Jemima Rooper

When London born-star Jemima first expressed a desire to act, aged eight, her TV journalist mum was less than impressed. "She was devastated," remembers the actress. "She said, 'Please don't be an actress. Be a doctor or lawyer'." Undeterred, the youngster followed her dream and, since scoring her first professional job aged 12 in indie flick Higher Mortals, has worked steadily. Jemima's big break came when she was picked to portray strong-willed tomboy George in the 1996 TV adaptation of Enid Blyton classic The Famous Five. A variety of small screen roles followed, including a key part in US supernatural thriller Hex, the Channel 4 drama As If and crime drama The Time Of Your Life. The young actress has also made inroads on the big screen, starring alongside Hilary Swank and Scarlett Johansson in 2006's The Black Dahlia.