Zwick and Marshall Herskovitz, creators of "thirtysomething" and "My So- Called Life," continue to bring their singular vision of modern life to television with a Golden Globe-nominated drama series about two families brought together by the second marriage of Lily Manning, played by Emmy and Golden Globe Award-winning actress Sela Ward, and Rick Sammler, Golden Globe nominee Billy Campbell, who have discovered another chance at love and genuine commitment after divorce.

Their relationship, however, has not been without challenge; parenting, divorce, infidelity, financial hardship and even death have pushed them to the limit, both as a couple and as individuals. But they continue to move forward with a life together while trying to maintain a semblance of normalcy in the lives of their conjoined families.

Lily has found the strength to move forward with her life, grappling with her new identity and the challenges of coping with a new husband, stepchildren and an overcrowded home. Her relationship with Rick has given her courage and a renewed sense of confidence to help her deal with another career change and take a more tolerant, open- minded approach to her ex-husband, Jake (Jeffrey Nordling). Both Jake's personal and business lives have taken an overwhelming turn, and he has been forced to find a new career and to embrace parenthood for a third time with Tiffany (Ever Carradine), a woman he doesn't love. Lily's sister, Judy (Marin Hinkle), has recently become successful in business but still struggles miserably in love.

Rick, too, has had more than his share of personal and professional challenges. His commitment to Lily has strengthened his resolve to move forward with his life and to face the daily difficulties of parenting two teenagers. He doesn't always successfully maintain a safe distance from the constant scrutiny and criticism of his ex- wife, Karen (Susanna Thompson). Though she has come to terms with being single again, Karen is extremely uncomfortable sharing her children and relinquishing some of her authority to Lily.

Seventeen-year-old Grace (Julia Whelan), who has grown stronger and much more understanding of her mother's decisions, still lives with constant confusion about her role in the world of boys and in her new family, while eleven-year-old Zoe's (Meredith Deane) limitless energy and enthusiasm have been dampened by frustration at having to share her sister, her mother and her home with two new siblings, and to adapt to having a new father in her life.

Now that eighteen-year-old Eli has finished school, he's been unable to move forward into adult life with any real enthusiasm. His struggles are compounded by his parents' fervent attempts to steer him away from his one true love, music. His frustration has driven him to rebel them and to rely more upon his seemingly safer new stepfamily, especially Grace.

Fifteen-year-old Jessie (Evan Rachel Wood) continues to struggle with her self-image and an eating disorder, while having new, unfamiliar thoughts about her developing sexuality. Her inherent perfectionism and need to please make dealing with her new stepfamily even more challenging.

Against all these forces, Rick and Lily now have their love, their family and their new commitment to sustain them. They must continue to confront their own flaws and struggles, as well as those of their children, in order for their new family to survive and to fully embrace this rare second chance at happiness.

"Once and Again" stars Sela Ward as Lily Manning, Billy Campbell as Rick Sammler, Julia Whelan as Grace Manning, Shane West as Eli Sammler, Meredith Deane as Zoe Manning, Evan Rachel Wood as Jessie Sammler, Susanna Thompson as Karen Sammler, Jeffrey Nordling as Jake Manning, Marin Hinkle as Judy Brooks, Ever Carradine as Tiffany and Steven Weber as Samuel Blue.

"Once and Again" is executive-produced and created by Marshall Herskovitz and Edward Zwick. The one-hour drama series, which premiered on September 21, 1999, is from The Bedford Falls Company in association with Touchstone Television. __ ABC Network (October 5, 2001)