Jennifer Carpenter

Thanks to her indomitable performance as the unwitting sister of a serial killer on "Dexter" (Showtime, 2006-13), Jennifer Carpenter firmly established herself as a talented actress on the rise. Prior to her breakout role, Carpenter attracted attention with a critically lauded performance in "The Exorcism of Emily Rose" (2005), which in turn was brought about by a successful turn in a Broadway production of "The Crucible" - one that, on opening night, was hailed by the playwright himself. Though she could have developed a strong feature career, Carpenter opted instead for television with "Dexter," a wise choice given the amount of attention she received by quickly becoming a fan favorite. But the promise of a thriving career in all mediums - film, television and on stage - was practically assured.