Star of Lifetime's "Drop Dead Diva," Brooke Elliott is into the third season of the popular cable show playing curvy, full-figured but shy attorney Jane, whose body has been taken over by a recently deceased model, Deb.

Packed with life lessons and messages about inner beauty and brains, the show attracts a bevy of big-name guest stars. This season, Paula Abdul, LeAnn Rimes and Kathy Griffin are among them. If you want to catch up, seasons one and two are out on DVD. The show airs at 8 p.m. Twin Cities time on Sundays.

Elliott began her career as a stage performer, touring nationally with "Wicked" and "Beauty and the Beast," before getting the starring role in "Drop Dead Diva," where her singing talents are occasionally showcased.

Q: Your role on "Drop Dead Diva" must seem a little schizophrenic. Have you adjusted to its demands?

A: You know, it's funny. It is schizophrenic to an extent and actually not in another way. It's Deb's soul in Jane's body, so everything comes from Deb's perspective first. It's her spirit, her point of view, it's her eyes viewing the world and Jane's characteristics kind of pepper on top of that. It is sometimes because you are thinking, "OK, does Deb know this? Does Jane know this? Who actually knows this?" [Laughs.]

It's really fun, and actually one of my favorite things I get to do with this role is to figure that out and decide what she knows and what she doesn't know and how it all plays out.

Q: As for society's image of what a desirable woman should look like, is it men's or women's opinions which are ultimately more influential?

A: I really don't know the answer. I think everything is so convoluted and messed up at this point that I don't know -- you know, is it the chicken or the egg? I don't know what started it. I don't know what's perpetuating it, whether it's men or women or both at this point. It's a really good question.

Q: Do you find you learn things from the characters you play, or is it strictly business?

A: I think I learn things from the experience of that particular job. I don't know if I've learned anything specific from Jane [the character]. I've learned from this whole entire "Drop Dead Diva" experience. There are so many things I've learned. So I'd have to say yes, I have absolutely learned things from the jobs I've had.

Q: So in doing this character, has anything surprised you about yourself?

A: Let me think. The thing that surprised me the most is how many people are really dealing with identity issues. It's about figuring out who you are and figuring out what you want out of life and what happens when your life doesn't turn out the way you thought it was going to.

I've learned from responses from people how many people really are doing that. They really are trying to figure out what they want and who they are and is it OK, the person I've been so far. That has been really satisfying, being part of a project that makes people think or connects to people on that level.

Q: How protective of your characters do you become?

A: I'm actually pretty protective. I've fallen in love with new Jane. I call her "new Jane" instead of "Jane." I am protective of her and if there is something that's been written [in the script] and I really disagree that Jane would be a part of, I do have a strong opinion about that. It's a really good question and I've actually never been asked that before.

Q: "Diva" gets a lot of high-profile guest stars. Do you still get starstruck?

A: I am completely starstruck. Completely; I mean, these are amazing people and I admire so much of their careers and what they've done and how strong they are. The fact that they want to lend their name and their time and their talent to our show is such a compliment. I am totally starstruck when they come on the set.